Elk Poached in Great Smoky Mountains NP
07-19-2010, 05:09 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Indy
Posts: 61
Elk Poached in Great Smoky Mountains NP
I took the family to Cataloochee Valley in the GSMNP at the end of May, and the Elk Bugle Corp volunteers down there told us that an elk had been poached in the park the previous fall (the volunteers had the antlers with them to show the kids). According to the volunteers, the guy insisted he didn't know he was inside a national park (I say BS - there are only two ways into Cataloochee and both have signs, and consists of 45 min to an hour drive down a windy 1.5 lane gravel/dirt road).
Anyway, I've been trying to find out more info about the incident, and here was the verdict:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...heavy-fine6246
"U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Howell last Thursday sentenced Mr. Cromer to 150 days imprisonment. In addition, the man’s firearm, a Browning .270 caliber rifle autographed by Richard Petty, was ordered by the court to be forfeited to the government and he was ordered to pay $8,384 in restitution to the park.
Furthermore, Mr. Cromer had to surrender his hunting license for two years, and he was banned from all national parks for two years."
more info about the poaching incident:
http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_...e=main_article
http://skinnymoose.com/moosedropping...national-park/
Anyway, I've been trying to find out more info about the incident, and here was the verdict:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...heavy-fine6246
"U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Howell last Thursday sentenced Mr. Cromer to 150 days imprisonment. In addition, the man’s firearm, a Browning .270 caliber rifle autographed by Richard Petty, was ordered by the court to be forfeited to the government and he was ordered to pay $8,384 in restitution to the park.
Furthermore, Mr. Cromer had to surrender his hunting license for two years, and he was banned from all national parks for two years."
more info about the poaching incident:
http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_...e=main_article
http://skinnymoose.com/moosedropping...national-park/
07-20-2010, 11:14 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kittitas, Wa.
Posts: 462
The fines and forfitures were not enough, he should have given up his vehicle as well plus his house if he took the head there!!!!!...plus he should never be allowed to hunt again..as it is abundantly clear that he is not a hunter but a poacher!!!!
07-20-2010, 01:22 PM
#4
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Indy
Posts: 61
He didn't take the head - or any part of the animal. He couldn't load it by himself so he drove ~100 miles to get his Bubba buddies to help him. They all told him no way they were helping, and about that quick, Park Rangers were knocking on his door from a vehicle description and plate number. I'm guessing the only reason they didn't take his vehicle is because the animal was never loaded in it. Instead he left the carcass in a location where bears are known to hang out.
07-20-2010, 03:21 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kittitas, Wa.
Posts: 462
He didn't take the head - or any part of the animal. He couldn't load it by himself so he drove ~100 miles to get his Bubba buddies to help him. They all told him no way they were helping, and about that quick, Park Rangers were knocking on his door from a vehicle description and plate number. I'm guessing the only reason they didn't take his vehicle is because the animal was never loaded in it. Instead he left the carcass in a location where bears are known to hang out.
MY bad...I read that the body was found ...so I ASSUMED he had taken the head and left the rest!!! I'd still take his vehicle as it was used to get to and from the crime scene!!!!......Like I said the penalty was not stiff enough!!!!!
