Three Western Alaska Residents Face Musk Oxen Poaching Charges

Juneau’s KINY Radio reported that three Western Alaska men face muskox poaching charges for taking an animal in a closed season. Here’s more from the report:

Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Bethel received a report Wednesday that the musk oxen had been poached in an area about 19 miles southwest of Bethel.  Troopers and Forest Service law enforcement officers responded to the area in aircraft and show machines.  Local pilots also assisted and directed them to the location.

The suspected poachers fled on snow machines to the village but were located.

Here’s the complete Alaska Wildlife Troopers dispatch:

On Wednesday, February 9th at about 1500 Bethel AWT received a report that multiple individuals had just poached muskox about 19 miles southwest of Bethel on the mainland. Bethel AWT along with USFW Service law enforcement officers responded to the area by multiple aircraft and snow machines. Other local pilots also assisted in locating the poachers and directing law enforcement to their location. 

Upon contact with law enforcement the poachers fled on snow machine but were pursued and ultimately contacted in the village of Nunapitchuk. Subsequent investigation determined that Mike Enoch, 26 yoa, poached an adult cow and a calf muskox, Terrance Chris, 25 yoa, poached an adult bull muskox and Tony White, 27 yoa, poached an adult bull muskox. All three are residents of the village of Nunapitchuk.  

These muskox had been part of the small mainland herd that have never been available to hunt unlike other regional hunts that take place on Nunivak Island and Nelson Island. AWT assisted by USFWS LEOs seized all meat and the rifles used in this crime, the meat will be donated to regional charities. 

All three defendants were summonsed into the Bethel District Court for taking muskox closed season. AWT thank everyone who assisted in the detection of the crimes, apprehension of defendants. These muskox are an important resource to the region, and this is an excellent example of the community and law enforcement working together for regional goals.