November 15, 2011
From GreatFallsTribune.com
A Montana judge has ordered an Idaho man to pay $13,205 and forfeit
hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for life for illegally
obtaining a resident hunting license and killing a trophy bighorn sheep
in the Missouri River Breaks.
Roger J. Woodworth, 64, of Hayden, Idaho, was sentenced Nov. 6 by
state district Judge W. Nels Swandal. The sentence was based on a plea
agreement with the Fergus County Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say that In 2009, Woodworth illegally bought a resident
hunting license, then applied and was drawn in the lottery for an
either-sex bighorn license in Hunting District 482 in the Missouri
Breaks north of Lewistown.
In 2010, FWP game warden Todd Anderson investigated a TIPMONT call
with information regarding the residency status of Woodworth.
In August 2010, FWP game wardens went to the home of a relative of
Woodworth in Stevensville and seized the mounted sheep head. At the same
time, FWP game wardens with the assistance of Idaho Fish and Game
interviewed Woodworth at his Idaho residence.
Woodworth was charged with felony unlawful possession of a trophy
bighorn sheep and hunting bighorn sheep without a valid license, a
misdemeanor.
Terms of the plea agreement call for Woodworth to:
» Pay a fine of $735 plus court costs of $75; » Pay $12,395
restitution to the state.
» Give up his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for life.
» Give up the bighorn sheep mount.
Woodworth also agreed to plead guilty to illegally obtaining resident
hunting licenses in unrelated cases in Missoula and Lewis and Clark
counties and pay fines of $600. In return FWP agreed to drop the felony
charge.
