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Show Wildlife Violators Prosecuted For Variety of Offenses m Thus far, the 1975 elk season has brought about the arrest and subsequent conviction convic-tion of 29 Utah elk hunters, according to T. Dean Spack-man, Spack-man, assistant law enforcement enforce-ment chief. Spackman said that this number was not a complete list of all the violators who were ticketed during this year's hunt. It includes only those who have been to court and were convicted. The most often cited misdemeanor mis-demeanor to date is for making . unlawful application for a permit. By law, hunters are allowed to apply for only one elk permit each year. Sentences Senten-ces for a typical Class B misdemeanor misde-meanor (such as applying for two permits) vary from an average fine of S50 up to the maximum penalty of $299 fine and six months in jail. Violations categorized as Class A misdemeanors include the endangered species list. Maximum Maxi-mum penalty for Class A violations is a $1,000 fine andor one year in jail. Citations for carrying a gun on a game preserve and having a loaded gun in a vehicle were the second most frequent violations. Several hunters were guilty of hunting outside designated elk hunting units, while approximately the same number of errant hunters hunt-ers took cows in the bull only season. Spackman indicated that citations are a necessary part of game management procedures. pro-cedures. "Uncontrolled shooting shoot-ing of our game species would eventually reduce the number of animals necessary to main- tain a breeding population. 1 Once that number is reduced . too far, the species is J endangered," he said. ; "It's only the small minority ! of hunters that break the rules. 1 Most good hunters make every effort to be informed of the i regulations and to abide by them. Those who do not, however, could cause serious population depletions and upset sex ratios by harvesting unauthorized animals. It is necessary to control those individuals who are unable to see the long range effects of i their actions." The negative effects, however, how-ever, are not limited solely to the animals. The wrong-doings of some hunters reflect a bad image on all other hunters. And as previously stated, most hunters are conscientious, ethical people. Aside from the damage done to game animals and the unethical aspersions cast upon many hunters by the acts of a few. the violations can be costly. Last year $117,310.25 in fines for hunting and fishing related violations were paid to the state. During 1974 these same violations resulted in a total of 236 days spent in jail. Spackman concluded by saying, "We are hopeful tht Utah hunters will take the initiative to 'police their own back yards'." If and when that becomes a consistent proposition, proposi-tion, the effectiveness of Utah's game management programs will provide more hours of recreation in the out-of-doors for a greater number of sportsmen. By keeping careful watch over their hunting activities, sportsmen can help to keep game animal populations in balance. Law Enforcement personnel, due to the size of the huntable territory in Utah, are unable to cover ,as much countryside as their job demands. The ethical hunter can help by reporting violations viola-tions and by insisting that other hunters abide by the regulations. Spackman said, "Hunters do offer a great deal of assistance to Division officers. Many arrests are made from the initial information informa-tion given to the Division by other hunters." Until all hunters obey the hunting laws, violators will continue to be prosecuted, and those who insist on breaking the laws will have to pay the price. |