Posted on 11/10/2005 10:10:49 AM PST by NormsRevenge
HELENA, Mont. - A hunter who drew one of two dozen coveted licenses to take part in one of Montana's first bison hunts in 15 years is a convicted felon who legally can't carry a gun.
The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks acknowledged that it has no authority to strip the man of the license. However, officials have alerted the man's probation officer.
"Obviously as a convicted felon (on probation), he cannot possess or use a firearm," said agency spokeswoman Mel Frost. "If he does use a firearm, it is not violating Fish, Wildlife and Parks rules. It is my understanding it is a parole violation."
While the state wildlife agency declined to identify the hunter on probation, a review by The Associated Press of license holders and felons under supervision determined the hunter is Daniel Marshall, 45, of Helena.
Marshall was convicted in May 2002 of writing a bad check. He does not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment.
The wildlife agency alerted the State Department of Corrections that Marshall had received a license to take part in the second hunt, corrections officials told the AP on Wednesday. The hunt is scheduled to begin Jan. 16.
His probation officer, Chris Cavanaugh, said Marshall believed he would no longer be on probation by then. Unlike federal law, once a felon completes his sentence on state charges in Montana, his gun rights are restored.
"Technically he hasn't violated any laws by purchasing a tag," Cavanaugh said. "He was under the belief that he would be done and that he would be able to hunt this bison."
Marshall has not paid all restitution as required, and a judge recently continued his sentence, Cavanaugh said. If he pays back all the money before the hunt, he could go to a judge and ask to be released from probation.
Marshall cannot sell the license, but state wildlife officials said if he chooses to return it, the state likely will hold a drawing to give it to another hunter.
Nearly 6,200 people, most of them Montana residents, applied for a permit. The state drew the names of 24 hunters last month. The first of two bison hunts starts next week.
State officials are carefully orchestrating the hunt, hoping to avoid the controversy that surrounded previous hunts of the animals as they leave Yellowstone National Park.
Animals in the Yellowstone bison herd carry the cattle disease brucellosis, and the state says the hunt will help ensure Montana cattle do not become infected.
Any reason he couldn't use a bow?
Or a pointed stick?
I was thinking more like a long pointed stick.. but that would work too.
PETA would probably sue tho as both an arrow or stick would likely be seen as inhumane. That's why the cavemen are gone, yaknow. ;-)
Egads. I may have written a rubber check or two when I was going to college in Montana. Little did I know.
It was a Monty Python joke.
http://www.jumpstation.ca/recroom/comedy/python/banana.html
Which college?
MSU
No problem, he can always use a compound bow and still not violate his probation. This is another reason I think felons should be catgorized as to the type of felon someone is convicted of. A bad check writer could have a valid reason or excuse, such as writing a check against the deposit of another check received that was not good. No reason to deprive that person from firearm ownwership.
Which the state should provide gratis...
imo
bows and muzzle loaders are not considered firearms...
Well howdy fellow alumn from "Moo-U, the udder university."
Wow, a bison hunt! Can you imagine free meat for a year!
Makes my mouth water for some buffalo. Problem is that the only restaurant around here serving it belongs to Ted Turner. Decisions, decisions.
M.E. 82-86 10th floor North Hedges
Earth Sciences 78-83, married student housing. Did you have a view of the beached whales?
Okay,
This guy wrote a bad check. While I don't condon writing a bad check I think it stinks that the AP wrote this story to start with.
My opinion is the AP writer is opposed to Montana's bison hunt to start with, and used this guy to make it look like a bad thing, where convicted felons will be hunting it.
This is SO OBVIOUS.
Yep. My first year 82-83 I was on that side of the building, could see all of Roskie Beach from my room. Kept dark sunglasses handy for the cetacean glare coming off that lawn in the Spring. Loved that view of the Spanish Peaks and the weekend ballooners.
ROTFL! Last time I was around the old campus you'd hardly recongnize it, really built up. Real pretty country with the mountains. Heading to MT for Thanksgiving and may drive by after spending some time at Bozeman Hotsprings.
Neither are any firearms made prior to 1898, including modern bolt action rifles and i believe handguns.
Had a little discussion here about five years ago about the same thing.http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a4acd4a331e.htm
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