RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Friday, November 27, 1992

Release:   0800 EDT

INCIDENTS

92-575 - Craters of the Moon (Idaho) - Follow-up on Poaching Arrests

Two of the six hunters arrested for poaching in the park this fall have
appeared in court and pled guilty to state charges of illegally taking
wildlife in a closed area.  They were each fined $200 in civil penalties and
$200 in criminal penalties, and had their hunting privileges suspended for
one year.  The two deer which were illegally taken will be processed by
Idaho Fish and Game and the meat will be turned over to local food banks. 
[Bruce Edmonston, CR, CRMO, 11/24]

92-620 - Gates of the Arctic (Alaska) - Poaching Indictments

Late in October, a federal grand jury handed down indictments against two
individuals on illegal hunting charges stemming from an investigation of
incidents which occurred in the park in August of 1991.  B.L. of
Soldotna, a registered Alaska big game guide, was indicted on 30 counts, 13
of them felonies, and faces up to five years in jail and fines of up to
$250,000.  The other individual, B.S. of Palmer, an assistant big
game guide, was indicted on 16 counts, six of which are felonies, and may
lose his Piper Super Cub aircraft.  The events leading to the indictments
began when rangers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents, pursuing
complaints from other hunters, launched a cooperative covert surveillance
operation and investigation.  The indictments charge that the pair
unlawfully hunted Dall sheep in the park and also violated state laws
prohibiting same day airborne hunting and wanton waste of big game animals. 
A wolf and caribou were also hunted and killed in violation of same day air
hunting regulations.  [Glenn Sherrill, CR, GAAR, 11/24]

92-621 - Wrangell-St.Elias (Alaska) - Poaching Convictions

On November 25th, M.S. and R.P., both of Valdez,
Alaska, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of possession of
unlawfully taken wildlife and conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act.  Both men
agreed to a $7,500 fine (with $2,500 suspended), two years of probation, and
15 days of jail (suspended).  The $10,000 fine will be placed in the
Wrangell Mountain Safeguard Program fund.  Charges on a third person,
R.B., are still pending.  The three men flew into the park last
January and killed two wolverines and wounded a wolf.  While on aerial
patrol, ranger Jim Hannah had observed three Super Cub aircraft parked on a
snow-covered river bar; nearby were the dead animals and three men on
snowshoes.  Because of the short landing area, Hannah was unable to land his
C-185, so he videotaped the scene from the air.  The three aircraft then
departed, flying in different directions.  One was followed and twice flew
into clouds in an attempt to escape.  Because of the mountainous terrain and
dangerous flying conditions, Hannah terminated his pursuit.  The other two
aircraft were located, and a radio conversation between the two pilots was
recorded which eventually lead to the charge of conspiracy to violate the
Lacey Act.  A joint investigative effort was conducted by the NPS, Alaska
Fish and Wildlife Protection officers, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
agents.  Evidence was analyzed by the state's scientific crime detection lab
and by Fish and Wildlife's forensics lab.  Although violations of the
Airborne Hunting Act could not be proved, the defendants may be subject to
state charges and could face penalties which could include forfeiture of
their aircraft.  [Jay Wells, CR, WRST, 11/25]

92-622 - Delaware Water Gap (New Jersey/Pennsylvania) - Illegal Baiting

On November 23rd, the opening day of bear season in the park's Pennsylvania
District, rangers came upon an area which had been baited to attract bears. 
Surveillance of the location was begun, and two persons were subsequently
apprehended for hunting over the baited area.  Under the cooperative
agreement the park has with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, state game
officers were notified and the case was referred to the state for
prosecution.  [Doyle Nelson, CR, DEWA, 11/25]

92-623 - Shenandoah (Virginia) - Poaching Arrest

On the morning of November 21st, ranger Russell Jensen received a report of
a man dressed like a hunter standing in the upper Hawksbill Mountain
trailhead parking area.  Although he found no one present in the area,
Jensen staked out the only vehicle in the lot, a 1989 Honda with Alaska
tags.  Shortly thereafter, he observed a male fitting the description
carrying a dead doe out of the woods.  The man was arrested without
incident.  Numerous charges, including hunting in the park, have been filed
against him.  [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 11/21]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at Alaska chief rangers' conference and meetings in
ARO (11/23-11/27).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Most of staff on AL (11/27).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd on AL (11/27); Erskine and Broyles on AL
(11/23-11/27).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573

Telefax:    Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977

CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO

cc:Mail     Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation