Helicopter-assisted hunt leads to poaching convictions for two hunters

UTAH — Two nonresident hunters were convicted of hunting violations after flying a private helicopter into a remote area of eastern Utah and harvesting two bull elk on private Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit property where their permits were not valid, according to the Utah Division of Natural Resources.

The case began with a tip to DNR Law Enforcement, which led conservation officers to investigate two elk kills located about 75 yards apart on CWMU land.

According to DNR, the hunters used a helicopter to fly into a remote area in eastern Utah to bypass locked gates and private property boundaries.

“Unfortunately for them, they landed directly on Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) land—where their general season Any Bull permits were not valid,” said DNR.

Utah’s CWMU program allows participating private landowners to open their property to a limited number of hunters under specific permit requirements, but hunters may not hunt bull elk on a CWMU without a bull elk permit for that particular CWMU.

The investigation also uncovered several additional violations, DNR said, including an illegal sage grouse harvest during a closed season, possession of a deadhead bull elk without a permit, and the use of an electronic bow sight, which DNR treats as illegal equipment.

DNR Law Enforcement worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the investigation and served search warrants across state lines, according to the agency.

Both hunters were convicted of unlawful take of protected wildlife and taking wildlife while trespassing. They paid fines and restitution and now face hunting license suspensions, DNR said.

The case is an example of how tips from the public can prompt and aid wildlife investigations. DNR encourages anyone who witnesses or has information about suspected poaching or other wildlife-related violations to report it to conservation officers.