Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7023733
10/21/20 10:27 PM
10/21/20 10:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,182 McGrath, AK
white17
"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,182
McGrath, AK
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Kristen Schmitt Oct 19, 2020
An anonymous tip that turned into a 5-year investigation is nearly over for Nebraska wildlife officials. In what’s being called the biggest poaching case in state history, investigators have linked over 100 people from 21 states to the illegal take of big game animals and transporting them across state lines, including prominent citizens and a television personality.
The case is centered around Hidden Hills Outfitters near Broken Bow, Nebraska. According to the Omaha World-Herald, clients paid the outfitter $2,500 to $7,000 for a chance at big game trophies and utilized illegal tactics, like baiting and spotlighting. Rifles were used during archery season—often with suppressors to cover the noise—and animals were shot from the side of the road. Some participants didn’t even have legal hunting permits.
To date, 30 people have pleaded guilty and ordered to pay a collective total of $570,453 in fines and restitution. Together, all have lost their hunting and fishing privileges for 53 years, the World-Herald reports. Others are awaiting sentencing, so these numbers will only increase.
Jacob Hueftle, co-owner and chief operator of Hidden Hills Outfitters, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $214,375 in restitution to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He will not be allowed to hunt, trap, or “engage in any related business” for 15 years after his release as part of the plea agreement.
The investigation was a joint effort by Nebraska Game and Parks officers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Together, they uncovered a minimum of 97 animals that were transported over state lines, including 34 mule deer, 30 whitetail deer, 27 turkeys, and six antelope.
“It’s outstanding that they finally put some teeth in these violations and sentenced someone to something meaningful, rather than a fine,” said Tom Lanz, a lifelong hunter and active member in Nebraska hunting organizations. “We manage wildlife for the benefit of everybody. That wildlife has a value to society. When they steal that, they steal from all of us. It’s just offensive.”
During the investigation, it was discovered that multiple hunters shot migratory nongame birds—including hawks and falcons—for target practice. The Hidden Hills’ plea agreement says “’J.H.’ personally killed at least 100 nongame birds.” Hueftle and Hidden Hills Outfitters were charged with violating the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Act.
One of the key clients of Hidden Hills was TV hunting personality Rod Owen. Owen has been featured in Field & Stream and on the Outdoor Channel, and was a cast member of Drury Outdoors. Investigators discovered that several of Owen’s animals were illegally baited into range and two were killed with a rifle (after supposedly being killed legally by bow). For his participation in the case, he has been ordered to pay $50,000 in fines and restitution. Drury Outdoors has severed ties with Owen.
While sentencing is still ongoing, the fact that investigators were able to link so many to the crimes and punish accordingly may send the message to others who are tempted to poach big game animals in the future. Regardless, Nebraska hunters are advocating for harsher penalties and steeper fines to those convicted of poaching animals within the state.
“The ethical hunters of this state want things like this stopped and stopped for good,” said longtime hunter and hunting advocate Janice Spicha. “If you knowingly participate in illegal hunting activities, then you shouldn’t be able to hunt again. Ever.”
Good riddance !!
Mean As Nails
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7023736
10/21/20 10:30 PM
10/21/20 10:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716
Sandhills Nebraska
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Thanks Ken! Unfortunately those animals came from private property, and no restitution to the landowners.......... the state gets all the $$$$$.
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7023740
10/21/20 10:33 PM
10/21/20 10:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,449 New York border
Cragar
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,449
New York border
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If someone smarter than me can open this and make it readable, have at it!! Link works fine for me.
NRA benefactor member
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7024075
10/22/20 11:52 AM
10/22/20 11:52 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,402 Iowa
~ADC~
The Count
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The Count
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,402
Iowa
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7024087
10/22/20 12:08 PM
10/22/20 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 922 SD
TC1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 922
SD
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I'm sorry Gary I'm not following your angle. Were the animals poached from a high fence private reserve? If not, they are free roaming animals and owned by no one. They may spend time on a property, but at any time it may decide to leave and anyone with permission on private or in the right place on public may harvest it with appropriate tags and while in season.
