Colorado authorities levied a nearly $20,000 fine against a teenager for shooting and abandoning a moose last November, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

Callan Hyatt, 19, pleaded guilty last week to five misdemeanor wildlife violations, including hunting in a careless manner, failing to locate wounded game, failing to dress wildlife, hunting without a license and illegal possession of wildlife, the department said.

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Hyatt also received a warning for a felony charge of willful destruction of wildlife and could see his hunting and fishing privileges suspended for up to five years, depending on the decision of a CPW hearings examiner.

Another hunter alerted CPW to the dead moose a day after Hyatt shot it, by which time the meat had spoiled. Bennett was eventually identified by boot prints, as well as a .270 caliber rifle in his possession, the same kind used to kill it.

"Thankfully the vast majority of hunters are ethical and do the right thing in cases like this; unfortunately, there are a few that may prefer to try and evade authorities,” CPW District Wildlife Officer Jeff Behncke said in a statement. “We offer everyone this advice; if you accidentally kill the wrong species, you should call us right away and field dress the animal immediately so that it does not spoil."

"A hunter has the absolute responsibility to confirm their target and ethically harvest a legal animal,” said Deputy District Attorney Kathryn Dowdell. “This case represents one of the worst illegal killings and waste of a bull moose in Grand County in recent years."