| Video of game violations lands ‘sportsmen’ in hot water |
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| Tuesday, 03 April 2012 16:40 | |||
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HUGO — The discovery of a video taping of numerous acts of violations of Oklahoma game laws recently led to more than $10,000 in fines and penalty assesments. According to ODWC Game Warden Jay Harvey, he was made aware of a video which showed numerous game violations, prompting him to seek a warrant to search for additional videos. As a result of Harvey’s investigation, the following game citations were issued. In parenthesis is the face dollar amount of the citation. Tanner Manous: illegal taking of whitetail deer, ($946); hunting with no orange ($221); hunting with no deer tag ($221). Harvey indicated that Manous’ infractions were caught on video. John Cole Manous: aiding and abetting illegally taking whitetail deer. Subject coached a filmed hunt where relative illegally killed a whitetail deer. John David Steward: (1) Taking whitetail deer during closed season ($946). Subject shot doe deer with rifle during archery only season. Harvey said the act was filmed by Kash Weil. (2) failure to wear orange ($221); (3) hunting without valid license ($221); (4) illegal use of an electrical device to shock fish... Red River, video by Kash Weil ($696); (5) taking game fish by illegal means ($221); (6) fishing without a license ($221). Joe Clay Harris: (1) illegal use of an electrical device to shock fish ($696); (2) Count 2, same as count 1 ($221); (3) fishing without a license ($221). Infractions filmed by Kash Weil. Travis James Cress: (1) Netting during closed season ($296); (2) Count 2, same as Ct. 1 ($296); (3) fishing without a license ($221); (4) take/possess migratory bird (kildeer, captured on video $221); (5) hunting without a license ($221); (6) hunting waterfowl without a duck stamp ($221); (7) taking game fish by illegal means-netting ($221). Russell Kash Weil: (1) aiding and abetting taking whitetail deer, restitution of between $1,000 and $1,500 asked ($946); illegal use of an electrical device to shock fish, count 1 ($696); (3) illegal use of an electrical device to shock fish using “pacemaker” device ($696); (4) taking game fish by illegal means, shocking and bow and arrow ($221); (5) Count 2, same as Ct. 4 ($221); (6) Illegal netting ($221); (7) netting during closed season (hoopnetting in Boggy River $296); (8) Count 2, same as ct. 7 ($296); (9) aiding and abetting illegal taking of migratory bird (kildeer $221); (10) Aiding and abetting taking furbearer (bobcat) during closed season... guiding another hunter and calling in cat which was killed ($221); (11) Ct. 2, same as previous count ($221); (12) illegal manufacturing of electrical device used to shock fish, confiscated were three completed devices and one partially built device ($696); (13) hunting with aid of motor vehicle (shooting at coyote on video $696) Note: an agreement in Weil’s file indicated a pre-court agreement for him to pay $5,200 in fines, $2,548 in court costs and $3,000 in restitution, totaling $10,748. Kenneth Marrs: (Alma, Ark.) (1) illegal use of electrical device to shock fish (filmed by Kash Weil in Red River in Bryan and Choctaw County $696); (2) illegal taking of game fish by shocking (blue cat, $221); (3) fishing without a license. Donald Rodebush: (Greenwood, Ark.) (1) illegal use of electrical device to shock fish (filmed, $696); (2) Illegal taking of game fish (blue cat, $221); (3) fishing without a license. Cary Lee Thomas: (Van Buren, Ark.) (1) Illegal use of electrical device to shock fish (filmed in Red River in Choctaw and Bryan Counties, $696); (2) Illegal taking of game fish (blue cat, $221); (3) fishing without a license. Game Warden Harvey said the total scope of his investigation was not complete and that other citations might be forthcoming. Collectively, the citations comprise what might be the largest, single game bust in Choctaw County history.
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