County

Last in group of poachers severely punished

RBC I Nicholaus J. Rodgers, 32, of Medford, Ore., one of a group of outfitters working out of Mack, Colo., located just south of Rio Blanco County, who was involved in an extensive lion and bobcat poaching scheme in western Colorado and eastern Utah, has received his sentence in U.S. District Court in Denver.

Rodgers must serve 36 months of probation, six months of home confinement, 50 hours of community service and pay $5,000 in fines.
In August, Rodgers pleaded guilty to violating several counts of the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits the interstate transportation and sale of any wildlife taken in an illegal manner.
Rodgers and his accomplices were the subjects of a three-year joint investigation by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, beginning in 2007.
Details of the investigation revealed what one 44-year veteran of the agency called “the worst example of poaching he had seen in his career.”
According to indictments handed down in January, Rodgers and his employer, outfitter Christopher W. Loncarich, 56, of Mack, daughters Caitlin and Andie Loncarich and assistant guide Marvin Ellis conspired to capture and cage lions and bobcats. They would hold the captured cats in leg traps or would wound them by shooting them in the foot or stomach. Their goal was to make the cats easier for their clients to kill during excursions along the rugged Book Cliff Mountains in western Colorado and eastern Utah.
In one instance, the group collared a lion with a radio transmitter, recaptured it a year later, kept it in captivity for a week at Loncarich’s residence in Mack, then maimed it before releasing it near an out-of-state client.
Wildlife officers stress that the practice is not only illegal, it is highly unethical.
Investigators say that several of the cats killed in Utah were taken without licenses and then illegally transported to Colorado, where the group falsified documents to obtain the required seals for the hides. The outfitter’s clients then transported the illegally taken cats back to their home states in further violation of the Lacey Act.
According to investigators, Loncarich charged 18 clients between $3,500 and $7,500 for each lion hunt and between $700 and $1,500 for each bobcat hunt, sharing his earnings with his assistants. More than 30 cats were killed in this manner, investigators said.
In December, Loncarich was sentenced to 27 months in prison, followed by three-years of probation for conspiring to violate the Lacey Act. Until his probation has been completed, he cannot hunt, pursue or trap any wildlife and must undergo substance abuse and mental health treatment while on probation.
Caitlin Loncarich pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme and was sentenced for two misdemeanor Lacey Act violations in September. She received one year of probation, a $1,000 fine as well as 60 hours of community service. Also pleading guilty, her sister, Andie Loncarich, was sentenced on a misdemeanor Lacey Act violation, receiving one year of probation, a $500 fine and 36 hours of community service.
Ellis also pleaded guilty, and, in June 2013, was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home detention and was ordered to pay a $3,100 fine.
Loncarich’s 2008 Ford truck and Ellis’ 1995 Dodge truck were seized during the investigation, having been used in the commission of Lacey Act violations. Both vehicles were subsequently forfeited to the government. In addition, three of Loncarich’s clients were issued Lacey Act violation notices, paying a total of $13,100 in fines.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks the public to report possible wildlife violations to their nearest CPW office or Colorado State Patrol. To remain anonymous, call Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648. Rewards may be available if the report leads to a citation.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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