Hunt_News
10-11-05, 08:17
Wisconsin hunters fined for shooting ducks near Devils Lake
NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. -- Two Wisconsin hunters have been fined and have turned in their shotguns for shooting ducks northeast of Devils Lake during North Dakota's early Canada goose season, authorities say.
Warren Hunter, 42, of Spooner, Wis., and Edward Slavick Jr., 41, of Minong, Wis., paid $825 each in fines and court costs, officials said. The two waived an appearance in court in exchange for the payments, and authorities confiscated their guns.
Under the original waiver, the hunters would lose their hunting and fishing privileges through 2007. Judge Lee Christofferson reduced the suspension to one year from the date of the violation.
Game and Fish Department warden Gene Masse, in New Rockford, said a tip from the state's "Report All Poachers" hot line led authorities to the men.
Deputies found the hunters had shot four ducks two weeks before North Dakota's regular waterfowl opener. The early season is open only for Canada geese.
Hunter and Slavick admitted shooting the ducks, the deputies' report said. Authorities said they later found more ducks in a garbage pit near the farmhouse where the men were staying.
Wisconsin officers stopped the hunters on their return home, Masse said. Hunter and Slavick also were fined $243 each for transporting Canada geese without proper identification, he said.
The hunters admitted throwing the ducks in the garbage pit, Masse said. Their cooperation helped them avoid federal charges, he said.
NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. -- Two Wisconsin hunters have been fined and have turned in their shotguns for shooting ducks northeast of Devils Lake during North Dakota's early Canada goose season, authorities say.
Warren Hunter, 42, of Spooner, Wis., and Edward Slavick Jr., 41, of Minong, Wis., paid $825 each in fines and court costs, officials said. The two waived an appearance in court in exchange for the payments, and authorities confiscated their guns.
Under the original waiver, the hunters would lose their hunting and fishing privileges through 2007. Judge Lee Christofferson reduced the suspension to one year from the date of the violation.
Game and Fish Department warden Gene Masse, in New Rockford, said a tip from the state's "Report All Poachers" hot line led authorities to the men.
Deputies found the hunters had shot four ducks two weeks before North Dakota's regular waterfowl opener. The early season is open only for Canada geese.
Hunter and Slavick admitted shooting the ducks, the deputies' report said. Authorities said they later found more ducks in a garbage pit near the farmhouse where the men were staying.
Wisconsin officers stopped the hunters on their return home, Masse said. Hunter and Slavick also were fined $243 each for transporting Canada geese without proper identification, he said.
The hunters admitted throwing the ducks in the garbage pit, Masse said. Their cooperation helped them avoid federal charges, he said.