Hoping to generate positives out of the negative effects of poaching incidents in the Estes Valley last week, local residents will sponsor a community meeting Thursday to discuss how to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Jim Boyd, an accounting clerk at the Estes Park Center of the YMCA of the Rockies, will help facilitate the meeting along with Division of Wildlife area manager Rick Spowart.

The session will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hondius Room of the Estes Park Public Library.

Boyd said the slaying of Samson, perhaps the largest and most noble elk in the Estes Valley, has aroused statewide attention and concern.

He said there is a high degree of public awareness about poaching in the Estes Valley, but he is concerned that those who break the law by illegally killing wild animals too often face limited punishment.

Boyd said the Larimer County District Attorney's Office is reluctant to pursue maximum penalties against poachers, and oftentimes District Court judges don't agree with the magnitude of the crimes and offer reduced sentences.

"That is a crime in itself," Boyd said.

Boyd said he hopes Thursday's meeting will begin to send a message to public prosecutors and judges that Estes Park area residents will have zero tolerance for poachers.

All area residents and any other interested individuals are invited to attend the meeting.