Man gets $4,000 ticket for illegal possession of elk antlers

SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — A judge has ordered a New Mexico man to pay the state Department of Game and Fish $4,000 for illegal possession of a set of trophy elk antlers. The Silver City Sun-News reported (http://bit.ly/2r2Vx6f ) Monday that 40-year-old Michael C. Aguirre was issued the fine in a civil case that stems from a November 2015 traffic stop. Aguirre was questioned by game wardens about a trophy set of elk antlers found in the bed of his pickup during the traffic stop. Aguirre told the officers he picked up the antler rack while deer hunting with his son. The antlers were still attached to part of the animal's skull and Aguirre was cited for illegal possession of game animal parts out of season. The antlers also were seized.