20-Apr-23, 06:54:26 AM
|
|
24797
|
Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Killing wild game isn't a crime, but selling it is (Tennessee)
|
on: 18-Oct-09, 09:42:42 AM
|
|
Killing wild game isn't a crime, but selling it is
Randy Charles Lindsey had planned to make his living this winter selling the wild game he hunted.
Advertisement
But the sale of $400 worth of doves to an undercover agent last year has landed the Tennessee man in trouble with the federal government. When he sold the doves he shot, the hunter broke a federal law. As a result, Lindsey, 41, is now a convicted felon and could face jail time or probation for violating anti-poaching rules.
John Rayfield, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the charges are relatively rare. Lindsey shot and sold 300 doves over the course of the investigation, agents said. But the number of doves had nothing to do with the federal charges. Selling one dove is against the law.
The federal ban on selling birds was born almost a century ago, at a time when people decorated their hats with egret feathers and wrote with pelican-quill pens. Much has changed since then, but the need for the ban remains, federal authorities say.
"Once you attach a price to it, you go back to the old market hunting days," said Rayfield, who helped the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency investigate Lindsey.
Recently, investigators have caught poachers in Tennessee selling a variety of game. In a garage behind Rayfield's office, the feds are storing 2,000 pounds of mussel shells that are part of a poaching case. The mussels were among tens of thousands illegally harvested from Tennessee rivers and shipped to Japanese pearl-making operations.
Earlier this month, Michael Ray Kirkland, 50, of Knoxville was charged with offering to sell a black bear rug and stuffed waterfowl to an undercover state wildlife agent at a flea market. It is legal to have ducks and geese stuffed as personal hunting trophies, but it's illegal to sell them. Trafficking in bear parts is also prohibited.
"It can create a slippery slope if you allow (game) to be commercialized" and could eventually lead species to be hunted to the brink of extinction, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance spokesman Greg Lawson said.
(2 of 2)
The law is so strict, Nashville hunter and taxidermist Brian Brew isn't allowed to sell stuffed ducks if customers drop them off but never come back to get them.
Advertisement
Though the rules seem harsh at times, Brew said, they are still needed today to keep sportsmen from targeting certain species.
"I understand where these laws are coming from," Brew said. "It might sting my pocketbook sometimes … but they were made for a reason and they need to be kept for a reason."
Restrictions date to 1918
Federal laws restricting the sale of wild game go back to 1918, when Congress first made it illegal to sell migratory birds. It is also against the law to sell their feathers, eggs or nests.
In addition to those federal laws, state law makes the sale of other hunted animals — anything from bass to deer to bears — a misdemeanor punishable by no more than a year in jail. If the animal is sold for $500 or more, the charge is upgraded to a felony.
"All environmental laws relate to quality of life and the ability of the government to protect all people and all creatures," U.S. Attorney Ed Yarbrough said.
Yarbrough's office prosecutes everything from mail fraud to violent criminal offenses. By comparison, a dove salesman may seem relatively harmless, but prosecutors say the crime is serious.
"If we allow people to poach and otherwise go unreined … it destroys the quality of life for the other Tennesseans that follow the rules," Assistant U.S. Attorney John Webb said.
Last fall, a state wildlife agent posing as a caterer approached Lindsey about buying rabbits, according to federal court documents.
In September 2008, that agent met Lindsey at his Nashville home to talk about the rabbits. While they were there, the men also allegedly discussed doves.
Five days later, he sold the undercover agent about 150 mourning doves for $160. Lindsey sold almost 150 more doves to undercover agents in four more visits, according to court records. In all, he collected $394 for the birds.
Convictions of violating federal laws barring the sale of migratory birds can carry prison sentences of up to 2 years. Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending probation or a sentence of no more than six months behind bars for Lindsey.
The federal charge will end his legal hunting career. Lindsey will be a convicted felon, meaning he will no longer be able to lawfully carry a gun.
On Monday, Lindsey is scheduled to appear in state court on several additional charges stemming from the alleged illegal sale of whitetail deer and cottontail rabbits he shot in 2008. Those charges are misdemeanors.
