Wolf Poaching Results in Conviction
After a lengthy investigation, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports the successful conviction of a Casper man for the illegal shooting of a collared gray wolf near Moran in the fall of 2017. Lane Bunner shot and killed the wolf on September 28, 2017, while hunting elk southeast of Moran. The 2017 wolf hunting season did not open until October 1. On October 11, 2017, Bunner registered the wolf at the Casper Game and Fish office as legally taken on October 7, 2017. A DNA sample was collected during the check-in process.
Game and Fish biologists received a report of the wolf’s collar emitting a mortality signal on September 28, 2017. Subsequent field investigation of the mortality signal revealed the collar had been intentionally removed from the wolf and left along a remote roadside. Genetic samples are collected from all wolves captured for monitoring purposes in northwest Wyoming, so biologists and wardens investigating the case determined it would be possible to cross reference the captured wolf’s DNA with wolves registered by hunters during the open wolf hunting season.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Forensics and Fish Health Lab was consulted on the case, and discovered a match between the poached, collared wolf killed on September 28, 2017, and the wolf registered by Bunner on October 11, 2017. The match was strong, with less than a 1 in 266 billion chance another wolf would match the same genetic profile, proving the wolf had been illegally taken prior to the opening of the season by Bunner.
Bunner was charged with taking a trophy game animal without the proper authority, failure to surrender a gray wolf tracking device and making a false statement on a gray wolf mortality form. The charge of making a false statement on a gray wolf mortality form was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Bunner pleaded guilty to the other two charges. Teton County Circuit Court Judge, James L. Radda, sentenced Bunner to fines totaling $3,110.00 and one year probation. In addition, Bunner’s hunting privileges, including the take of predatory animals, were suspended for four years in Wyoming and 48 additional states that are members of the Wildlife Violator Compact. Judge Radda also ordered Bunner’s surrender of the wolf mount and skull to the Department.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department pursues investigation of fish and wildlife violations resolutely, and with the expertise of the Department’s wildlife forensics lab, was able to bring this case to a close. With hunting seasons underway this fall, the Department requests public assistance in reporting any fish and wildlife violations to our Stop Poaching Hotline 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847).
Game and Fish biologists received a report of the wolf’s collar emitting a mortality signal on September 28, 2017. Subsequent field investigation of the mortality signal revealed the collar had been intentionally removed from the wolf and left along a remote roadside. Genetic samples are collected from all wolves captured for monitoring purposes in northwest Wyoming, so biologists and wardens investigating the case determined it would be possible to cross reference the captured wolf’s DNA with wolves registered by hunters during the open wolf hunting season.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Forensics and Fish Health Lab was consulted on the case, and discovered a match between the poached, collared wolf killed on September 28, 2017, and the wolf registered by Bunner on October 11, 2017. The match was strong, with less than a 1 in 266 billion chance another wolf would match the same genetic profile, proving the wolf had been illegally taken prior to the opening of the season by Bunner.
Bunner was charged with taking a trophy game animal without the proper authority, failure to surrender a gray wolf tracking device and making a false statement on a gray wolf mortality form. The charge of making a false statement on a gray wolf mortality form was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Bunner pleaded guilty to the other two charges. Teton County Circuit Court Judge, James L. Radda, sentenced Bunner to fines totaling $3,110.00 and one year probation. In addition, Bunner’s hunting privileges, including the take of predatory animals, were suspended for four years in Wyoming and 48 additional states that are members of the Wildlife Violator Compact. Judge Radda also ordered Bunner’s surrender of the wolf mount and skull to the Department.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department pursues investigation of fish and wildlife violations resolutely, and with the expertise of the Department’s wildlife forensics lab, was able to bring this case to a close. With hunting seasons underway this fall, the Department requests public assistance in reporting any fish and wildlife violations to our Stop Poaching Hotline 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847).
Mark Gocke, Public Information Specialist, 307-249-5811
