Community action nabs snowmobile violators/poachers (2006-01-31)

An incident that both outraged and organized a community has resulted in two men being charged in Itasca County Court with using a motor vehicle to take a wild animal according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Minnesota Conservation Officer Gary Lefebvre of Pengilly investigated an incident that occurred Dec. 20, on Island Lake, near Bovey, where snowmobilers intentionally ran over and killed a deer. Lefebvre discovered the doe had two broken hind legs, a broken right front leg and the throat cut. News of the incident angered many local residents.

"To say people, many avid snowmobilers, were very upset would be an understatement, they were outraged," said DNR Enforcement District Supervisor Dave Olsen of Grand Rapids.

"They were also determined to find out who did it." Initially the Itasca Snowmobile Alliance and Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) advertised a $500 reward.

"After ten days there were few leads, but word of the incident got around," Olsen said. "Local citizens opened their wallets and the reward jumped to $2,500."

While the community was doing their part, Lefebvre, other conservation officers, and the Itasca County Sheriff's Department continued their investigation. Blood trails were followed. Snowmobile tracks near the scene were retraced. Residents and businesses near Island Lake were also interviewed. On Jan. 9, Lefebvre received a tip that would solve the case.

Itasca County Attorney Jack Muhar indicated the defendants, Dale W. Guyer, 20, Coleraine, and Gabriel W. Hill, 19, Bovey, were charged with using a motor vehicle to take a wild animal. Each faces a possible maximum fine of $1,000 and restitution of $500.

"Over the years, the DNR has received valuable information through citizen and community involvement assisting us in ending a variety of poaching activities," said Olsen. "This case is another example of how their concern can be used to protect our natural resources."

Established in 1981, the TIP program allows Minnesotans to call a toll-free number from anywhere in the state to report natural resources violations. Calls regarding violations can be placed anonymously at 1-800-652-9093.

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