Eight Kansas hunters were charged in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
A criminal complaint alleged the men violated the federal law protecting migratory birds when they participated in an annual opening weekend dove hunt in Graham County, Kan., on Sept. 1-2, 2013.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act classifies mourning doves as migratory game birds. It classifies owls as migratory non-game birds. Restrictions on hunting mourning doves include a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of twice the daily bag limit.
Charged were:
– Daniel R. Dinkel, 63, Hill City, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
– Kent A. Webber, 52, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
– Evan Webber, 25, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
– George Morgan, 52, Gordonville, Texas, one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
– Kenneth R. Beran, 67, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
– Clark Law, 57, Hill City, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
– Tracy D. Higgins, 54, El Dorado, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
– John Kobler, 62, Topeka, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of six months in prison on each count and a fine up to $15,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.