Eric Laney Bryant, Wildlife Poisoning, Missouri 2009

Raymondville, Missouri – A Missouri hunting guide has been penalized for a disturbing case of illegal wildlife poisoning, according to federal court records. Eric Laney Bryant, operating a hunting service in Raymondville, was ordered to pay a $500 fine after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the deliberate contamination of deer meat with a restricted-use pesticide.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Missouri Department of Conservation investigated the incident, which took place in January and February of 2009. Bryant intentionally injected Carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide, into deer meat and then strategically placed the poisoned bait on his property with the explicit goal of eliminating coyotes. This act constituted a blatant disregard for both environmental regulations and animal welfare.

Agents from the Missouri Department of Conservation discovered a grim scene on Bryant’s property on February 26, 2009. The investigation revealed a significant number of animal deaths directly linked to Carbofuran poisoning, including three domestic dogs, multiple coyotes, a gray fox, a skunk, a red-tailed hawk, and three American crows. The discovery prompted immediate federal charges, highlighting the severity of the offense.

At the time of the incident, while Carbofuran is now prohibited, its use was restricted under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Bryant was not a certified applicator authorized to handle the pesticide, and the intentional poisoning of wildlife is demonstrably *not* a permitted use of the substance. Furthermore, Bryant’s actions violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act due to the deaths of the protected red-tailed hawk and American crows.

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Legal Ramifications

Bryant was initially charged on August 31, 2009, with two counts of violating 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(F) – the unlawful distribution, sale, or use of restricted-use pesticides – and one count of violating 16 U.S.C. 703, pertaining to the illegal killing of migratory birds. He subsequently pleaded guilty to all three counts on November 2, 2009, receiving a $500 federal fine as his sentence. While seemingly lenient, the case underscores the challenges in prosecuting environmental crimes and the need for stricter penalties to deter such behavior.

Key Facts

Defendant: Eric Laney Bryant
Location: Raymondville, Missouri
Crime: Illegal Wildlife Poisoning
Pesticide Used: Carbofuran
Victims: Domestic dogs, coyotes, fox, skunk, hawk, crows
Laws Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(F) & 16 U.S.C. 703
Penalty: $500 Federal Fine
Date of Plea: November 2, 2009

The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the misuse of pesticides and the importance of adhering to federal and state regulations designed to protect both wildlife and the public. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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