poaching – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Anglers fined thousands for ‘over bagging’ on trophy carp river

Three men were ordered to pay fines totaling more than $4,200 for glaring fishing violations that occurred this past weekend on the Connecticut River.

According to the Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police, an officer responding to a tip out of Cromwell found the men to be in possession of gross over limits.

Additionally, the men did not possess valid fishing licenses and exceeded the number of rods and reels allowed by law.

A photo released by the agency shows 32 carp laid out on a lawn. The Connecticut River is a designated “trophy carp body of water.” The daily creel limit is one carp per angler, measuring less than 26 inches.

In a news release issued Monday via social media, the CSECP stated that the officer was acting on a report of three males were “over bagging on carp.”

ALSO: Watch as large bear vanishes in snow, as if by magic

“Upon arrival our Officer observed a large carp hanging out of a cooler in the area of the 3 men fishing,” the agency explained. “Upon further inspection another cooler was checked which was filled to capacity.”

The dead carp were donated to a nearby rehabilitation center for injured mammals and birds of prey.

Hundreds of illegal shark fins seized at Texas restaurant

Wardens conducting a search last week at a restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, discovered 381 whole shark fins and 29.2 pounds of frozen shark fins inside a commercial freezer.

Wardens conducting a search last week at a restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, discovered 381 whole shark fins and an additional 29.2 pounds of frozen shark fins inside a commercial freezer.

Because the case is pending, Texas Game Wardens, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, did not identify the Bexar County restaurant or its owners in a news release issued Monday.

A K-9 unit assisted in the search of the property. The fins were seized as evidence.

Texas in 2016 joined the list of U.S. states and territories to ban the sale and possession of shark fins.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Rarely seen wolverines anything but shy in trail-cam footage

Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in some Asian communities. Shark finning entails catching sharks solely for their fins. Fishermen often toss sharks back to die a slow death after their fins have been removed.

By some estimates, more than 70 million sharks are killed annually by shark finning.

Bald eagle shot in Tennessee, prompting federal investigation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for the public’s help regarding the shooting of a bald eagle in Tennessee.

The mature eagle, found on Feb. 28 alongside Ebenezer Rd. near Reagan in Henderson County, was euthanized because of its injuries.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency stated Friday that “a potential reward is being offered for information leading to the prosecution of a person or persons involved in the criminal offense.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the USFWS at 615-736-5532 or the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 731-423-5725.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Can you spot the rattlesnake in Arizona man’s yard?

The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.

Although removed from the endangered species list in 2007, bald eagles remain protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Four Texans cited for poaching alligator in Louisiana

Four men from Texas have been cited for their suspected roles in an alligator-poaching incident Sunday in Louisiana’s Assumption Parish.

The Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife cited the men after responding to a complaint about an alligator carcass left at a truck stop.

Agents located the alligator and discovered a bullet hole in its head. Video footage from the truck stop implicated the four men.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Rarely seen wolverines anything but shy in trail-cam video footage

The men, cited for killing an alligator out of season, were identified as Boyd Bumbera, 23, from Brookshire; Baron Vargas, 27, and Manuel Gomez, 33, from Houston, and Jesus Fajardo, 35, from Baytown.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated in a news release that alligator hunting in the region does not open until the last Saturday in August.

Killing an alligator during a closed season carries fines of between $400 and $950, and up to 120 days in jail. The men might also be forced to pay civil restitution totaling $375 for the “replacement value” of the alligator.

–Alligator image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Poacher nabbed with illegal snook catch despite clever ploy

A Florida angler was cited for possession of illegally caught snook that were discovered hidden beneath a false cooler insert.

A Florida fisherman was cited for possession of illegally caught snook that were discovered hidden beneath a false cooler insert.

“Think you can outsmart our officers? Think again!” My Florida Fish and Wildlife wrote Tuesday in a statement.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Injured elephant receives prosthetic brace, becomes ‘fashionista’

Law enforcement was tipped off by a concerned citizen, as anglers are required to release snook caught in Sarasota County through May 31.

