MAN KILLED BIG HORN ILLEGALLY, OFFICIALS SAY


CANON CITY --- A man arrested on suspicion of illegally killing a Rocky Mountain big horn ram could face fines of more than $100,000 if he is found guilty of the charges prosecutors are considering.

James Michael Barrett, 29, was arrested Nov 15 after he called Colorado State patrol asking for a road kill permit. Drivers who accidentally hit and kill a game animal can apply to the Division of Wildlife for the permit to use its meat, division spokesman Todd Malssbury said.

A trooper was sent to Barrett's car on Red Canyon Road and found a trophy-quality ram weighing about 350 pounds. The trooper called the Department of Wildlife and Barrett was arrested.

District Wild Manager Dean Riggs said Barrett might be charged with unlawfully taking a big horn sheep without a valid licenses, unlawfully hunting outside an established season and unlawful possession of a trophy animal. The DOW will not discuss investigation details.

The possession charge alone carries a possible fine between $1000 and $100,000, one year in jail or both.

The surcharge on the fine for possession of a trophy animal is a additional $25,000, Riggs said.

Barrett is free on $5,000 bond and scheduled for a pretrial conference Jan 8, said the Fremont County Clerk's Office.

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This was copied from the Gazette dated Nov 22, 2000 -- anybody hear the outcome on this.