Hunters, Fishermen Targeted by Feds for Local Violations

[Tim Nunan]

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/huntin ... /id/542648

U.S. law enforcement agencies are conducting thousands of investigations using a law that makes violating state wildlife statutes a federal crime, often ensnaring hunters and fishermen for seemingly minor infractions.

Some even suffer stiff federal prison sentences.

Special agents and wildlife inspectors for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conduct about 2,500 investigative cases a year of violations of the Lacey Act, a 1900 law meant to combat illegal trafficking of wildlife. Additional probes of Lacey Act violations also are conducted by other federal agencies, as well as state and local governments.

Though a small percentage of the Lacey Act cases result in prison time, a high percentage plead guilty, consistent with a federal system in which 97 percent of cases end in plea deals.

But for those imprisoned, ensnared in costly investigations, or who pleaded guilty to reduced charges, the horrible repercussions can have a devastating impact on their livelihoods.

Rock star Ted Nugent, an avid hunter and fisherman, told Newsmax that as a result of federal enforcement actions there are "horror stories serving no meaningful benefit to mankind, wildlife, or law and order whatsoever."

"Good, decent families' lives are being turned upside down and ruined by out-of-control jackboot game agencies, particularly USFW punks," said Nugent, citing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service actions that he said included "Gestapo-type armed raids on Gibson Guitars, Amish farmers, bottled-water companies," and "Lacey Act violations like using the No. 1 popular broad-head hunting arrowhead or arrow nocks that light up."

One source told Newsmax: "I was in prison with men who were incarcerated for violations of the Lacey Act. These were commercial fishermen serving 18-month to three-year sentences for using the wrong net or for some other perceived violation who wound up being prosecuted under federal law."

In addition to the Lacey Act, the Justice Department's Environmental and Natural Resources Division prosecutes various environmental crimes, ranging from Endangered Species Act violations to pollution cases. The division concluded a total of 227 environmental criminal cases against individuals and another 77 cases with corporate defendants from Jan. 21, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2012.

(more at link)