Long live the MAGA King
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7024113
10/22/20 12:52 PM
10/22/20 12:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
OP
trapper
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716
Sandhills Nebraska
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No high fences around here. There is a wetlands in the area but not ideal deer habitat. Owned by no one? The state claims ownership of all wildlife even if on private land..The state stocked elk around here on private land. They go wherever they want and do tens of thousands worth of crop damage, yet the farmer isn't allowed to protect his crops and the state says "oh well, deal with it." The farmer gets an occasional landowner permit. And has to pay for it, of course. Just a sore spot for me. The State owns all the wildlife yet the private landowner feeds them and provides the shelter.
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7024116
10/22/20 12:57 PM
10/22/20 12:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 9,012 Indiana
Providence Farm
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 9,012
Indiana
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No high fences around here. There is a wetlands in the area but not ideal deer habitat. Owned by no one? The state claims ownership of all wildlife even if on private land..The state stocked elk around here on private land. They go wherever they want and do tens of thousands worth of crop damage, yet the farmer isn't allowed to protect his crops and the state says "oh well, deal with it." The farmer gets an occasional landowner permit. And has to pay for it, of course. Just a sore spot for me. The State owns all the wildlife yet the private landowner feeds them and provides the shelter. The it's the kings game for sure. Don't forget that when they run in the road and scrap your truck the state no longer claims ownership. But if my cow gets out and into the road I am 100% liable.
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Gary Benson]
#7024199
10/22/20 02:30 PM
10/22/20 02:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,098 NC
Tailhunter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,098
NC
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This is a contentious thing for me too. I understand where you are coming from. [quote=Gary Benson]No high fences around here. There is a wetlands in the area but not ideal deer habitat. Owned by no one? The state claims ownership of all wildlife even if on private land..The state stocked elk around here on private land. They go wherever they want and do tens of thousands worth of crop damage, yet the farmer isn't allowed to protect his crops and the state says "oh well, deal with it." The farmer gets an occasional landowner permit. And has to pay for it, of course. Just a sore spot for me. The State owns all the wildlife yet the private landowner feeds them and provides the shelter.
Last edited by Tailhunter; 10/22/20 02:32 PM.
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Ole]
#7024212
10/22/20 02:45 PM
10/22/20 02:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,217 Armpit, ak
Dirt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,217
Armpit, ak
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Motivation? Testosterone laden bragging rights. and fame. Genau
Who is John Galt?
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7024215
10/22/20 02:48 PM
10/22/20 02:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716
Sandhills Nebraska
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No high fences around here. There is a wetlands in the area but not ideal deer habitat. Owned by no one? The state claims ownership of all wildlife even if on private land..The state stocked elk around here on private land. They go wherever they want and do tens of thousands worth of crop damage, yet the farmer isn't allowed to protect his crops and the state says "oh well, deal with it." The farmer gets an occasional landowner permit. And has to pay for it, of course. Just a sore spot for me. The State owns all the wildlife yet the private landowner feeds them and provides the shelter. The it's the kings game for sure. Don't forget that when they run in the road and scrap your truck the state no longer claims ownership. But if my cow gets out and into the road I am 100% liable. Absolutely!
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Nebraska outfitter BUSTED big time
[Re: BernieB.]
#7024220
10/22/20 02:50 PM
10/22/20 02:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,716
Sandhills Nebraska
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They mention a story featured in Field & Stream, which I wrote, which included Rod Owen. I had no idea. I did several magazine and online articles on him because he was killing so many B&C bucks, including two in one year, one of which was with that outfitter. Pretty sickening. The same thing happened to me with another guy in Illinois a few years ago. Some of these people can sure lie with a straight face. There's not that much money in this; I don't really understand what the motivation is for the hunters who will hire a crooked outfitter and do things illegal with them. Apparently it's all about that picture! On the cover of the Rolling Stones!!!
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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