Every dove hunter hears about "dove baiting," and often worry about it. Consider the cases of Billy J. Kerr and George M. Moss, and they have good reason to worry.
Moss and Kerr, both of Campbellsville, Kentucky, were sentenced this month by the U.S. Magistrate Court, Western District of Kentucky, in Bowling Green, for unlawfully killing doves on opening day of dove season.
Following a plea agreement, Billy J. Kerr pled guilty and admitted that, in addition to hunting doves over a baited field, he had placed the bait (wheat) -- a separate offense-- to lure doves to a field located at the Whitney and Whitney Lumber Company in Campbellsville, Ky., where he and others were hunting.
Kerr was sentenced to pay a total of $1,250.00 in fines, $35.00 in special assessments, and placed on two years unsupervised probation during which time he is prohibited from hunting migratory birds, such as doves, ducks, and geese.
George M. Moss pled guilty to the charge of hunting doves over bait. The court considered that this was his 3rd offense for the same charge, and sentenced Moss to 15 days in Federal prison, all of which was suspended on the condition that Moss not violate the terms of his probation. This included a special condition that Moss not obtain a hunting license, and not hunt anything, anywhere in the United States for two years. In addition, Moss was sentenced to pay a $1,000.00 fine and a $25.00 special assessment.
This case was investigated by wildlife officers with the Kentucky
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources who referred it to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for Federal prosecution.
Regulations promulgated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibit the hunting of migratory birds, such as doves, ducks, and geese, over baited areas. In this case, 12 areas were documented in the field where wheat had been poured out to lure doves to the hunters.