“When the officer opened the lid to the cooler, all he could see were groceries,” Fish and Wildlife explained. “But, when a false insert sized to fit within the dimensions of the cooler lifted out, seven snook were in a sneaky hiding space.”

The person was issued multiple citations and “the fish were returned to the water to become food for other marine life.”

–Snook image courtesy of My Florida Fish and Wildlife

Suspected poacher caught with 2,611 pompano over the limit

A commercial fisherman in Florida has been cited for unlawful use of a gill net in a restricted area and possessing 2,611 pompano over the allowable limit.

A commercial fisherman in Florida has been cited for unlawful use of a monofilament gill net in a restricted area and possessing 2,611 pompano over the allowable limit.

Ronald Edward Birren, captain of the 48-foot vessel Legacy, was confronted by officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in federal waters, 5.5 miles south of the Pompano Endorsement Zone inside the Gulf of Mexico.

The net was aboard the boat, bristling with its catch.

The boat was escorted back to Everglades City, where FWC officers determined that the net contained 2,711 pompano. (Fishermen outside the endorsement zone are allowed up to 100 pompano as bycatch.)

The weight of the catch was nearly 4,000 pounds. Some of the fish were undersized.

Birren, 52, of Hernando Beach, was cited for possession of more than the allowable bycatch limit, and undersized pompano.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Recent catch outside Yellowstone National Park is cause for alarm

The FWC did not disclose the day Birren was cited, but in a news release issued Monday, Maj. Alberto Maza, FWC South Region B Commander, stated: “Our officers are dedicated to protecting our state and federal fishery resources. Violations such as this one highlights the importance of the work that these men and women do every day.”

Monofilament gill nets are banned in Florida state waters and restricted in federal waters. Violations pertaining to their use in state waters constitute third-degree felonies.

Four men ordered to pay $50,000 in ‘disturbing poaching case’

A years-long investigation in Montana revealed that the four men unlawfully took dozens of game animals, and were cited for many violations.

In what was described as one of the most disturbing poaching cases in recent history, four men were sentenced in Montana’s 16^th Judicial District Court in Garfield County for their roles in unlawfully taking 48 game animals, bringing a close to an investigation that began in 2014.

In a plea bargain, Richard LeBlanc of Rhode Island, Marc Federico of Rhode Island, Stephen Schenck of Massachusetts and William Mathews of Florida were jointly and individually ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and received six-month suspended jail sentences, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Wednesday.

LeBlanc’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for 10 years, while Federico, Schenck and Mathews’ privileges were suspended for eight, seven and two years, respectively.

LeBlanc and other members of his hunting parties had already accumulated 31 citations for numerous violations stemming from poaching activities around the Byron Kerr Ranch in Garfield and McCone counties from 2005 to 2011.

Additional information received in 2014 prompted the latest lengthy investigation.

“The poachers targeted deer and antelope, but their main focus was the unlawful hunting of mule deer bucks in hunting district 652,” said Fish, Wildlife and Parks Criminal Investigator Steve Marx.

Mule deer bucks in HD 652 can only be hunted with a special permit obtained through the state’s drawing system.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Poacher caught with protected species in case with surprise ending

Charges included failing to wear hunter orange, shooting from the roadway, loan and transfer of hunting licenses, taking an over limit of game animals, waste of game, possession of unlawfully killed deer and antelope, hunting during a closed season, hunting without a valid license, hunting without a valid permit, failure to tag, felony possession of wildlife and conspiracy to commit an offense.

Two others were sentenced earlier and given lighter penalties in the case. Joseph Caetano of Massachusetts was ordered to pay $3,750, received a six-month suspended jail sentence and lost hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 10 years, and Austin Bridwell of Florida was ordered to pay $1,400, received a 12-month suspended jail sentence and lost hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for two years.

“FWP enforcement’s excellent work and diligence resulted in the exposure of one of the most disturbing poaching cases in recent history,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Hank Worsech. “From initial investigations to sentencing, our wardens demonstrated their commitment to the stewardship and protection of Montana’s outdoor resources.”