Through his attorney, Lindsey declined to comment on the case.
Wildlife agents believe most hunters know the rules.
"The vast majority of hunters out there are the most conscientious conservationists," he said. "They know the law."
|
|
|
|
|
24798
|
Anything Else / Totally OT / Re: Is it still safe to eat?
|
on: 18-Oct-09, 09:18:17 AM
|
I am WAY over-the-top crazy about food safety, storage, handling etc. I throw a LOT of food away because of expiration dates, etc. etc. Of course, no one has ever gotten sick from my kitchen, but I am kooky about this. A friend sent me the following link, which contains some great information and will assist me when I start "tossing" again (I cleaned the pantry 2 days ago - canned tomatoes - gone!). 
http://www.stilltasty.com/ Why canned tomatoes Janet...did they expire? This is a very handy website....  thanks. |
|
|
|
|
24799
|
Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Re: migration
|
on: 18-Oct-09, 09:15:52 AM
|
Speaking of migration-has anyone seen A/B lately? No postings about sightings in a few days.
Kris
Dan and Brian saw falcon activity Saturday over downtown Rochester. (Neither one has Internet access.) I heard about it third hand and don't have details. Did they say downtown where Shaky....isn't the nest downtown? If A & B are still around, wouldn't they at least make an appearance to the nest? |
|
|
|
|
24802
|
Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Black storks down...so are peregrines, jackdaws and barn owls
|
on: 17-Oct-09, 08:56:16 PM
|
|
Another sad article...what's happening in this world???
By Wire News Sources on October 17, 2009
Malta is an important way-point for birds migrating between Europe and Africa. But the spring and autumn migrations attract illegal hunters, who pick off the birds as they fly overhead. There has been a huge rise in illegal hunting in recent years, prompting conservationist group BirdLife Malta to set up camps to deter illegal hunters. Volunteer Steve Butler reports on his experiences at this year’s camp.
Dead birds being discovered in Mizieb woodland, pic courtesy of BirdLife Malta
It’s 0545 and I am sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley at Mtahleb with my team of fellow volunteers, waiting for the sun to rise.
I strain my eyes to distinguish the figures moving around in the darkness of the surrounding countryside.
As we listen to the dogs barking and the sound of gunshots echoing around the hills, we wonder how the hunters can see the birds at this hour, never mind shoot them.
In the first light we start to discern the hunters’ dogs running in and out of the bushes to flush out quail and turtle dove. One is successful: a turtle dove leaves the tree, we hear shouting and see a hunter raise his gun towards the bird which has flown directly in front of us.
In Malta, hunting licences allow the shooting of turtle dove, quail, woodcock and duck. There is a loud gunshot and we instinctively drop to the floor. As the bird plummets and lead rains down beside us, we wonder if it was skill or fluke that prevented the hunter from shooting one of us by mistake in his frenzy to kill the bird.
The sound of lead periodically sprinkling down around us throughout the early morning is quite unnerving and we are pleased when the sun has finally risen.
Black storks downed
I pack away my binoculars and prepare to head back to camp for breakfast. It has been an uneventful morning for my team - no illegal hunting activity and no protected species to record.
On other days, we are fortunate enough to see the migration of many birds of prey - including kestrels, honey buzzards and marsh harriers - as well as large flocks of herons and even the occasional black stork.
The birds follow three main paths to migrate between the continents:
* East over the Bosporus and Turkey
* West over Gibraltar
* South over Italy and the central Mediterranean islands, including the Maltese archipelago
Sadly during my volunteering, I have witnessed many protected birds being shot down by Maltese hunters.
BirdLife Malta volunteers, pic courtesy of BirdLife Malta
The previous morning we had uncovered the bodies of 201 protected birds in the Mizieb woodland. We then failed to protect two black storks.
We made our presence known, but the hunters clearly felt the storks were a prize worth the risk.
With every hillside lined with hunters, the large, majestic birds did not stand a chance as they slowly circled overhead, looking for a spot to roost for the night.
Three extinct species
Despite these setbacks, I feel as volunteers, we do make a difference to the problem of illegal hunting in Malta.
