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Hunters Guilty in Dove Baiting Scandal
Eleven hunters from Mississippi have pleaded guilty to hunting mourning dove over a baited field in Scott County, officials announced last week.
On September 2, 2017, agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discovered the hunters in a field in Scott County, Mississippi, that had been baited with cracked corn, millet, and rice.
The hunters were found to be violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that regulates the hunting of migratory birds. The maximum possible sentence for hunting over a baited field is up to six months in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
The defendants were each sentenced to a one-year term of probation, during which time they forfeit their right to hunt anywhere in the world, and a $600 fine. Additionally, some of the defendants received additional fines and penalties for other charges.
Dink Rainey Gibson IV, one of the defendants, pleaded guilty to illegally placing the bait on the field and was ordered to pay an additional fine of $2,400 and serve two years of probation. Justin Cochran Russell pleaded guilty to hunting without a license and was ordered to pay an additional $600 fine.
Richard Carl Boozer pleaded guilty to hunting migratory birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shotgun shells and was sentenced to pay an additional $600 fine. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Fulcher.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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