Craig Daily Press

katobe (Anonymous) says…

I heard their was a donation hat being passed amongst the "big ranchers" to help pay for attorneys for these shmucks. I don't think money can buy them out of this one.

The population of the sportsman/hunters far out number the "big ranchers." We need to let our voices be heard beyond this forum.

Maybe somebody needs to get a hold of Paula Woodward with 9News Investigates or the Denver Post on how unhappy the residents of Moffat County are on this topic.

Gary Wall sure got a lot of attention.

On Elk killing case highlights ranchers’ frustrations

katobe (Anonymous) says…

This goes far beyond little o Moffat County. Tell me that this hasn't made in impact elsewhere.
Go to google and search Rodney Culverwell.
What a sore eye this has caused for Moffat County, "The elk hunting capitol of the world."
Get a grip said...
How much do you know about “cattle feed'? Do you have any idea how much it costs to feed cattle?
I would think an minimum $80,000 lease would buy 534 tons of hay @ $150 per ton. That is roughly 16,000 bales of hay. 6 months of winter = 2,666 bales per month. By golly, I think that would feed a lot of cattle.
Gee Beav, we might have enough left over for 8' fencing for our haystacks.
Get a grip...do the math.
$80,000 is just a MINIMUM for the lease.

As stated above, they finally got caught in a heinous crime that has pathetic written all over it!!!

On Elk killing case highlights ranchers’ frustrations

katobe (Anonymous) says…

I can't imagine why they bought an airplane.

hmmmm....only speculation but how perfect to scout over 21,000 acres....flyovers to spot the elk/deer/antelope so they can get a better trespass fee or bonus for themselves and their guide.

That is one way to get a successful hunting percentages for your bookings.

But is this ethical guiding/hunting??? Again, only speculation?!?!?!

Aircraft registration number: 57670
Serial number 627-74
Registered aircraft model BELLANCA 7GCBC
Registered aircraft type fixed wing single engine
Year manufactured 1974
Certification issued date Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Airworth date Thursday, January 31, 1974
Air worthiness: multiple
Registrant type corporation
Year manufactured 1974
Registrant, name RIO RO MO RANCH
Street PO BOX 505
CRAIG,Colorado

On Elk killing case highlights ranchers’ frustrations

katobe (Anonymous) says…

That was my thought. They (DA) could not even begin to seat a non-biased jury on this one. The 14th judicial district is filing charges so it looks like their baby. If it were up to our DA they would plea bargain which would be totally inexcusable on this one. I don't know if Bonnie Roesink would dare to....!!!!

On Local ranchers face wildlife charges

katobe (Anonymous) says…

I have a friend in Colorado Springs who is a retired veteran who would have jumped in his truck, in a heart beat, to get fresh elk meat.

Yes, these ranchers in the winter, hunters in the fall, collecting a price per head are a disgrace to our community. Very barbaric. It is absolutely disgusting.

They have their hand out to take the stack of hundred dollar bills from the hunters for a trespass fee when they want the animals on their land....

I'm confused...now they don't want the wildlife because they are a nuiscance....

What a double standard or would that be a double dipper???

On Elk killing case highlights ranchers’ frustrations

katobe (Anonymous) says…

DOW INSIDER PRESS RELEASE

Rodney Heath Culverwell
18 counts willful destruction of wildlife (class 5 felony)
18 counts illegal possession of wildlife (misdemeanor)

Kenneth Wolgram
16 counts willful destruction of wildlife (class 5 felony)
16 counts illegal possession of wildlife (misdemeanor)

The charges are related to the following Colorado statutes:

CRS 33-6-117(1)(a) Willful destruction of wildlife/big game
.. it is unlawful for a person to hunt or take, or to solicit another person to hunt or take, wildlife and detach or remove, with the intent to abandon the carcass or body, only the head, hide, claws, teeth, antlers, horns, internal organs, or feathers or any or all of such parts; to abandon the carcass or body of such wildlife; or to take and abandon wildlife.

As a class 5 felony, willful destruction convictions carry a sentence of one to two years in prison and a fine of $1,000 - $100,000 per count. Conviction also carries an assessment of 20 license suspension points per count.

