2 indicted on poaching-related charges

DENVER - A Utah outfitter and a Colorado taxidermist have been named in a federal indictment accusing them of poaching-related charges.

The indictment, handed up last week, alleges that Eric Leon Butt Jr., 34, Tooele, Utah, encouraged clients to kill big-game animals they did not have licenses for.

Paul Ray Weyand, 36, of Cortez, was accused of preparing mounts of animals he knew, or suspected, had been killed illegally.

The indictment accuses them of interstate transportation of poached wildlife and conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that in September 2002, Butt took two Massachusetts clients on an archery elk hunt. The indictment said one of the hunters shot a black bear with Butt's encouragement.

The indictment cites several other incidents.

Weyand couldn't be reached for comment. Butt declined to comment.