Colorado: Meeker outfitter gets jail time for baiting game

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Outfitter Dennis Eugene Rodebaugh sentenced to 41 months in prison for numerous wildlife violations

sd

A Colorado hunting will lose his business, go to jail and pay big fines for baiting deer and elk. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In a classic tale of poacher versus game warden, a Meeker man apparently carried on a hunting business using illegal baiting to lure wildlife for his out-of-state clients, perhaps for as long as 20 years.

After other local residents tipped them off, state and federal agents launched an eight-year investigation that culminated last week, when U.S. District Court Judge Christine Arguello sentencing Dennis Eugene Rodebaugh, 72, owner of D & S Outfitters of Meeker, to 41 months in federal prison. He must also pay $37,390 in restitution to the state and forfeit two all-terrain vehicles and a trailer used in the commission of his crimes.

In September 2012, a federal jury in Denver found Rodebaugh guilty of six felony violations of the Lacey Act, a federal law that prohibits the transportation of illegally taken wildlife across state lines.

Baiting wildlife is illegal in Colorado and most of Rodebaugh’s clients were out-of-state hunters. As part of his sentence, Rodebaugh must also pay a $7500 fine that will go to the Lacey Act Reward Fund.

“This individual showed grievous disregard for wildlife laws, a considerable lack of ethics and he never expressed remorse,” said lead investigator Bailey Franklin, district wildlife manager in Meeker. “It took tremendous resources and man-hours to bring him to justice and we are very satisfied with the sentence.” (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, hunting, recreation, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Colorado: Elk poacher hit with $11,500 fine

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Grand County case solved with help from hunters

Bull elk, Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo courtesy Kim Fenske.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A West Virginia man will pay an $11,500 fine for poaching Colorado wildlife. The fine includes a $10,000 penalty that applies when trophy-quality wildlife is poached — in this case a 6×6 bull elk taken on Devil’s Thumb Ranch property in Tabernash earlier this month.

David Lee Burner, 61, was cited for “hunting on private property without permission” and “illegal possession” of the elk after wildlife officers got a tip from another hunter.

“We first received a tip from a concerned hunter who witnessed a suspected trespassing incident in Devil’s Thumb Ranch,” said Lyle Sidener, area wildlife manager in Hot Sulphur Springs. “After the ranch owners found evidence of trespass on their property, they informed us and then assisted us in the investigation.” (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, hunting, recreation | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Key federal wildlife funding measure turns 75 this month

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Pittman-Robertson Act crucial to maintaining Colorado game herds

Funding derived from the Pittman-Robertson Act helped Colorado establish a moose population. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Without much fanfare, wildlife managers around the country are celebrating a milestone this month, as the Pittman-Robertson Act turns 75.

If you’ve never heard of the Pittman-Robertson Act, you’re probably not alone, but if you value wildlife, you’ve probably benefited from what might is probably the single most effective funding tool for wildlife management and restoration.

Along with a companion measure — The Dingell-Johnson Act — passed several years later, the 11 percent excise tax on firearms and ammunition has helped restore charismatic species like wild turkeys, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. In Colorado, the funds have also been used to help pay for management and operations at 300 state wildlife areas. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, federal government, fishing, hunting, recreation, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Colorado: Arapahoe & Roosevelt NF to close 29,000 acres for hazard tree work after visitors ignore earlier restrictions

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Grand County hunters to affected by forest closures

A large chunk of the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest will be closed for several weeks in late summer and fall.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service and local authorities in Grand County will be closing 29,000 acres of Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest lands for several weeks starting in early September to cut beetle-killed hazard trees from along roads and trails in the area. The closure is expected to run from Sept. 4 to Nov. 15, affecting hunters, hikers, cyclists and other forest visitors.

The widepsread restrictions are being implemented after locals and visitors ignored earlier closures for smaller projects in the area, forcing the Forest Service to shut down summer logging operations for safety reasons. In one of the areas hit hardest by pine beetles, the Forest Service wants to remove dead and dying trees from along more than 150 miles of  high-use, forest service roads and trails over a several year period.

Along with local community leaders, special interest groups and Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, the agency decided a larger, more enforceable closure area was necessary, both for public safety and to complete the work efficiently.

