Brothers plead guilty in Teller County poaching case
A Kansas man who owns property in Teller County has had his hunting privileges permanently revoked following a three year poaching investigation.
William Hessman, 55, pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including illegal possession of three big game animals, unlawful possession of wildlife, unlawful use of bait, unlawful hunting without the proper license and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle on federal lands. In addition to being banned from hunting, he forfeited his ATV, trail cameras, tree stands and a compound bow. He also paid the US Forest Service $740 in restitution for damage caused by riding ATV’s off trail, and $11,731.50 in other wildlife fines and court costs.
William Hessman’s brother, Torry Hessman, 47, of Pagosa Springs, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a cow elk and unlawful use of a motor vehicle on forest service land. He was fined $1,623.50 and given 25 points on his hunting license, which means he won’t be able to hunt legally for approximately five years.
The investigation began in 2011 when a concerned resident reported finding a bait site near the Gold Camp Subdivision and Pike National Forest. Another tip about a bait site was received about a year later.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted surveillance over three years beginning in September 2013. During that time, a total of six bait sites were found on both private property and federal lands. A search warrant was executed on Hessman’s property on September 14, 2013.
To report a poaching case or wildlife violation contact Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Callers may remain anonymous and cash rewards may be offered for information that leads to a citation or arrest. Tips and information may also be emailed to game.thief@state.co.us.
