KDLG
Public Radio for Alaska's Bristol Bay

AWT charge big game guide with host of hunting violations

By Dave Bendinger • 21 hours ago


Troopers say they spent a year investigating Thomas Shankster, 60, or Aurora Colorado, for wanton waste and other hunting crimes.


"Bush pilot, trapper, tanner, and Master Guide Tom Shankster has been outfitting in Alaska since 1985," says the caption on the Alaska Trophy Hunts website. AWT has charged Shankster with a host of hunting violations following an extensive investigation.

Credit Alaska Trophy Hunts

KDLG: Following more than a yearlong investigation, state wildlife troopers have charged a Colorado man with eight counts of "unlawful acts while acting as a big game guide" in Alaska, specifically in GMU 19. That hunting area stretches from Kalskag, past McGrath, to the border of Denali National Park and Preserve.

Thomas Shankster, 60, of Aurora, Colorado runs a guiding business called Alaska Trophy Hunts, which bases hunts primarily from near the mouth of the Dillinger River.

Wildlife troopers allege Shankster was responsible for five cases of wanton waste, involving both moose and caribou, failed to report known hunting violations by his assistant guides, and falsified a hunt report, claiming the meat had been salvaged when it had not.

The investigation was comprehensive, according to AWT. Nine troopers spent a combined 1,000 man hours working the case, collecting 41 witness interviews and flying the area in both fixed and rotor wing aircraft. Spoiled meat samples were collected from three caribou and three moose kills, according to a press release.

Shankster is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal charges January 20 at the Aniak court.



© 2015 KDLG

Isn't this the guy on Building Alaska?

Yup.

looks like a hunters cabin will be owned by his attorney, I have been in Aniak surprized they have a court, must be in the general store

Alaska state troopers spent a lot of time and money investigating Shankster. The wheels of justice can be slow but when they are going for criminal charges they want to make sure everything is covered.

Does anyone have the official press release ?

Thanks,

Mike

AK Wildlife Troopers

AK14075385

Location: McGrath
Type: Unlawful Acts Guide
Dispatch Text:

On 12/23/15, the Office of Special Prosecutions, Fish and Game Unit, Charged Master Guide Thomas G. Shankster, 60 of Aurora CO, with eight counts of Unlawful Acts while acting as a Big Game guide in Game Management Unit (GMU) 19. This investigation began during the fall of 2014, where the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, McGrath Post, accomplished an investigation regarding Shankster and his guiding business “Alaska Trophy Hunts” (ATH) which is primarily based near the Mouth of the Dillinger River and substantiated that Shankster had committed the crime of Wanton Waste on at least five occasions (both Moose and Caribou), failed to report two known violations by his assistant guides (sub-legal sheep and antlers before meat), and committed Unsworn Falsification on at least one Hunt Record showing that meat had been salvaged when in fact it hadn’t. Spoiled meat samples were collected from three caribou and three moose and three sets of caribou antlers, three sets of moose antlers, and a sub legal set of sheep horns were seized as part of the investigation. The scope of this investigation was substantial, requiring extensive asset usage, including both fixed-wing and helicopter, and involved intensive man-power (nearly 1,000 hours) from nine Alaska Wildlife Troopers. At least 41 separate witness and/or suspect interviews were conducted for the investigation in addition to essential evidentiary compilation and a lengthy report documenting the illegal acts. Shankster is to be arraigned in the Aniak District Court on January 20, 2016.

quote:

Originally posted by Adventure907:
AK Wildlife Troopers

AK14075385

Location: McGrath
Type: Unlawful Acts Guide
Dispatch Text:

On 12/23/15, the Office of Special Prosecutions, Fish and Game Unit, Charged Master Guide Thomas G. Shankster, 60 of Aurora CO, with eight counts of Unlawful Acts while acting as a Big Game guide in Game Management Unit (GMU) 19. This investigation began during the fall of 2014, where the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, McGrath Post, accomplished an investigation regarding Shankster and his guiding business “Alaska Trophy Hunts” (ATH) which is primarily based near the Mouth of the Dillinger River and substantiated that Shankster had committed the crime of Wanton Waste on at least five occasions (both Moose and Caribou), failed to report two known violations by his assistant guides (sub-legal sheep and antlers before meat), and committed Unsworn Falsification on at least one Hunt Record showing that meat had been salvaged when in fact it hadn’t. Spoiled meat samples were collected from three caribou and three moose and three sets of caribou antlers, three sets of moose antlers, and a sub legal set of sheep horns were seized as part of the investigation. The scope of this investigation was substantial, requiring extensive asset usage, including both fixed-wing and helicopter, and involved intensive man-power (nearly 1,000 hours) from nine Alaska Wildlife Troopers. At least 41 separate witness and/or suspect interviews were conducted for the investigation in addition to essential evidentiary compilation and a lengthy report documenting the illegal acts. Shankster is to be arraigned in the Aniak District Court on January 20, 2016.

Looks like Biebs and my moose were seized.

Mike

How does one go about bidding for a lodge leased by Tom Shankster and Alaska Trophy Hunters on state land if Tom Shankster is found guilty?

Mike

might be something worth checking into even if it took several people. he surely will not be using it, i seem to recall him saying he had 100k into it

quote:

Originally posted by raamw:
might be something worth checking into even if it took several people. he surely will not be using it, i seem to recall him saying he had 100k into it

Its on state land and the yearly lease is $1k. If he is found guilty I don't know if the lease he has with the state is valid.

I am in if any Alaska people want to lead the effort. We can form a group - be the ar moose and sheep camp.

Mike

Count me in

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by raamw:
might be something worth checking into even if it took several people. he surely will not be using it, i seem to recall him saying he had 100k into it

I am in if any Alaska people want to lead the effort. We can form a group - be the ar moose and sheep camp.

Mike

Now there's a great idea!

Hmmm.

I guess Larry K will be on here apologizing to everyone soon. Right?

Has anyone heard anything else on this?

There is a Sheep Hunting forum on Facebook. Shankster is taking a beating on the forum. Shankster has been on the forum defending himself. Some say he is lying.

Does anyone know when his trial is?

Was this guy Larry Koleks (sp) buddy?

One thing folks don't usually take into account when bringing this stuff up is the amount of hunts this guy did right and by the book. So your going to have some folks who he has treated legally, not everyone is going to view him as a poacher or outlaw guide. Everyone is allowed to have folks that aren't out to bring them down.
I don't know shankster, just the rumors. And they ain't good.

True. Some point to themselves having good experiences done the right way with Shankster, mostly after his arrest. This does not surprise me. It would take a total idiot to have continued the conduct that got him arrested in the first place.

Time will tell.

Yes, this was Kolek's friend.