Date: 4/20/11
Contact: Joe Doucette
Phone: (775) 777-2305

POACHERS PLEAD GUILTY

Two poachers entered a plea deal in Elko District Court in late March for a poaching that occurred in 2009 in Elko County.

Idaho residents Donald Lee Scarrow Jr., 48, and Roger Lynn Sievers, 66, entered a plea agreement for one count each of unlawful possession of big game animal (mule deer), a gross misdemeanor as defined by NRS 501.376(4) and NRS 501.376 (5).

The two men had 2009 mule deer tags for hunt units 071-079,091, but harvested deer in a different unit. A picture was obtained by Idaho Fish and Game of Scarrow posing with the trophy class mule deer buck that he had harvested illegally. The photo was circulating on the internet in November of 2009. Idaho Fish and Game authorities obtained the photo and believing it was in the state of Nevada, turned their information over to NDOW Game Warden Fred Esparza. Because of Game Warden Esparza's thorough knowledge of his area, he was able to locate the scene in the photograph.

Idaho Fish and Game officers, in coordination with Nevada Department of Wildlife law enforcement, used this information to obtain search warrants and searched the suspects' houses. In the scope of the investigation it was found that Roger Sieve's also took a buck illegally.

"It is the hunter's responsibility to know what area he can legally hunt with the tag he is issued," explained Esparza. "That information is distributed with the tag to hunters as well as being readily accessible in our literature and on our website."

The two men forfeited the deer and their rifles, as well as each paying a $1,000 fine, $2,500 in civil penalties and $25 in administrative fees. As part of the plea agreement, they also lose their hunting privileges for three years in the state of Nevada.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.