WICHITA, KAN. - A Kansas hunting guide was indicted Tuesday on charges of violating the Lacy Act and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. Two of the guide’s employees and a hunter from Georgia also were charged.
The 21-count indictment alleges violations including exceeding daily bag limits, killing waterfowl over bait, killing hawks, using electronic bird calls and possessing untagged birds.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it a federal crime to kill migratory birds except with a permit and in compliance with state hunting regulations. The Lacy Act makes it unlawful to sell or transport wildlife taken in violation of state hunting regulations.
Named in the indictment are:
Josh Hedges, 34, Grenola, Kan., owner of Eagle Head Outfitters, one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacy Act and 12 counts of unlawful sale and transport of wildlife.
Jerad Stroot, 25, Colwich, Kan., employee of Eagle Head Outfitters, six counts of unlawful sale or transport of wildlife.
Allen Stroot, 32, Park City, Kan., employ of Eagle Head Outfitters, one count of violating the Migratory Bird Act.
Steve Seagraves, 61, Douglasville, Ga., a customer of Eagle Head Outfitters, one count of violating the Migratory Bird Act.
Upon conviction, counts 1 through 8, 12 through 16, 18 and 19 carry a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 (see attached indictment). The other counts carry a penalty of up to six months and a fine up to $5,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism investigated.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
