Elkhunter
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Federal charges are pending against a 29 year-old California man who illegally shot a cow moose in Grand Teton National Park last month. Ryan Weber, could face prosecution charges and fines of up to $8,000 in
connection with the incident. Weber was a first-time elk hunter in the park, and mistook a cow moose and her calf for an elk cow and calf in the Kelly
Hayfields area, east of Blacktail Butte. After killing the adult moose, Weber approached the carcass and discovered his mistake. He immediately left the area without contacting park rangers. Two other hunters saw the shooting, and reported the incident to Park rangers. Thanks to information from the witnesses, rangers were able to track Weber to his home in California.
Grand Teton rangers, working with a National Park Service special agent
from Joshua Tree National Park, contacted Weber, who confessed to the shooting. He is facing charges that could include illegal taking of the wrong species, wanton waste of wildlife, failure to report, and wildlife restitution penalties. The restitution value for any moose is listed at $7,500. Park officials remind hunters that they are absolutely responsible to positively identify the animal they are about to shoot, and when in doubt,
they should not take the shot. If an animal is mistakenly shot, hunters should immediately contact a park ranger and report their error. Charges and penalties may be reduced if a hunter promptly and honestly reports this type of mistake.
connection with the incident. Weber was a first-time elk hunter in the park, and mistook a cow moose and her calf for an elk cow and calf in the Kelly
Hayfields area, east of Blacktail Butte. After killing the adult moose, Weber approached the carcass and discovered his mistake. He immediately left the area without contacting park rangers. Two other hunters saw the shooting, and reported the incident to Park rangers. Thanks to information from the witnesses, rangers were able to track Weber to his home in California.
Grand Teton rangers, working with a National Park Service special agent
from Joshua Tree National Park, contacted Weber, who confessed to the shooting. He is facing charges that could include illegal taking of the wrong species, wanton waste of wildlife, failure to report, and wildlife restitution penalties. The restitution value for any moose is listed at $7,500. Park officials remind hunters that they are absolutely responsible to positively identify the animal they are about to shoot, and when in doubt,
they should not take the shot. If an animal is mistakenly shot, hunters should immediately contact a park ranger and report their error. Charges and penalties may be reduced if a hunter promptly and honestly reports this type of mistake.