The Howard man who killed and discarded a mother bear and her two cubs and then removed their heads and sawed off their paws received a sentence of two years probation and more than $19,000 in fines this week in Fremont County District Court.

53-year-old Paul Stromberg pleaded guilty to one county of willful destruction of wildlife, a felony, and one count of failure to properly dress wildlife, a misdemeanor.

Deputy District Attorney Taylor Smith said contrary to what the public may believe, a probation sentence is not a “slap on the wrist.”  She said, “Probation is difficult, it is time-inducing and expensive.” 

If Stromberg is not successful with probation, he faces a felony conviction and a prison sentence of up to three years. 

Conditions of probation include no further violations of the law, relinquishment of all firearms and weapons, 150 hours of public service, a $1,000 donation to Operation Game Thief, $750 in restitution and $19,300 in fines.       

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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