News
Man Accused Of Illegal Lion Kill
RAPID CITY (AP) — A 34-year-old Piedmont man has been charged with shooting a mountain lion without a license.
Officials say Dave Hudson shot the animal in November during the state lion season.
Hudson did not have a permit to hunt mountain lions.
Authorities allege he had a friend — who had a lion license — claim that he shot the cat.
“Essentially, he (Hudson) shot a mountain lion without a license and had a buddy with a tag show up,” said Scot Hawks of Sturgis, a state conservation officer.
Hudson faces up to a year in jail if convicted of illegally shooting the mountain lion and could be ordered to pay a $5,000 civil fine.
A tip to the Turn In Poachers hot line led authorities to Hudson.
“The caller was an anonymous caller. We met with him, and through the course of the investigation he turned into a star witness,” Hawks said.
Officials say Dave Hudson shot the animal in November during the state lion season.
Hudson did not have a permit to hunt mountain lions.
Authorities allege he had a friend — who had a lion license — claim that he shot the cat.
“Essentially, he (Hudson) shot a mountain lion without a license and had a buddy with a tag show up,” said Scot Hawks of Sturgis, a state conservation officer.
Hudson faces up to a year in jail if convicted of illegally shooting the mountain lion and could be ordered to pay a $5,000 civil fine.
A tip to the Turn In Poachers hot line led authorities to Hudson.
“The caller was an anonymous caller. We met with him, and through the course of the investigation he turned into a star witness,” Hawks said.
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