January 20, 2009
Utah – Good things happen to those who wait. Just ask Mary
Moulton.
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Mary Moulton with
her 5x5 elk. Photo by Gary Moulton |
During most of the year, Mary lives and works at Fish Lake near
Richfield. She's an avid hunter, and she has hunted the area for
years.
During the 2007 general season spike bull elk hunt, Mary was going
about her business when she heard rifle shots above her home. She
looked up in time to see a person shoot a branch-antlered bull elk
and then abandon the animal. (Branch-antlered bulls may not be
taken during the spike bull elk hunt.)
Mary later saw the same person rifle in hand still hunting in the
area. She contacted wildlife officers and let them know what she
saw. The officers arrested the individual and later obtained a
conviction in court.
Because the arrest resulted in a conviction, the Division of
Wildlife Resources issued a poaching-reported-reward permit to
Mary. The permit was good for the limited entry bull elk hunt on
the Fish Lake unit in 2008.
On the opening morning of the 2008 hunt, Mary bagged an enormous
bull elk. The bull had five antler points on each of its antlers.
Mary named the bull "Last Chance." She named the animal this
because she thinks it might be the last big bull she takes.
Mary Moulton is 72 years old.
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