A Rawlins man received fines and probation after shooting a moose he said he mistook for an elk and leaving it to waste, according to a release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Albert Wayne Vanderford, Jr., 49, was given one year probation, lost his hunting and trapping privileges for three years and was fined $8,520.

On Oct. 25, Vanderford asked another hunter not associated with him to help him load an animal in his truck. He said it was an elk, but the hunter told Vanderford it was a moose. Vanderford told the hunter he moved to Rawlins from Florida and it was his first time hunting elk, according to the release. He then left the scene without taking or field dressing the moose or reporting the mistake.

The other hunter recorded a partial license plate, vehicle description and physical description of Vanderford.

Snake River Taxidermy and Processing Plant in Baggs processed the moose for free and the meat was donated to the needy.

He should have lost his license forever if he doesn't know a moose from an elk!

As anyone who has hunted Northern Europe,there aint much difference between a Elk and a Moose!!!!
http://youtu.be/ZJ4uZ2EfQ7o

This has happened a dozen times in my lifetime,
here in Wyoming.
Had a fella party hunting for his group,
dump a bull, cow and calf.
Tried walking away when his friends refused to
use their elk tags on the dead moose. One of
his party called the Warden.
Its not uncommon I guess but rarely committed by
folks with a little more experience.