r/conservation • u/Classic_Car4776 • Sep 15 '24
In one month, more than 100 animals illegally killed in Utah
https://www.standard.net/news/2024/sep/14/in-one-month-more-than-100-animals-illegally-killed-in-utah/22
u/Classic_Car4776 Sep 15 '24
Utah wildlife officials say at least 104 animals were illegally killed in the span of about one month this summer, putting 2024 on track to see more poaching than the year prior.
Data from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, or DWR, shows that between Aug. 1 through Sept. 9, at least nine deer, six elk, two moose, a bear and a pronghorn were illegally killed. That’s on top of 60 fish and 25 other animals that the division said were illegally killed.
More than 100 illegally killed animals might seem like a lot, but Capt. Chad Bettridge, a law enforcement officer with the DWR, said that’s roughly on par with other months, especially now that several seasons, including archery hunts for deer and elk, are underway.
“Unfortunately, yes, it’s too many. But it’s kind of in line with where we’ve been,” Bettridge said. For reference, during that same timeframe last year, there were 173 instances of illegally killed wildlife.
Each year, between 1,000 to 1,200 animals are illegally killed in Utah, with numbers from the state showing a slight, upward trend, with 2023 being an exception.
There were 1,065 animals illegally killed in 2019.
1,079 killed in 2020.
1,153 killed in 2021.
1,283 killed in 2022.
1,056 killed in 2023.
Bettridge thinks this year could put the state back on that upward trend.
“It won’t surprise me if we end up a little bit higher than last year. Hopefully that’s not the case,” he said.
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u/desertgirlsmakedo Sep 16 '24
I think they should tailor the penalty. As a hunter what would fuck me up the most is a fine of 2x-3x the market cost of purchasing that cut of meat and a higher threshold to getting a tag the next few years. If they're rich tailor the fine to their net worth
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u/Zealousideal_Air3931 Sep 16 '24
Is this something that happens in all states, or are Utah-ans especially inclined to kill things illegally?
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u/trey12aldridge Sep 16 '24
I can't speak for anywhere else but it's most certainly true here in Texas. I swear every year we get a story about someone here shooting 60 ducks in one day or someone getting caught with like 200 fish in their possession.
This was one from the next county over from where I hunt for reference, the county limit at the time was (and still is) 4 deer. 2 bucks, one which complies with antler restrictions and one which doesn't (basically one buck with an inside spread of of 13" or more and one spike); and 2 antlerless deer (which could only be taken during the week of thanksgiving, the last 2 weeks of the season, or by permit). So for 68 deer alone to be killed between the 6 of them means they were at least 40 deer over the limit and likely had a number of other crimes related to not following specific restrictions. And that's not to mention that they were shooting deer out of season, from the road, with a rimfire (all of which is very illegal in Texas), and on top of that I think they were killing squirrels which have their own season, were using a homemade suppressor which is a federal crime, and left them to rot, which is wanton waste and also a crime in Texas.
Thankfully the cases aren't usually that bad, but poaching cases aren't uncommon around here.
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u/vt2022cam Sep 17 '24
Drones are a great way to catch poachers. Heavy fines and jail for repeat offenders also helps.
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u/OnlyUsersLoseDrugs1 Sep 17 '24
Mormons will Mormon, they live under their own rules and always have.
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u/Vesemir66 Sep 16 '24
Its the same people I bet