Eight men from three states, including Colorado, have been convicted and sentenced for participating in illegal game hunts that took place over four years in southern Routt County.
Ole Thorson, 35, his brother Travis Thorson, 40, and their father, Jerome Thorson, 64, all from Prescott, Mich., pleaded guilty to a range of charges stemming from the illegal hunts.
Two Bailey residents, Tim Oestmann, 49, and Andrew Oestmann, 24, pleaded guilty to illegal transfer of a hunting license. Three others, from Michigan and Indiana, also pleaded guilty to illegal license transfer, which means providing a hunting license to someone who doesn’t legally have one.
The guilty pleas and sentences result from more than two years of undercover investigation by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The investigation began with a tip from a hunter.
Mike Porras, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said there was no indication the illegal hunting was part of an illicit business.
“We believe they were illegally taking wildlife for personal use only.” Porras said.
Jerome and Travis Thorson were sentenced to two years’ probation each; Travis Thorson, who was also charged with menacing after threatening undercover wildlife officers with an air rifle and a knife, must pay $14,000 in fines and court costs.
Ole Thorson, who had three illegally hunted elk and one bear in his possession, must serve 30 days in jail, five years’ probation and pay $11,200 in court costs, and make a donation of $2,500 to Operation Game Thief, a tips hotline for wildlife violations.
All three also face charges in Michigan that include possession of an illegal silencer, animal cruelty and the illegal taking of otter, bobcat and mink in that state.
And, all three likely will lose their hunting and fishing licenses.
Ole Thorson will not be allowed to enter Colorado during his five years of probation.
Karen Augé: 303-954-1733, kauge@denverpost.com or twitter.com/karenauge
