On Wednesday, August 20, 60-year-old big game hunting guide Jim West plead guilty to four misdemeanor hunting and guiding violations.
The three year investigation initially began when West was charged with 17 hunting and guiding violations stemming from big game hunts he guided through Wrangell St. Elias Park and Preserve in 2009 and on native-owned lands in 2011 and 2012.
Wednesday he plead guilty to being a guide while helping a client illegally take a moose in 2009, taking game while guiding clients in 2011 and for not removing bear baiting stations in 2011 and 2012.
The other charges he had faced were dismissed as part of his plea deal.
West was sentenced to a total of $40,000 with $32,000 suspended; a two-year suspension of his guiding license with that time suspended by the court; 20 days in jail with 20 suspended; 80 hours community work service; and three years of probation. The Cessna 185 seized during the investigation will be returned to West.
