Utah resident caught poaching trophy elk

Photo Credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah resident Robert Mathew Anderson, who was convicted on April 4, 2014 of poaching a trophy bull elk last September, has been sentenced in the 7th District Court in Castle Dale. 

The sentence occurred on June 3rd and included the following:

• 30 days in jail
• 36 months probation
• An $8,000 restitution value* that will go to the Help Stop Poaching fund
• Big game license suspension for a period of up to 14 years

The September 2012 incident occurred on opening day, when Anderson was hunting with his father, who had a Manti any weapon limited entry bull elk permit. Anderson, without a valid bull elk permit, shot a six-by-six bull elk -- and then used his father’s limited entry permit to tag the elk.

Two people witnessed the incident and shortly thereafter notified wildlife officers,  who used initial information to execute search warrants for the recovery of the bull elk and the weapon that was used. 

The conviction would not have happened without the help of those two individuals, officials said. They continue to encourage those with information regarding wildlife offenses to contact the UTIP hotline at 1-800-662-3337 or any Division office.

*In 1996, the Utah State Legislature, along with the support from sportsmen groups, passed minimum restitution values on trophy animals. The minimum restitution value of a trophy bull elk is $8,000.