CSI Wyoming

“The pieces of narrow-leaf cottonwood leaves were the key to the whole case.”

Matt Lentsch, Wyoming game warden

Photo by A. Poulos (Creative Commons)

Poachers beware: CSI Wyoming is on the case. Three hunters found out the hard way when they were caught with a poached mule deer near Worland, Wyoming (population 4,962).

The hunters’ trouble began when game wardens investigating a separate incident found the deer’s body in a shed belonging to one of the hunters. The hunter said the deer, described as a once-in-a-lifetime trophy buck, was shot legally in an area open for hunting.

Not true. Investigators examining the stomach contents of the deer determined it was from the Greybull River area, which is closed to hunting. Their conclusion was confirmed when they intercepted text messages from the three buddies discussing the buck.

The poachers avoided jail time, but they did rack up thousands of dollars in fines and will have plenty of time to think about their crime. All three are banned from hunting for two years. Maybe they’ll use that time to take up a more educational pursuit—like watching reruns of CSI.

Read more → Martin Kidston, Stomach contents of trophy buck help convict Wyoming poachers, Billings Gazette, February 16, 2012.