A pair of Illinois bowhunters have been ordered to pay a total of $23,050 in fines after pleading guilty today to illegally killing a bull elk in Evergreen.
Kimberly Anthony Shrout, 54, and his son, Anthony Lee Eugene Shrout, 20, pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to aggravated illegal possession of wildlife under Samson’s Law — named for a majestic eight-point elk killed illegally in Estes Park — and several other charges.
Samson’s Law calls for a $10,000 penalty when someone is convicted of poaching big-game animals classified as six points or more.
Kimberly Shrout was ordered to pay $12,000 in fish and game fines. Anthony Shrout was ordered to pay $11,050. As a result of these convictions, they now are prohibited from hunting in Colorado.
Division of Wildlife officers arrested them Sept. 14 after finding the dead elk the day before and waiting for someone to return for the meat.
“Three men were dropped off near the carcass after dark and had tools and lights with them. After they had cleaned and butchered the animal they apparently called the driver of the truck that had dropped them off. Officers observed the truck come back into the area,” according to a release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The two other men, John Keith Johnson, 23, and Larry C. Losch, 26, both of Idaho Springs, are scheduled to be tried next month.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
