CPW destroys $1000 worth of gear used to poach moose
(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — A Kansas man has been fined $17,000 and had all his gear destroyed—including his phone—after pleading guilty to poaching a moose in Teller County, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
CPW said wildlife officer Travis Sauder conducted a two-year investigation into the killing of a moose in Teller County in September of 2021 after members of the public sent a tip to CPW that someone had illegally shot a bull moose with an arrow in the woods north of Divide. When CPW officers arrived at the scene, they found the remains of a moose, and the investigation revealed that the poacher had shot the moose and attempted to remove its head, eventually discarding the carcass and trying to hide it with branches and sticks.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kansas man convicted of illegally poaching bull moose in 2021
CPW said Officer Sauder tracked the suspect, 33-year-old Steven Samuelson, to Kansas. Officer Sauder confronted Samuelson at his job, and Samuelson pleaded guilty in Teller County District Court in July of 2023 to multiple charges:
Felony Willful Destruction of Wildlife
Misdemeanor charges of Hunting Without a Proper and Valid Big Game License
Aggravated Illegal Possession of Wildlife
Failure to Prepare Wildlife for Human Consumption
Hunting in a Careless Manner
Illegal Take of Wildlife
Samuelson received a two-year deferred jail sentence on the felony charge, meaning it will be waived if he meets the terms of the plea agreement and two years unsupervised probation. He was also fined $17,000 and lost all of his gear, including rifles, knives, a bow, arrows, binoculars, and even his cell phone.
The gear was valued at over $1,000 and CPW said all of it was destroyed so it can never be used to commit another wildlife crime. CPW said the destruction of the gear serves as an example of what happens when you poach in Colorado.
Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Courtesy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Courtesy of CPW; A privately owned game camera captured still photos and images showing Steven Samuelson of Oakley, Kansas, as he stalked and illegally killed a bull moose in Teller County in September 2021. Courtesy of CPW; A privately owned game camera captured still photos and images showing Steven Samuelson of Oakley, Kansas, as he stalked and illegally killed a bull moose in Teller County in September 2021.
“As the agency responsible for perpetuating the wildlife resources of the state, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will not tolerate poaching,” said Tim Kroening, Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region. “Our officers are determined to stop people like Mr. Samuelson who think they can simply go kill any animal they like. I want to make it clear: Mr. Samuelson was not a hunter. He is a poacher.”
Have information on a possible crime against wildlife? Call CPW, or report it anonymously to Operation Game Thief (OGT). Reach OGT by calling, toll-free, 1-877-COLO-OGT (or 877-265-6648). Verizon users can dial #OGT. You can also email CPW at game.thief@state.co.us.
A $500 reward is offered for information on cases involving big game or endangered species, while $250 is offered for information on turkey and $100 for fishing and small game cases.
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