Nemont
Well-known member
Just read this:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
News Release
Nearly 200 Birds Killed, Then Dumped Near Delaware City: Reward Offered
Someone killed nearly 200 migratory game birds --scaup and bufflehead ducks and Canada geese -- and dumped them along a dirt road at the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal near Delaware City, Del., according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Daniel Collins of Dover. The Service is offering a reward for information about the incident.
"Killing and dumping these birds is a senseless waste of our valuable wildlife resources. We're seeking assistance from the public to find out what happened," said Collins.
An individual contacted the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section on Jan. 31 to report finding the birds, according to Collins.
The Service is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for violating federal hunting regulations. Anyone with information should contact Collins at 302/730-9184 or Delaware Operation Game Theft at 1-800/292-3030. Callers may remain anonymous.
Collins said hunters may have killed the birds. The birds were likely attracted to bait, including whole kernel corn, which a state law enforcement agent found in some of the birds' crops. The birds could have been killed elsewhere -- perhaps in Maryland near the end of the waterfowl season -- and moved to Delaware.
Killing birds out of season, while a violation of state law, is a misdemeanor under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and carries penalties of six months in jail and up to a $15,000 fine. If someone moved illegally taken wildlife across state lines or international borders, the individual also could be charged under the federal Lacey Act, which carries misdemeanor penalties of one year in jail and $100,000.
