You think that legalized use of wolf chasing dogs, metal wolf leg traps and caged animals for hound 'training' - - and even a case of whooping crane killing - - set a bar for wildlife disrespect in Wisconsin that could be lowered no further, but then this release from Federal authorities drops into your email box and you realize that bar had already been dropped.
Not for the faint of heart or weak stomach, but props to the investigators and prosecutors.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2014
Contact:
Tina_Shaw@fws.gov; 612-713-5331
Wisconsin Game Farm Owner Sentenced for Commercializing Migratory Birds
A Wisconsin game farm owner is now a felon due to his illegal commercialization of snow geese. United States Attorney James L. Santelle, announced that on October 20, 2014, Todd David Doughty, age 50, owner of the “Thunderbird Game Farm” in Chilton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, and had his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges revoked for five years by Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Doughty illegally engaged in the sale of sausage containing snow goose, a migratory bird. While sentencing the defendant, Chief Judge Griesbach noted a litany of past wildlife offenses which, “spoke to the defendant’s character” and his “disregard for wildlife laws” which necessitated the lengthy revocation of hunting privileges. As a convicted felon, Doughty will never again legally possess a firearm for any purpose.
As with many wildlife offenders like Doughty, there is a backstory and there are years of illegal behavior factored into a given court proceeding. In this case, Doughty implicated himself by inadvertently tipping off investigators through side activities related to his game farm operation and lodge in Wisconsin. The larger U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation started because of some concerned members of the public and the follow up of game wardens in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas.
“This case is an example of a best case scenario, where engaged citizens and conservation agencies from multiple states work together with our partners in federal wildlife conservation law enforcement,” noted Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Chief Warden Todd Schaller.
In 2007, local game wardens from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources followed up on a couple strange reports of dead owls found along the road in a garbage bag. Wardens reached out to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent and turned over 13 dead long-eared owls that appeared to have been shot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory, based in Ashland, Oregon, analyzed the owls and determined the cause of death to be birdshot, the type of ammunition commonly used in pheasant hunting. The agent on the case noticed that Thunderbird Game Farm was just down the road from the places where the dead owls were first found. After combining that evidence with information received from other states, the Service began an undercover operation to learn more about Doughty and his game farm operation. The agent, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Conservation Wardens, uncovered an illegal operation built around commercializing snow geese, white-tailed deer and other waterfowl as processed sausage at Doughty's lodge.
“Congress directed us to stop systematic decimation of bird populations back in the early ¬1900s, because they saw the consequences of this kind of greed on a nationwide scale. While we are disheartened that people like Doughty are continuing this behavior, we are pleased to have stopped him,” said Pat Lund, Resident Agent in Charge for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.
As for the original illegal activity that first alerted the public and state game wardens, the undercover elements of this investigation went on to document Doughty’s statements that showed that he routinely shot owls, hawks and other predators that he found at his captive pheasant hunting lodge. His predator control measures were extensive and illegal.
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwmidwest, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmidwest.-----------
October 23, 2014
Contact:
Tina_Shaw@fws.gov; 612-713-5331
Wisconsin Game Farm Owner Sentenced for Commercializing Migratory Birds
A Wisconsin game farm owner is now a felon due to his illegal commercialization of snow geese. United States Attorney James L. Santelle, announced that on October 20, 2014, Todd David Doughty, age 50, owner of the “Thunderbird Game Farm” in Chilton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, and had his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges revoked for five years by Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Doughty illegally engaged in the sale of sausage containing snow goose, a migratory bird. While sentencing the defendant, Chief Judge Griesbach noted a litany of past wildlife offenses which, “spoke to the defendant’s character” and his “disregard for wildlife laws” which necessitated the lengthy revocation of hunting privileges. As a convicted felon, Doughty will never again legally possess a firearm for any purpose.
As with many wildlife offenders like Doughty, there is a backstory and there are years of illegal behavior factored into a given court proceeding. In this case, Doughty implicated himself by inadvertently tipping off investigators through side activities related to his game farm operation and lodge in Wisconsin. The larger U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation started because of some concerned members of the public and the follow up of game wardens in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas.
“This case is an example of a best case scenario, where engaged citizens and conservation agencies from multiple states work together with our partners in federal wildlife conservation law enforcement,” noted Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Chief Warden Todd Schaller.
In 2007, local game wardens from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources followed up on a couple strange reports of dead owls found along the road in a garbage bag. Wardens reached out to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent and turned over 13 dead long-eared owls that appeared to have been shot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory, based in Ashland, Oregon, analyzed the owls and determined the cause of death to be birdshot, the type of ammunition commonly used in pheasant hunting. The agent on the case noticed that Thunderbird Game Farm was just down the road from the places where the dead owls were first found. After combining that evidence with information received from other states, the Service began an undercover operation to learn more about Doughty and his game farm operation. The agent, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Conservation Wardens, uncovered an illegal operation built around commercializing snow geese, white-tailed deer and other waterfowl as processed sausage at Doughty's lodge.
“Congress directed us to stop systematic decimation of bird populations back in the early ¬1900s, because they saw the consequences of this kind of greed on a nationwide scale. While we are disheartened that people like Doughty are continuing this behavior, we are pleased to have stopped him,” said Pat Lund, Resident Agent in Charge for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.
As for the original illegal activity that first alerted the public and state game wardens, the undercover elements of this investigation went on to document Doughty’s statements that showed that he routinely shot owls, hawks and other predators that he found at his captive pheasant hunting lodge. His predator control measures were extensive and illegal.
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwmidwest, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmidwest.-----------
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ReplyDeleteAt least his evil activities are exposed and hopefully halted. Will this prevent other sociopaths from doing likewise? The FBI now classifies animal cruelty as a federal offense. How "ironic" that our own WI DNR laws have been degraded by Walker & his appointed staff. It's what Re/Teapublicans do. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/01/fbi-animal-cruelty-felony_n_5913364.html