
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 24, 1995                   TAG: 9508240088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

UNDERCOVER PROBE NETS 11 ARRESTS FOR POACHING

An undercover investigation by state and federal officials ended in charges against 11 men for poaching in and around Shenandoah National Park.

The men from Greene, Page and Rockingham counties were arrested early Monday on charges ranging from illegally selling deer antlers to poaching in the park.

``We believe the information we obtained from the people arrested today will lead us to more arrests,'' park spokesman Doug Raeburn said Monday.

Raeburn said state and federal officials had been on the trail of the men for 10 months.

Raeburn said an undercover agent was able to work his way into the group and accompanied some of the men on hunting forays into the park, where hunting is banned. The agent also bought animal parts from the group, including 291 sets of deer antlers, two bear hides and a snakeskin gun sling. The agent paid the men $3,078 for the material.

More than 130 state and federal charges were filed against the men.

by CNB