Antler thieves pile up fines in Wyoming

Officials say dozens of horn hunters are being cited for trespassing onto the National Elk Refuge in Jackson.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports others violated the midnight May 1 opening of Bridger-Teton National Forest, breaking the closures days or weeks ago and stashed antlers in violation of state law, only to recover the caches Tuesday with the appearance of legality.

National Elk Refuge Deputy Manager Cris Dippel estimates officers handed out about 30 citations for trespassing on the refuge, a transgression that carries a $280 fine. He says the trespassers carried about 50 pounds of antlers, and will have to pay $10 a pound in addition to the fine for stealing the antlers from the closed area.

The illicit behavior is driven partly by the cash incentive. Antler and a deadhead can net several hundreds or even thousands of dollars.