Man On The Run For 20-Years Finally Nabbed In Wyoming

They say time will ease your pain, but it delayed the inevitable in one Wyoming poaching case. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department takes poaching seriously, and it doesn't matter how much time passes; you can still be held accountable.

There is no statute of limitations on crimes that have anything to do with wildlife in Wyoming. If you poached a mule deer in 1998, you can be charged with the crime decades later.

That's what happened when a man formerly from Lysite, WY.

According to WGFD, Kenny Craig, who is now 53, was in his early twenties when the incident happened in 1998. He killed a 5x5 mule deer buck in an area that was a limited quota area, and he didn't have the proper license for that area. He decided to tag the deer with his brother's limited quota license to worsen the situation. He also said he was a resident of Wyoming but hadn't lived in the state for more than the 1-year minimum to reach resident status and had never completed a required hunter education course.

These are serious crimes in hunting and fishing, and WGFD will work to solve the case.

Now retired WGFD game wardens began investigating the case in 1999. After the investigation, they issued citations with a 'must-appear' label. When the court date came around, the man high-tailed it to Alabama to avoid the charges, and early the following year, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

For the next couple of decades, the man steered clear of Wyoming until last year, when he was arrested and sentenced on a warrant issued 20+ years ago. He was charged with the original wildlife crimes, and as part of the plea deal, he was fined over $1400 and lost his hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for three years.

WGFD Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunter stated:

Cases like these send a clear message: wildlife crimes will not be ignored, no matter how much time has passed.

Poaching is a crime, and anyone who does it should be prosecuted. If you hear of, know of, or see someone committing a wildlife crime, like poaching, WGFD wants to hear from you.

Contact the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP or submit an online report at wgfd.wyo.gov/enforcement. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward through the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s Association.