GREYBULL- Thanks to information provided to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department by a concerned Greybull area hunter, Gordon Slabaugh of Stanchfield, MN pleaded guilty to the wanton destruction of a cow and calf moose in the Big Horn Mountains—a poaching act that will cost him $18,690 and the loss of hunting privileges for four years in 31 states under the Wildlife Violator Compact. Slabaugh appeared pro se by telephone before Big Horn County Circuit Judge Tom Harrington on Dec. 29, 2010 and pleaded guilty to two counts of wanton destruction of moose. The incident took place in moose hunt area 41/42, an area known for trophy quality bull moose. The 67-year-old Slabaugh was sentenced to 10 days imprisonment (suspended), restitution of $7500 for each animal, a fine for each count of $1750, loss of hunting privileges in Wyoming for four years and unsupervised probation with the conditions specifying no violation of Wyoming law. Court costs of $40 and $150 Crime Victims Compensation were also levied. “The needless destruction and waste of these animals was fairly addressed by the court,” said Bill Robertson, Greybull game warden. “It is our hope that the public continues to alert the Game and Fish of the illegal take of moose or any other wildlife.” According to Robertson, Slabaugh had approached a local hunter asking for assistance in packing out two moose that he had killed in the Iron Mountain area of the Big Horn National Forest. “The local hunter declined and reported the incident,” Robertson said. A field investigation led to the discovery of a cow and calf moose—both left to rot in the field. A .270 caliber slug was recovered from the cow moose; the bull calf had been field dressed, moved a short distance and abandoned.
“There are people who are willing to go out of their way to report violations and for that we are very grateful,” Robertson said. “We will continue to make every effort to bring justice to
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those who blatantly disregard the wildlife regulations governing fair chase and the legal taking of wildlife.” -WGFD-