Two Convicted In Deer Poaching Incident (NPS Digest)

Two Convicted In Deer Poaching Incident (NPS Digest)
On November 24th, South Dakota Game & Fish received a report from two concerned citizens regarding suspicious hunting activity within the Conata Basin, which is located in the northwest part of the park.  Rangers conducting the ensuing investigation discovered a blood trail measuring over 700 yards and recovered a shell casing from a .308 caliber rifle within the park’s boundary. Working with a special agent from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, rangers conducted interviews of two Rapid City residents, Lance Vanzee and Todd Elson. These interviews resulted in both men admitting to having killed two mule deer inside the park. Rangers confiscated the heads and capes of both deer along with a rifle used by Elson. Vanzee and Elson were charged with misdemeanor Lacey Act violations, resulting in $2,000 in fines and restitution totaling $3,000. This is the second successful Lacey Act conviction of illegal hunting activities at Badlands National Park since January of this year, when rangers closed a 2010 buffalo poaching case.