An Idaho Springs resident who pleaded guilty to illegally killing a bull elk in Evergreen has been fined $10,000 and barred from hunting in Colorado for five years.
John Keith Johnson, 23, is the third of four men who were busted for alleged poaching to plead guilty after the elk was found in September.
Johnson, Kim Shrout and Anthony Shrout pleaded guilty to the state’s “Samson Law,” a statute named for a majestic elk illegally killed in Estes Park.
The law adds a $10,000 penalty when someone is convicted of poaching big game animals classified as six points or more.
Kim Shrout was ordered to pay $12,000 in fish and game fines. Anthony Shrout was ordered to pay $11,050. They also are prohibited from hunting in Colorado for five years.
The hunters took the elk with an arrow on Sept. 13.
After someone reported seeing the dead animal at the corner of Hacienda Road and South Soda Creek Drive, state Division of Wildlife officers staked out the corpse.
“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,” the Jefferson County district attorney’s office said in a news release.
Larry Losch of Idaho Springs also was charged in the incident. He has entered a not-guilty plea and faces a motions hearing July 30. His trial has been set for September.
The Division of Wildlife encourages citizens to report poaching by calling 877-COLO-OGT (265-6648) at any time or by calling their local law enforcement agency.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
