Couple baits deer with corn for hunters, Wyoming officials say. They must pay $60,000

A couple placed huge piles of corn out to lure deer, Wyoming wildlife officials said. They’ll now pay $60,000.

In 2011, Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game took trail cameras that were on tribal lands near a couple’s ranch. The couple are non-native landowners who operate Wind River Whitetail Ranch near a reservation, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said.

“The game camera photos showed the defendants putting out large piles of corn during the fall hunting season,” Game and Fish said in a Wednesday, May 4, news release. “The cameras and corn were located in shooting lanes in front of large, elevated permanent hunting blinds located on (the couple’s) property.”

It appeared the couple was illegally baiting deer to hunt on the reservation for their business, Game and Fish said. The couple catered to white-tailed deer hunters.

“The investigation confirmed the (couple) placed bait so their clients could kill deer which is a violation of Wyoming hunting regulations,” officials said. “(They) charged hunters up to $3,000 for each deer hunt.”

Law enforcement officials contacted people in 11 states who had hunted at the couple’s business. They found in addition to baiting, some customers took too many deer and harvested the meat without a license, according to Game and Fish.

The couple pleaded guilty in federal court at the end of last year, Game and Fish officials said. They were ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution and placed on one-year probation.

Additionally, the couple had their hunting privileges revoked for one year.

“Following the closure of the federal aspect of the case, the Fremont County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and could charge up to 30 clients with various wildlife violations in Wyoming state court,” officials said. “As in most wildlife cases, lawful hunters and members of the public were essential to the investigation.”

This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Couple baits deer with corn for hunters, Wyoming officials say. They must pay $60,000."