A Nevada man was sentenced to a gross misdemeanor and a suspended one-year jail term for the illegal killing of a pronghorn antelope.
The Honorable Barry Breslow issued the sentence. After the State, represented by Deputy District Attorney Robert Erquiaga, argued that 39-year-old Henry Remick, should receive a felony conviction.
According to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, the Nevada Department of Wildlife received a report in May of last year that Remick was witnessed shooting and killing the antelope illegally. The reporting party told NDOW they found shell casings, tire tracks, and a pool of blood where they had seen the shooting about 30 minutes earlier. As they left the area, they observed Remick skinning the antelope on his property.
A game warden was notified and, upon arriving at Remick’s home, saw an antelope head and cape hanging from the fence. During a warranted search of the property, Remick told game wardens he knew why they were there. When reminded of the law regarding hunting licenses and tags, he responded, “That’s right… everyone needs their money,” and “I do this sh*t cause I’m free.”
At sentencing, the State argued for a felony conviction rather than a gross misdemeanor, recommending a 30-month suspended sentence, probation, and a $2,500 civil penalty. Also noting a felony conviction would prevent Remick from owning firearms.
Under NRS 501.376(1), felony killing of a big game animal, a defendant may be punished as a category E felony or gross misdemeanor at the court’s discretion. The State argued for the felony based on Remick’s failure to obtain a hunting license and tags, killing the antelope outside the lawful season, and what he described as a lack of appreciation for the seriousness of the offense and the role of licensing, tag limits, the tag lottery system, and conservation efforts in maintaining a healthy pronghorn population for Nevada residents.
