Four hunters were sentenced Wednesday for violating federal laws in hunting birds in Kansas.
According to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, the four violated the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act when they took more than 260 mourning doves during a hunt in Ellis County, Kan.
Each of the four pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves. They were sentenced to two years unsupervised probation, a $1,000 fine and $1,000 in restitution. In addition, they are prohibited from hunting, fishing, trapping or accompanying others during those activities for two years.
Sentenced were:
Harold C. Amrein, 59, Ellis, Kan.
Randy L. Amrein, 38, Fremont, Neb.
Morris H. Russell, 48, Omaha, Neb.
Tyrel S. Simpson, 33, Council Bluffs, Iowa
In their pleas, they admitted the crimes took place Sept. 2, 2014, during a hunt in the opening weekend of dove season. Following the hunt, a warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism found them in possession of more than 260 mourning doves. The daily bag limit for mourning doves is 15.
In a separate case Wednesday, two hunting guides were sentenced for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during hunts in Reno County, Kan., according to Grissom.
Each pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by exceeding the daily bag limit. They were sentenced to one year unsupervised probation and a fine of $1,000. In addition, they were prohibited from hunting, fishing, trapping or accompanying anyone in those activities for one year.
Both men were working for Misty Morning Outfitters of Haven, Kan., at the time they violated federal law.
Sentenced were:
Lane Hensley, 28, Liberal, Kan.
Tanner Cox, 25, Wichita, Kan.
In his plea, Hensley admitted the crime occurred Dec. 15, 2011, when he took two undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents on a hunt in Reno County, Kan. He exceeded the daily bag limit of three Canada geese.
In his plea, Cox admitted the crime occurred Sept. 1 and 2, 2011, on a hunt in Reno County. He exceeded the daily bag limit of 15 mourning doves.
Co-defendant Ryan Warden, owner of Misting Morning Outfitters, was sentenced to five years probation, a fine of $2,500, restitution of $5,000. He was prohibited from hunting, fishing, trapping or accompanying anyone in those activities for five years.