Poaching case still not settled

After four attempts at a settlement, the State of Wyoming and Saratoga resident Tom Arthur, do not appear to be any closer to a deal surrounding Arthur’s September 12 citation over the harvesting of an antlered deer out of season. Arthur has pleaded not-guilty to the charge.

On November 28, the State of Wyoming and Jason Tangeman—legal counsel for Arthur, met for the fourth attempt at a settlement around the case. If no settlement can be reached, the case will head to court on February 9, 2023.

Arthur was cited in September for intentionally taking antlered big game during a closed season, according to the citation issued by Game Warden Levi Wood. Doing so is a violation of Wyoming State Statute 23-3-102(d). According to that statute, any person found guilty of knowingly taking certain game animals without a proper license or during a closed season can be punished with a fine between $5,000 to $10,000, imprisonment for up to one year or both.

Earlier this year, two Missouri men, Nathan Hicks and Dakota Walker, were found guilty of poaching a mule deer in October 2021 after rifle season had closed. Both men were ordered to pay fines and had their hunting privileges revoked.

The hunt areas which comprise the majority of the Upper North Platte River Valley—areas 79, 80 and 81—were not open to antlered mule deer or white tail deer until October 1.

The Saratoga Sun reached out to Tangeman for comment on the attempted settlements with the State of Wyoming, but did not receive any response as of press time. The Sun also reached out to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, but also did not receive any information as of press time.