Llama shot with an Elk tag

D Winkler · 02-08-2009

New York Man Goes Elk Hunting, Tags a Llama Instead

February 6, 2009.

A lot of you may have received the same email I did — the one that included photos of a gutted llama in the back of a pickup that was allegedly shot in Montana by an elk hunter from New York.

The photos included one of the hunter's elk license, which had been punched and attached to the llama's carcass.

I went on the website of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and verified that it was a real license that really belonged to a hunter named Rusty Saunders of Fort Edward, N.Y.

However, I was still skeptical that the photos really represented a hunter's mistake. In particular, the lead rope in the back of the pickup suggested that someone had led an unwanted llama out to slaughter it, then kept the carcass.

It turns out that this was not a hoax email, however.

The Billings Gazette and Montana FWP have confirmed that Mr. Saunders, a hunter from New York, came across a feral llama and mistook it for an elk. At some point, he realized his mistake and turned himself in.

Turns out that shooting a wild llama does not violate any statutes in Montana, so Mr. Saunders was not cited. I susupect he is not enjoying his 15 minutes of fame, however.

For what it's worth, I've heard that llama is good eating.

Hunt The West - New York Man Goes Elk Hunting, Tags a Llama Instead

D Winkler · 02-08-2009

here's the pic. I can't believe that someone could make that mistake.

shortbus · 02-08-2009

Oh man that is awesome!

That poor guy will never live that down.

I can see however, how one could be possibly mistaken with the dark color and all from a distance, but for crying out loud once you get a good enough look to shoot that ought to change. Obviously, this guy had no clue because he even gutted the damn thing.

oucorry · 02-08-2009

How do you gut the thing and still not know what it is? Amazing

Marvin · 02-08-2009

I hope I am NEVER even remotely close that guy when I'm hunting.

D Winkler · 02-08-2009

maybe they should put a picture of the animal on the license.

spe1737 · 04-23-2010

Yes, a picture would help a lot! I once shot Santa thinking it was Rudolf. Boy was I embarrassed finding all those cookies and milk when I gutted him.

shortbus · 05-06-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by spe1737

Yes, a picture would help a lot! I once shot Santa thinking it was Rudolf. Boy was I embarrassed finding all those cookies and milk when I gutted him.

Nice...

spe1737 · 05-13-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortbus

Oh man that is awesome!

That poor guy will never live that down.

I can see however, how one could be possibly mistaken with the dark color and all from a distance, but for crying out loud once you get a good enough look to shoot that ought to change. Obviously, this guy had no clue because he even gutted the damn thing.

Dove are blue right? haha

oudave · 06-05-2010

knew the guy that ran checkin station in tishimingo along time ago said he had a guy bring a donkey in 1 time just laughed at the guy and joke with him till game warden got there

02-08-2009	#1 (permalink)
D Winkler Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 755 Images: 17	Llama shot with an Elk tag New York Man Goes Elk Hunting, Tags a Llama Instead February 6, 2009. A lot of you may have received the same email I did — the one that included photos of a gutted llama in the back of a pickup that was allegedly shot in Montana by an elk hunter from New York. The photos included one of the hunter's elk license, which had been punched and attached to the llama's carcass. I went on the website of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and verified that it was a real license that really belonged to a hunter named Rusty Saunders of Fort Edward, N.Y. However, I was still skeptical that the photos really represented a hunter's mistake. In particular, the lead rope in the back of the pickup suggested that someone had led an unwanted llama out to slaughter it, then kept the carcass. It turns out that this was not a hoax email, however. The Billings Gazette and Montana FWP have confirmed that Mr. Saunders, a hunter from New York, came across a feral llama and mistook it for an elk. At some point, he realized his mistake and turned himself in. Turns out that shooting a wild llama does not violate any statutes in Montana, so Mr. Saunders was not cited. I susupect he is not enjoying his 15 minutes of fame, however. For what it's worth, I've heard that llama is good eating. Hunt The West - New York Man Goes Elk Hunting, Tags a Llama Instead __________________ Take care of our Forests. The animals I like to kill live there.

02-08-2009	#2 (permalink)
D Winkler Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 755 Images: 17	here's the pic. I can't believe that someone could make that mistake. __________________ Take care of our Forests. The animals I like to kill live there.

02-08-2009	#3 (permalink)
shortbus Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 7,083 Images: 1	Oh man that is awesome! That poor guy will never live that down. I can see however, how one could be possibly mistaken with the dark color and all from a distance, but for crying out loud once you get a good enough look to shoot that ought to change. Obviously, this guy had no clue because he even gutted the damn thing. __________________ Hunting and Fishing...what else is there?

02-08-2009	#6 (permalink)
D Winkler Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 755 Images: 17	maybe they should put a picture of the animal on the license. __________________ Take care of our Forests. The animals I like to kill live there.

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02-08-2009	#4 (permalink)
oucorry Administrator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Blanchard, ok Posts: 1,125 Images: 7	How do you gut the thing and still not know what it is? Amazing

02-08-2009	#5 (permalink)
Marvin Wingman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 126	I hope I am NEVER even remotely close that guy when I'm hunting.

04-23-2010	#7 (permalink)
spe1737 Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 49 Images: 4	Yes, a picture would help a lot! I once shot Santa thinking it was Rudolf. Boy was I embarrassed finding all those cookies and milk when I gutted him.

06-05-2010	#10 (permalink)
oudave Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 60	knew the guy that ran checkin station in tishimingo along time ago said he had a guy bring a donkey in 1 time just laughed at the guy and joke with him till game warden got there

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