Winter Park, Fraser and Grand County community leaders have re-affirmed their support for these projects and offered assistance in both law enforcement patrols and working with the public. Information will be posted at all the major entries to the closure areas as well as at the Winter Park Visitor’s Center, Fraser Visitor’s Center, Winter Park Resort and through local businesses and lodging companies. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Colorado, hiking, hunting, recreation, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

NRA opposing efforts to regulate lead hunting ammo

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A California condor in flight.

Gun group intervenes in lawsuit aimed at stemming lead poisoning in wildlife

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Even though there are plenty of modern, less toxic alternatives available, the National Rifle Association doesn’t want the EPA to address lead hunting ammunition with new regulations.

The gun rights group earlier this month filed legal motions to try and block the EPA from protecting wildlife and people from the effects of poisonous lead hunting ammunition left the wild.

Paranoid as always, the group sees any attempt to regulate anything to do with hunting as an attack on its misguided interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, hunting, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Colorado: Poachers nabbed at I-70 checkpoint

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Elk near Bailey, Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE/JCHURCHILL.

Most hunters in compliance with regs; wildlife officials plan more highway inspections

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —Colorado wildlife officials who checked hunters on I-70 in November said they were pleased that most of the people contacted during the wildlife check were in compliance with state laws and hunting regulations.

About 300 hunters were interviewed during two-day operation at Loma, west of Grand Junction. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers issues 22 citations for various infractions including illegal possession of wildlife and failing to provide evidence of the sex of their harvest. One driver is being investigated for being in possession of 78 white bass and two walleye. The source of the fish is still under investigation. Officers seized all illegally harvested wildlife. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, hunting, recreation, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: New backcountry hut opens for winter

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Privately built cabin near Tennessee Pass sleeps 8 people

First snow at Point Breeze Cabin on October 1. PHOTO COURTESY BRENT RIMEL.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado backcountry enthusiasts will have a new destination this winter, as the Point Breeze Cabin opens for the winter season. Point Breeze is the second cabin built and owned by Lee Rimel, a long-time Leadville local and steward of the area. The cabin is located at an elevation of 10,500 feet and is within a couple hundred yards of the popular Continental Divide Cabin. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, hiking, hunting, recreation, skiing and riding | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado biologists to hold elk symposium in Steamboat

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Information session will address winter impacts to big game herds

A herd of elk near Buena Vista, Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY DAVE HANNIGAN/COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After watching elk grow weak and die during last year’s record-breaking snowfall, some residents of the Steamboat Springs region decided to take matters into their own hands.

They started feeding the elk, which may have saved a few individual animals, but can cause problems for the larger population, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists. The best way to ensure healthy big game populations is with large-scale habitat improvement projects, the biologists said. Read an in-depth story on this issue in Steamboat Today.

“Last winter, due to the deep snow and difficult conditions, we had elk move into town and many people saw firsthand the impact an especially harsh winter can have on wildlife,” said Danielle Domson, wildlife manager for the Steamboat Springs South District. “The situation caused some concern, but we want to explain to everyone that what they saw was actually a natural part of an elk’s life cycle. Colorado Parks and Wildlife information big game management is online here (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, hunting, Snow and weather, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Too many turkeys?

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Wild turkeys are becoming a nuisance to farmers and landowners in some parts of eastern Colorado.

State parks and wildlife commission to consider changes to hunting regulations to reduce conflicts

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado’s turkey restoration program has been so successful that large flocks of the wild birds are becoming a nuisance to farmers and homeowners in parts of the state. As a result, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will consider some changes to turkey hunting regulations at its Sept. 15-16 session in Colorado Springs

Current regulations provide few options to deal with the turkeys during late winter, when limited food resources cause the problems to escalate, so the commission will consider ways to curb their populations. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, hunting, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Colorado: Can predator control stem mule deer decline?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Why is Colorado's mule deer herd declining? PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

Public invited to Aug. 15 information session in Meeker

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado wildlife researchers say the deer herd in the northwestern part of the state is shriveling due to a perfect storm of severe winters, drought, predation, and increased traffic from oil and gas exploration.

The decline has spurred some talk of predator control, which could mean increased hunting of mountain lions and coyotes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials will approach that and other topics related to the state’s mule deer herd at an Aug. 15 meeting at the Fairfield Center in Meeker ( 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 200 Main Street). (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, Environment, hunting, public lands, recreation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 5,597 other followers