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Judge revokes man's hunting rights for life
By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic
HAMILTON - A Hamilton man lost his hunting privileges for life and will be required to pay $24,200 in restitution for illegally killing a total of eight elk, deer and antelope.
Kurt J. Norman, 43, was sentenced Wednesday by Ravalli County District Judge Jeffrey Langton.
Norman was convicted of felony unlawful possession of a game animal and two felony counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife following a two-day trial in Hamilton last October.
The case stemmed from a covert investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens that began in 2006. The investigation started after wardens heard Norman had illegally killed a trophy mule deer buck on private property between the Skalkaho Highway and Sleeping Child Road.
Wardens executed a search warrant on Norman's Hamilton home in May 2007 and seized photographs, computer records and trophy mounts.
Five other men pleaded guilty to various charges as a result of the investigation.
Langton sentenced Norman to two suspended five-year prison terms to run consecutively for the two felony counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife. The judge deferred imposition of sentence for five years on the third felony.
Langton ordered Norman pay $22,000 plus an administrative fee of $2,200 in restitution for the illegally taken wildlife, which included several trophy-class animals.
The judge also told Norman that he would never be able to hunt, fish or trap in the state of Montana during his lifetime, including accompanying someone else engaged in those endeavors.
“Trophy wildlife are a critical natural resource in the state that need to be protected from people like you,” Langton said.
Norman's attorney, David Stenerson, told the judge he had a hard time equating
his client's crimes to other felony cases often seen
in county court.
“He didn't shoot anybody,” Stenerson said. “He didn't drive drunk and injure someone. He didn't pummel someone in a bar fight. It's hunting illegally.”
Stenerson urged Langton to consider Norman's standing in the community - he coaches three different sports - and the fact he's a single father who wants to teach his 11-year-old son to hunt - “and to hunt legally.”
When Langton asked Norman if he had anything to say the man replied that he did, but “I think it would be best to wait for the appeal.”
Langton also took Norman to task for apparently telling the probation officer assigned to write a presentence report that Norman believed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens had lied about the case.
“He is not really owning up to what he did here or the gravity of what he did,” Langton said during the sentencing hearing. “I've not seen any evidence of false statements. ... To make allegations like those without proof is not a wise thing to do.”
By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic
HAMILTON - A Hamilton man lost his hunting privileges for life and will be required to pay $24,200 in restitution for illegally killing a total of eight elk, deer and antelope.
Kurt J. Norman, 43, was sentenced Wednesday by Ravalli County District Judge Jeffrey Langton.
Norman was convicted of felony unlawful possession of a game animal and two felony counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife following a two-day trial in Hamilton last October.
The case stemmed from a covert investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens that began in 2006. The investigation started after wardens heard Norman had illegally killed a trophy mule deer buck on private property between the Skalkaho Highway and Sleeping Child Road.
Wardens executed a search warrant on Norman's Hamilton home in May 2007 and seized photographs, computer records and trophy mounts.
Five other men pleaded guilty to various charges as a result of the investigation.
Langton sentenced Norman to two suspended five-year prison terms to run consecutively for the two felony counts of possession of unlawfully taken wildlife. The judge deferred imposition of sentence for five years on the third felony.
Langton ordered Norman pay $22,000 plus an administrative fee of $2,200 in restitution for the illegally taken wildlife, which included several trophy-class animals.
The judge also told Norman that he would never be able to hunt, fish or trap in the state of Montana during his lifetime, including accompanying someone else engaged in those endeavors.
“Trophy wildlife are a critical natural resource in the state that need to be protected from people like you,” Langton said.
Norman's attorney, David Stenerson, told the judge he had a hard time equating
his client's crimes to other felony cases often seen
in county court.
“He didn't shoot anybody,” Stenerson said. “He didn't drive drunk and injure someone. He didn't pummel someone in a bar fight. It's hunting illegally.”
Stenerson urged Langton to consider Norman's standing in the community - he coaches three different sports - and the fact he's a single father who wants to teach his 11-year-old son to hunt - “and to hunt legally.”
When Langton asked Norman if he had anything to say the man replied that he did, but “I think it would be best to wait for the appeal.”
Langton also took Norman to task for apparently telling the probation officer assigned to write a presentence report that Norman believed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens had lied about the case.
“He is not really owning up to what he did here or the gravity of what he did,” Langton said during the sentencing hearing. “I've not seen any evidence of false statements. ... To make allegations like those without proof is not a wise thing to do.”