CRS 33-6-109 Illegal possession of wildlife
It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or have in such person's possession any wildlife that is the property of this state as provided in section 33-1-101, except as permitted by articles 1 to 6 of this title or by rule or regulation of the [wildlife] commission.

If found guilty, penalties for violations of CRS 33-6-109 call for a fine of $1,000 per count and an assessment of 15 license suspension points per count.

An individual who accumulates more than 20 licenses suspension points or who is convicted of a felony wildlife violation is subject to an administrative hearing process that can result in suspension of hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado and 24 other states for a period of one year to life.

On Local ranchers face wildlife charges

katobe (Anonymous) says…

An excerpt from the DOW website...

"Most of our deer have moved out of the Steamboat Springs area and far to the west where they are finding open conditions," said Jim Haskins, DOW Area Wildlife Manager in Steamboat Springs. "We are seeing a small number of elk that are struggling, but that's more due to their own unwillingness to move to where the food can be found than due to the winter conditions."

Many of the deer and elk in northwest Colorado have never seen a hard winter or, in some cases, even a normal winter. The past eight winters have been relatively mild, leading deer and elk to stay in areas that aren't really appropriate winter range.

Meeker Area Wildlife Manager Bill deVergie is seeing that exact situation. "This is certainly more snow than we've had in quite a few years, but it is more of a typical winter. Most of the big game in this area hasn't seen anything but mild winters in their lifetime, so they're trying to figure out how to adapt. For the most part the animals are finding ways to find food on areas of critical winter range."

Wildlife managers are reporting some mortalities, but it is normal for some mortality to occur during the winter. Old, young and sick animals often succumb to even mild winter conditions. Two significant deer studies in northwest Colorado use radio tracking collars to monitor mule deer mortalities. The Middle Park study and the Piceance deer monitoring are both seeing mortality consistent with this time of year. The studies are another way that wildlife managers can watch for signs that intervention might be necessary.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is another complicating factor in feeding decisions for northwest Colorado wildlife managers. While CWD has not been detected in the Gunnison Basin, it has been found in some parts of northwest Colorado. Any feeding of deer in areas with confirmed instances of CWD must be approved by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. This is because feeding sites create large concentrations of deer and elk, which can result in increased transmission of CWD and other diseases.

"As we analyze feeding decisions we have to determine if the percentage of animals we might protect from starvation will outweigh the percentage of animals that might be at risk from disease transmission," added Broderick. "And while starvation is a rare or one-time occurrence, increased CWD transmission can negatively impact a population for multiple generations. That isn't to say we won't feed if it becomes necessary, but hopefully people understand more about what goes into the decision."

On Local ranchers face wildlife charges

katobe (Anonymous) says…

I know, lets treat them like our drug dealers. Let them off all of their felony counts. Let's plea bargain. And you wonder why our county is known as the Meth Capitol of Colorado.

Why are there no arrests? Maybe we don't do that to "model citizens".

How do you know that the elk were aborting? Did you preg test them? Do you not think that is mother nature's way of controlling the population of our herds. Maybe you think that it was inhumane to not feed them but what class of action would you call shooting cows & calves, and bulls. That is the most inhumane thing I have ever heard of.....how barbarous.

On Local ranchers face wildlife charges

katobe (Anonymous) says…

So are you suggesting that we just let them off the hook for breaking the law? 18 felony charges for one and 16 charges for another. These "model citizens" have committed crimes and should be treated as a criminal. It seems a little blatent to hide them in the barn. Talk about dumb criminals. They should be candidates for the Darwin awards. Thank you DOW for doing your job. We drove through Sunbeam, Maybell, Irish Canyon and there are elk and deer everywhere that made it through our tough winter. They are a little skinny but atleast they are alive and were not slain by some malicious rancher that thought he is/was above the law. Maybe they should take some of their trespass hunting fees to buy more hay. How pathetic to ASSUME he could do this. Talk about wasteful. Those elk could have fed a lot of hungry folks who aren't rich like RIO RO MO. You know what they say when you assume.... Throw the book at them!

On Local ranchers face wildlife charges

katobe (Anonymous) says…

Our DA and crew strike again. Do not re-elect Roesink in 08 election.

On Craig woman given probation