3 Wainwright hunters fined $9K for illegally shooting musk oxen, troopers say pencil Author: Jerzy Shedlock clock Updated: 2 hours ago calendar Published 4 hours ago Two of three musk oxen killed illegally, pictured in the western Brooks Range in March 2016. (Alaska State Troopers) Two of three musk oxen killed illegally, pictured in the western Brooks Range in March 2016. (Alaska State Troopers)
Three Wainwright men have been convicted and ordered to pay $9,000 for illegally killing three musk oxen and removing only a hindquarter from one of them.
Thomas "TJ" Tazruk and Billy and Willie Bodfish were sentenced in court in Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow, on Wednesday, each on single counts of taking an animal during a closed season and failing to salvage meat, Alaska State Troopers said.
The trio pleaded guilty to the charges in June.
Wildlife troopers started their investigation into the shooting of the musk oxen back in March 2016, when they responded to the scene near the headwaters of Colville River in a ski-equipped state plane, troopers said.
Once there, the wildlife officers "discovered three female musk ox had been shot multiple times and left to waste," according to an account of the case posted online. Two weeks later, according to the post, the troopers found the carcass of a freshly skinned wolverine near the musk oxen.
Troopers did not say how the suspects were identified, only that through interviews with the three hunters, it was determined that they intended to use the unsalvaged herd animals as bait for wolves and wolverines.
Tazruk and the Bodfishes also stole plane fuel from a cache used by the Department of Fish and Game and the National Park Service for conducting game surveys in the area, troopers said.
The location of the incident was remote – the Colville River's headwaters are located in the western Brooks Range, about 170 miles northeast of Kotzebue. The hometown of the three men rests on the Chukchi Sea coast and is home to about 560 residents.
Wildlife troopers said they hope the case "serves as a deterrent to poachers. Cases, regardless of their remoteness, are investigated thoroughly to deter such crimes and protect Alaska's fish and wildlife resources."
The case was handled by the Office of Special Prosecutions. An attorney with the state did not immediately return a request for comment.
In addition to the restitution totaling $9,000, the men were each fined $500 and ordered to forfeit firearms connected to the case. They also received suspended monthlong jail terms and one year of probation.
About this Author
Jerzy Shedlock
Jerzy Shedlock is a reporter. A graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage, he worked at the Peninsula Clarion before coming to Alaska Dispatch News.
Last edited by Sitka deer; 08/04/17. Reason: typo
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
9 grand a piece would have been more appropriate. That is theft, the most inexcusable crime there is, especially if they left the meat and did not claim starving to death, as the motive.
When truth is ignored, it does not change an untruth from remaining a lie.
Not sure it's related but my observations lead me to believe creating welfare status is not conducive to good citizenship. Ymmv
I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.
There is a percentage of our state's residents that truly believe F&G regulations don't apply to them. Considering they have violated the laws for decades and troopers are typically loathe to enforce the reg's on them, it is not surprising they have the attitude they do.
Should have also forfeited the snow machines that were undoubtedly used as well as hunting privileges. Oh that's their "right" to hunt, it's only a privilege that can be taken away from non natives.
Jeff
Last edited by akjeff; 08/05/17. Reason: Replaced "white folks" with "non natives" as they would have thrown the book at people of any non native race.
Much better article... includes an extraointment or two. They were originally charged with using an illegal firearm whicha turns out to have been a 22lr pistol. That charge was dropped.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
And you know, if they REALLY needed it for food, it wouldn't bother me that much... but shot and left to rot... would tempt me sorely to shoot them....
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
And you know, if they REALLY needed it for food, it wouldn't bother me that much... but shot and left to rot... would tempt me sorely to shoot them....
Actually they shot them for bait... why 3?
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
I hate to say it, but as soon as I read the headline, that was my thought.
l told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here. Here's where the peoples is. Mother Gue, I says, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right. - Del Gue
I usually say "follow the money" but in this case it will never be paid.
I'm sure their PFD or Native corporation dividends were garnished for the fine amount until paid...... snort! But that's what a real judge should have done
Not sure it's related but my observations lead me to believe creating welfare status is not conducive to good citizenship. Ymmv
I would say you're very probably onto something, and some might not agree, but I seriously doubt they'd get different mileage.
First person charity can be a very good thing....both ways. Third-person (gov't) charity is worse than nothing, and not even close to biblical or any other sage-sourced suggestion.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
I don't mean this to be in any way offensive but I find it ironic that the people that are considered to blame for the problems in bush Alaska (white people / government) are also the same group that is claiming they can help the bush with government programs.
I also think that the most effective way for the bush to deal with their issues is to say, no thank you (white people / government) we can't handle any more of your "help" we're going to take care of our problems ourselves.
I don't mean this to be in any way offensive but I find it ironic that the people that are considered to blame for the problems in bush Alaska (white people / government) are also the same group that is claiming they can help the bush with government programs.
I also think that the most effective way for the bush to deal with their issues is to say, no thank you (white people / government) we can't handle any more of your "help" we're going to take care of our problems ourselves.
Yep, no shortage of irony there. Nor has history left any of that which is Alaska untouched when doling out irony. Plenty of good intentions, and not only in Alaska, which have been any and everything but good. Perhaps it's not surprising that so many people prefer not to see things in their 'big picture' realities. Perhaps some denial at work there.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
Somewhere I have pics of a rather crazy carnage I discovered as I tracked wolves in a fresh skiff of snow. A 'conspiracy' of a certain black bird species had me wondering what was over a gentle rise. 12-20 dead caribou, many skinned only for their hindquarters, and left in piles, along with a few yellow and green 223 and 243 'husks' were all I found. My 'evidence' never took wing in the media. (What legitimate, concerned hunters think - regardless of ethnicity- doesn't seem to hold the same weight as what the "gotcha" gang does.)
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
It's a damn shame that on both sides the politics and racial issues come to the forefront vs. game management being handled as an Alaskan issue. Sadly I don't see that ever changing.