Three men from Arkansas who illegally killed two deer in late October in southwest Colorado have paid more than $20,000 in fines.

The men violated Colorado’s “Samson Law” which imposes heavy penalties for illegally killing trophy-class animals. Depending on the species, the fines range from $4,000 to $25,000.

The men, who admitted guilt after an investigation by a state wildlife officer, were hunting near Vallecito Reservoir about 30 miles northeast of Durango.

The men were Frank Kelly, 60, and Gerald Harp, 65, both of Springdale, Ark., and Lonnie Blakemore, 66, of Farmington, Ark.

During routine patrol Oct. 24, a state official received a tip about two large buck deer that might have been taken illegally near an area known as Freeman Park above Vallecito Reservoir.

Blakemore, it was learned, had killed a small buck Oct. 23. Later that afternoon, Blakemore saw a large buck and shot it, even though he already had filled his license. Blakemore’s action was illegal.

In an attempt to cover up the kill, Kelly agreed to place his license tag illegally on the large deer.

The next morning Kelly saw a large buck and killed it. But because he no longer had a valid license, Harp agreed to place his tag on the deer.

All three men’s actions violated Colorado’s wildlife laws. Kelly paid the entire fine of $22,192.

The two large deer were confiscated, and the meat was donated to a local food bank. Blakemore was allowed to keep the first deer because it was shot and tagged legally.