Rancher charged in attempted stealing of elk horns from helicopter hunters

[HairyScandinavian]

I get the sentiment, but that won't hold up. If I overpay $1,000 for a $100 pair of boots it doesn't make the boots more valuable. The cost of the hunt, helicopter, tag, etc. has nothing to do with the objective value of the antlers.

I think fair market comparison standards would apply and come in to play. You could measure the rack and get 10 quotes from landowners in the area for trophy fees and average them out, those trophy fees wouldn't include tags and such. No matter how you slice it it'll far exceed $1000 so if $1k is the line for felony it's well above that.

 

[180ls1]

Why not the difference in what he charges for a cow hunt vs a bull hunt?

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Why not the difference in what he charges for a cow hunt vs a bull hunt?

That's the easy button right there and hard to argue against because the only difference would be antlers.

 

[Lawnboi]

The value is easy to determine. What would the state of Wyoming charge you for it if you stole it from them without permission (tag)?

 

[Jethro]

What the rancher charges for an outfitted hunt is irrelevant. So is the fact that he is a rancher. Suppose he was a plumber.

Can buy an elk mount off eBay for as low as $500.

 

[Hunter26]

Frankly lots of good conversation. On a bigger level I can see both sides. Private land owners controlling access to public land because they own the land around it. In my opinion they shouldn't be forced by the government to give up land or allow access across their private land. On the flip side we all own the public land and seems kind of crazy that we wouldn't have access. However, if it is legal for us to use a helicopter then I guess technically we do have access. I don't mind threads like this because I do think it brings this topic to light more and creates conversation that can maybe move us forward.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Frankly lots of good conversation. On a bigger level I can see both sides. Private land owners controlling access to public land because they own the land around it. In my opinion they shouldn't be forced by the government to give up land or allow access across their private land. On the flip side we all own the public land and seems kind of crazy that we wouldn't have access. However, if it is legal for us to use a helicopter then I guess technically we do have access. I don't mind threads like this because I do think it brings this topic to light more and creates conversation that can maybe move us forward.

Why do you feel the need to 'see both sides'?

There ARE two sides to this story. One is clearly in the wrong and one isn't. Very clear.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I have hunted that general area several times and the ranchers there in general are a pain in the ass
Think they own everything
But they have been dealing with morons for a long time
Casper is just down the road

 

[mt terry d]

Very easy to figure this out, how much does that landowner charge for a bull Elk hunt? $10k maybe?

That's with no guarantee. What's he charge for guaranteed 100% success ?

 

[CAElkhunter]

two wrongs don't make a right.....just because you are a major landowner doesn't make you king.
If as someone said the hunters were dirt bags it doesn't make what the rancher did right. Despite what
ranchers in the Big West want to think Non Resident hunters contribute a great amount of $$ to the economy
of the western states. You kick us out and you have to pay more.........

 

[7RemMag]

Despite what ranchers in the Big West want to think Non Resident hunters contribute a great amount of $$ to the economy
of the western states. You kick us out and you have to pay more.........

Does where the hunters/rancher are from really matter? I for one don’t care if they’re from Timbuktu. Resident or not, If they were legally accessing the public land and lawfully harvested the bull, he broke the law. In fact, even if the hunters UNLAWFULLY took the animal, it’s not his to keep. At least not in any state I’ve resided in.

The landowner in this case made a conscious decision to pull a really dirtbag move. Fortunately he got caught red handed and on camera. The man deserves what he got and then some. Hopefully this scenario deters an individual or two from doing this in the future.

However, if there’s one thing I know about greedy, selfish individuals such as this particular dirtbag, it’s that they’re always finding new and inventive ways to be lousy human beings. It’s in their nature.