During the course of the investigation, 18 other violators were discovered, apprehended and prosecuted during the operation. Fines and fees ranged from $135 to $3,210 with restitution in nine cases either $500 or $1,000. Fifteen lost privileges for 24 to 36 months.

Photos of mule deer courtesy of National Park Service and Wikipedia Commons.

Search on for Oregon deer poacher who ‘fled the scene’

Oregon officials are seeking help from the public in finding a poacher who “fled the scene” after killing a deer on private property and removing its head.

State Troopers continue to investigate the incident, which occurred Dec. 9, 2021, in Lane County.

The suspect is described as being 5-foot-1 with brown hair and beard. He was driving a late 1990s white Chevrolet flatbed pickup.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a news release issued Feb. 2 that the man shot the buck close to a private residence and alongside a driveway leading to other homes.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Anglers set out for tuna, land 1,000-pound marlin

The suspect “fled the scene” on foot, and later in his truck, after he was encountered by a passerby, the ODFW explained. The man left behind the deer carcass and head, which he likely removed to keep as a trophy.

Senior Trooper Josh Wolcott and a Conservation K-9 named Buck conducted a field survey and Wolcott collected evidence. Wolcott field-dressed the carcass and the meat was donated to local charities.

“The silver lining to poaching cases like this – where we are able to locate the animal while it’s still salvageable – is that the meat is put to good use,” he said.

A $500 reward is being offered to the person who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anglers busted with 152 crappie over the daily limit

Authorities in Mississippi have busted two anglers in possession of 152 crappie over the limit at Enid Lake.

Apparently, a statewide daily creel limit of 30 crappie was not sufficient for two anglers at Mississippi’s Enid Lake.

Authorities on Thursday announced that after receiving a recent call regarding “suspicious activity” at the lake, an officer encountered two individuals in possession of 152 crappie over the limit.

The bust was carried out by Cpl. Brian Tallent of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The unidentified anglers also were charged with game violations.

The DWFP’s Col. Jerry Carter stated in a news release: “We would like to thank the general public for reporting game violations thereby allowing our officers to further protect our state’s wildlife resources. We would also like to thank Cpl. Brian Tallent for his work in this investigation.”

The world record for white crappie – 5 pounds, 3 ounces, by angler Fred Bright – was set at Enid Lake in 1957.

10 arrested in Florida for illegally netting 500 pounds of fish

Authorities in Florida have charged 10 suspects for illegally using monofilament gill nets to capture and kill more than 500 pounds of fish, including sharks.

All 10 suspects are from Atlanta, Ga. They were arrested and charged recently after being found in possession of four gill nets spanning 1,600 feet at the Skyway Bridge North Rest Area in St. Petersburg.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced details of the bust Thursday.

The suspects were identified as Marcos Lopez Navarrete (27), Ernesto Lopez Navarrete (35), Roberto Gonzalez Lopez (41), Carlos Lopez Santana (18), Fredy Lopez Navarrete (38), Fredy Lopez Reyez (18), Rafael Castro Herrera (40), Daniel Reyez Valente (26), Efren Lopez Navarette (43) and Lorenzo Lopez Navarette (40).

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Can you spot the five bobcats captured in this photo?

Each suspect was charged with a third-degree felony for use of illegal gill nets. The men also were charged with first- and second-degree misdemeanor violations pertaining to the illegal capture of various species, including permit, black drum, snook, blue crab, trout, sharks, and sheepshead.

The maximum penalty for a third-degree felony is five years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. The maximum penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor charge is one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Second-degree misdemeanor charges carry a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Monofilament gill nets, which are invisible underwater, kill indiscriminately by trapping fish by the gills. The nets, suspended underwater via floats, also pose substantial threats to marine mammals, endangered sea turtles, and diving birds.

The FWC said that the amount of netting seized as evidence spanned “more than four-and-a-half football fields.”

The arrests occurred after a period of surveillance following an anonymous tip.

Monofilament gill nets were banned in Florida in 1995.