There are many situations in which I think if we were not here in our bright red BirdLife shirts, these special birds would almost certainly have been killed.
"While BirdLife’s position is not anti-hunting, there is a very serious problem with illegal hunting in Malta, which dates back many years," says Geoff Saliba of BirdLife Malta.
Black winged stilts over Malta, pic courtesy of BirdLife Malta
"Three species have gone extinct in the Maltese islands as a result of illegal hunting - the peregrine falcon, the barn owl and the jackdaw."
One legal hunter (who asked not to be named) has spoken out against illegal hunting in Malta.
"Illegal hunters are destroying the sport I have enjoyed since a child with my grandfather and father," he says.
He adds that the illegal shooting of birds he witnesses on a daily basis is "heartbreaking".
"The youngsters that are doing this do not understand hunting, it is not in their blood, they just want to shoot at anything that flies," he adds.
"Sometimes you see them chasing protected birds in their cars or on motorbikes."
Bird cemetery
The unnamed hunter feels the government needs to make more effort to eradicate illegal hunters by taking measures such as confiscating gun licences.
BirdLife Malta team members hold the body of a dead honey buzzard, pic courtesy of BirdLife Malta
A recent ruling by the European Court has criticised the Maltese government for allowing the hunting of dove and quail during the spring seasons of 2004 - 2007.
The ruling, which has been welcomed by BirdLife, stated that the Maltese government was at fault for not complying with EU birds’ directive.
Throughout this autumn’s bird migration, even in light of the discovery of thewell-publicised "bird cemetery"in Mizieb, the shooting of the black storks and numerous other protected species, the Maltese government has so far failed to comment.
With under-resourced law enforcement and a culture of fear amongst those against illegal hunting, it seems that, for the time-being, BirdLife Malta and its international volunteers could be the birds’ best hope.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
|
|
|
|
|
24803
|
Other Nature Related Information / Falcon Web Cams / Re: Peregrine show on PBS now sat 10-17 6:06pm
|
on: 17-Oct-09, 08:47:09 PM
|
it was Raptor Force.....gotta love them peregrines and Harpy Eagles, they are amazing. Whaddashow!!  I finally figured it out once I went back inside...I was flipping channels and heard kacking, saw a guy with his head in a nestbox talking about Belinda & wanted to post real quick so no one around here would miss it! It was great, the 4th time around! Even hubby liked it.  |
|
|
|
|
24807
|
Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / (SAD) Death of a RedTail
|
on: 17-Oct-09, 03:20:08 PM
|
http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/64319612.html?video=YHI&t=a Video This red-tailed hawk died Wednesday after becoming stuck on a power line. LEWISTON – Officials say it is not uncommon. Still, the death of a red-tailed hawk, caught up in power lines Wednesday, was a tragedy felt by those who experienced it. It happened on Wawawai Road. Passersby noticed the distressed hawk, with its talon stuck to a wire coming off a power pole. Avista was contacted, according to Pam Druffel of Pullman, but said crews could not respond to the scene immediately. But Avista spokesperson Hugh Imhoff said crews did respond within two hours, that they were able to get the hawk untangled from the power line, but that the official from Washington Fish and Wildlife who usually responds to injured raptor reports was out of town and that crews were told to leave the bird alone once it was released. Imhoff said the bird was in a ditch when crews left the scene. Normally an injured raptor would be taken to the WSU Veterinary Hospital. College of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Charlie Powell said in fact the dead hawk was found Wednesday afternoon by Dr. Erik Stauber, a raptor specialist who headed up the raptor rehabilitation program at WSU for over 20 years. Stauber transported the bird to WSU. Powell said the hawk died from electrocution, as evidenced by a foot that was missing. Powell said it is critical to get to the birds early on once they are trapped on a power line, especially on a rainy day when they are unable to preen feathers to stay drive. He said they can also have a wide variety of injuries, usually fractures. Imhoff said Avista responds to a number of calls involving raptors every year. I'm not sure he could be saved but it sure took a long time to get a rescue. Poor baby.
|
|
|
|
|
Loading...
|
|
Show Posts
but I do miss A & B and most of all reports on Mariah.
