Charges of big game hunting violations have been leveled against the Klutina Lodge owner/operator, and big game guide, Jimmy West by the Department of Law, Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals it was announced on Friday.

An ongoing investigation by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Glennallen, the WIldlife Troopers Wildlife Investigations Unit in Anchorage, and the National Park Service, found that West had guided an illegal hunt in the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Reserve without a federal commercial use consession in 2009.

It was also found that West had trespassed on native-owned lands within the Copper River Valley in 2011 and 2012 while conducting guided Black Bear hunts. It was also revealed that West had also shot a Black Bear while accompanying a paying client on a hunt in the field in violation of state guidng statutes.

West was also charged with failure to remove his Black Bear baiting stations at the end of the bear hunting season as required by law.

All in all, West was charged with 17 violations during hunting seasons in 2009, 2011, and 2012.

It should be noted that many of the charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of $10,000, and several carry the same jail term with a $30,000 fine.

West’s Cessna 185 was seized in August as it was charged that the aircraft was used in some of the suspected violations.

West’s arraignment is pending in Glennallen District Court.