Denver ? A 19-year-old Montrose man, convicted of illegal possession of wildlife, must pay nearly $7,000 in fines and could be barred from hunting and fishing in Colorado and 19 other states for the rest of his life.

After a seven-month investigation by state officers, Jason R. Duggan of Montrose was charged with numerous wildlife violations in October 2004. He reached a plea agreement in early May.

Duggan also was required to forfeit the hunting rifle he used to kill the deer and could face a year in jail if he does not pay the fine.

Judge John Joseph Mitchel told the court that the sentence he imposed would send a clear message to others that the illegal killing of wildlife would not be tolerated in Colorado.

Duggan also faces a special hearing with the DOW to determine how long his hunting and fishing privileges will be suspended. There is a strong possibility he never will hunt or fish in Colorado again.

In addition, any suspension automatically will be applied in the 19 other states that participate in a special wildlife-crimes compact with Colorado.

On further investigation, officers learned he might have been involved in the illegal killing of other big game, small game and fur-bearing animals.

Later, he admitted he had killed eight buck deer within the past two years, and he confessed to small-game violations, including the use of leghold traps.