Two more indicted in Kansas deer sting, investigator says case is still open
Two more Texas men -- Justin Klein of Center and Johnny Risinger of Mount Enterprise -- have been indicted on federal Lacey Act violation charges in association with a highly publicized federal deer poaching case in Kansas. And many expect more indictments are soon to follow.
The case, which authorities called one of the biggest of its kind nationwide and the largest ever in Kansas, has already resulted in the conviction of two East Texas men.
In June, James Bobby Butler and Marlin Jackson Butler, both of Martinsville, were sentenced to time in federal prison and healthy fines after they pled guilty to conspiracy and interstate trafficking of game taken illegally in Kansas. James Butler also pled guilty to one obstruction of justice charge. Both men are appealing their sentences.
Investigators say James Butler owned a hunting camp called Camp Lone Star in Kansas' Comanche County, where Marlin Butler worked as a guide. The original indictment in the case states that clients guided by the Butlers and other CLS guides were directed, permitted and encouraged to engage in a variety of illegal hunting practices including hunting without a valid license or permit, hunting with invalid permits, hunting with illegal equipment, taking deer exceeding the bag limit, night hunting or "spotlighting" and improper tagging of deer.
According to the July 19 announcement made by U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom of Wichita, Kan., Klein was indicted on three counts of transporting deer across state lines after the deer were taken illegally in Comanche County. The indictment alleges the deer were taken in violation of Kansas hunting laws on Nov. 1, 2006, and Nov. 1, 2007.
Risinger was indicted on one count of transporting a deer across state lines after the deer was taken illegally in Kansas. The indictment alleges the deer was taken in violation of Kansas hunting laws on Dec. 1, 2005.
If convicted on the Lacey Act charges, Klein and Risinger could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on each count.
The Lacey Act is a federal statute that prohibits wildlife taken illegally from being transported across state lines.
Originally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service targeted as many as 60 hunters suspected of illegally killing more than 100 deer as part of its multi-year investigation dubbed, "Operation Cimarron." Federal and state game wardens seized as evidence more than 100 mounted deer heads and antlers over the course of the investigation.
John Brooks, the special agent who headed up the investigation for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a phone interview on Friday that he could not comment as to whether or not indictments on more hunters might be forthcoming.
"All I can say is the investigation is still open," Brooks said.
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Hunt elk in Colorado
Texas big game hunters who weren't fortunate enough to draw out for a limited number of elk tags allotted for nonresidents in popular western states such as New Mexico, Arizona this year might want to look at Colorado as a backup.
Colorado has more elk (283,000) than any other state and 23 million acres of public land with hunting seasons from August to January. It also is the only state that still offers nonresident and resident hunters the opportunity to purchase unlimited over-the-counter licenses for bull elk. In some units, archery hunters can purchase cow elk tags as well.
Archery, muzzleloader and rifle bear licenses are sold over the counter with a number cap.
You can check for availability of these licenses at www.wildlife.state.co.us/Hunt/BigGame/pdf/otccap.pdf.
For more information on over-the-counter licenses see www.wildlife.state.co.us.
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Chatterbait wins lawsuit
When a lure company introduces a hot new seller, it usually isn't long until others begin knocking it off in hopes of grabbing a piece of the pie.
Z-Man Fishing Products, owners of the popular Chatterbait, recently taught Phenix lure company a lesson about patent and trade dress right infringement on its Chatterbait knock-off, the Vibrator Jig.
Z-man filed a lawsuit against Phenix last spring. Phenix recently agreed to fork over an undisclosed sum to Z-Man. Additionally, the company has agreed to cease all sales of the Vibrator Jig and any other infringing design within 60 days.
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Funding available for conservation
Landowers looking to implement conservation projects on their property such as prescribed burns, selective brush management, restoring native vegetation, protecting ecologically sensitive areas and fencing livestock out of riparian areas may want to check out the TPWD's Landowner Incentive Program as a source of funding.
"LIP offers a number of assistance opportunities in target areas of the state to landowners working to conserve their natural resources for the benefit of at risk wildlife and Texas watersheds," said Arlene Kalmbach, LIP Coordinator.
The program covers between 50 and 75 percent of the proposed project cost with the landowner contributing at least 25 percent for the project through labor, materials, monetary contributions and other methods. Projects showing great benefit to targeted species receive priority as do projects offering long-term conservation and protection.
"There are no acreage restrictions to participate," Kalmbach said. "Interested landowners may contact their local TPWD office and speak with a staff biologist who will aid in an ecological assessment of the land and offer technical guidance on your conservation goals. Together you will decide if the LIP program is right for your project and apply for the applicable funding."
Biologists say the best way to get your project accepted is to have measurable results and be willing to sign a project agreement or management plan. Proposals are received throughout the year and are ranked quarterly among other project proposals from that year. Selection criteria are based on the extent to which the proposed project achieves the goals of the targeted funding series balanced against the cost effectiveness of the proposal. Landowners not chosen for a project are encouraged to reapply.
To learn more, tpwd.state.tx.us/lip/.
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