Thursday, April 28, 2016

White-tail deer importing ring busted

Chasing tail is not always a good thing.  U.S. Attorney Greg Davis issued the following press release:

Three Indicted for Importing White-Tailed Deer into Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Miss. – United States Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker unsealed a federal indictment yesterday charging Coleman Virgil Slade, 70, of Purvis, Mississippi, Don Durrett, 72, of Aspermont, Texas, and Dewayne Slade, 44, of Purvis, Mississippi, with various violations of the Lacey Act for importing live white-tailed deer into Mississippi, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis, Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Special Agent in Charge Dax Roberson with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.

Don Durrett and Dewayne Slade appeared for arraignment today and pled not guilty to the 7- count federal indictment. Coleman Virgil Slade will be arraigned at a later date.

According to the indictment, from January of 2009 through December of 2012, the Slades and Durrett did knowingly and willfully conspire to purchase and transport in interstate commerce live white-tailed deer from Texas to Mississippi in violation of both state and federal laws. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each individual count.

“The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing the Lacey Act and other federal laws to protect our wildlife resources,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis. “We will continue to work closely with USDA OIG, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to enforce the Lacey Act.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago stated “We take our mission working with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the citizens of Mississippi in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously. We will continue working vigorously investigating those who choose to violate state and federal laws.”

“I want to thank the US Attorney’s office, OIG special agents, and our law enforcement partners for their hard work on this investigation,” said USDA OIG Special Agent in Charge Dax Roberson, “USDA OIG is committed to pursuing individuals who commit criminal violations of the Lacey Act, which is intended to protect the health and well-being of America’s wildlife.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The case is currently scheduled for trial on June 20, 2016 in Hattiesburg.
The public is reminded that an indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven

26 comments:

Thirty Aught Six said...

Will change plea to guilty prior to June 20. There is a boatload of photos.

Anonymous said...

Why is this illegal? Importing a deer?

Bambi said...

How much taxpayer money was spent on this deer drama? Certainly there are bigger fish to fry

Anonymous said...

These laws are an attempt to slow/stop the spread of diseases and parasites.

Anonymous said...

Importing wildlife from other states, ie: Whitetail Deer, fosters diseases that are not found in Mississippi. Just goes to show what some people will do to get that big rack.

There are operations that will sell you semen from pen raised whitetail bucks with large, typical racks. Its big business.

Juan Some said...

4:54 - For the same reason we stop illegals who may be carrying diseases from crossing our borders. Wait.......

Anonymous said...

The people saying "How much tax money goes to deer business?" are probably the same people calling MDWFP with complaints every weekend.

Anonymous said...

Big market for store bought deer. Look at the real estate guys moves to bring in more High Fence canned shoots. Quote:

"From the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division: White tailed deer

Outdoor Life’s June/July issue names Mississippi as one of its Top 10 states to hunt whitetail trophy. After tallying the scores, Mississippi emerged as number seven with an abundance of game to hunt, relatively low cost for guided hunts and hunter-friendly laws and regulations.

“Outdoor Life has shined the light on Mississippi as one of the Top 10 places in the U.S. that outdoor travelers should add to their wish list,” said Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Director Malcolm White, “The state’s tourism product has seen incredible growth over the last several years and the sportsmen who visit have an abundance of opportunities.”

Now even that hippie knows the value of a wet bar deer lodge for rich folks. High Class folk. Shooting deer down at Mule Jail or Madison County or one of the islands with Big Ole Horns. Anywhere on the Big Black. Etc.

Lots of big dollar fat boys who want to sit, but not for too long, in the heated and airconditioned shoot house over a feeder and "hunt" that "trophy" but not spend too much time doing it. Wall hangers. Just like Texas.

Some big deer in TX are priced at 1 million. Many many at 250K.

These little guys smelled that money and they are just chumps in the whole big horn deer killing business.

Look at the QDMA influx, corn feeders, changes in regulations on primitive weapons, high fence rules changed and permits galore, and big dollar hunts worked by MDWFP employees.

Until that CWD hits from Arkansas, it'[s just going to get worse for the middle class and hunter numbers will drop while store bought deer prices skyrocket.

All GubMint approved.

Look at the article and go see your favorite high dollar taxidermist and see where all the Big Horns come from and see Mississippi's future: Fewer hunters, big money bucks and fenced off land with feeders and luxury lodging. Ka Ching.

“Every year there are stories about which state has become the latest trophy whitetail destination, but frankly the equation has been wrong all along,” says Andrew McKean, editor of Outdoor Life. “If you only look at the total number of deer killed, it gives an unfair advantage to states with high numbers of hunters and deer. When you’re considering investing the time and money it can often take to go on a trophy hunt it’s important to consider all the factors to get the most accurate picture, which is what we’ve done.”

The top states were ranked as follows:

Kentucky
Kansas
Indiana
Iowa
Minnesota
Illinois
Mississippi"

"Investing time and money" That's pay big bucks, fly in, and shoot a canned genetically engineered domesticated deer trophy in time to head to the "lodge" for some chef cooked food and high balls. Since it's "an investment." It's not hunting.

Anonymous said...

What might one do with Whitetail buck semen? Those does are tough to catch and hold onto.

Anonymous said...

Deer make people do stupid things.

Anonymous said...

8:09... so does semen.

Anonymous said...

MDWFP is whoring out our resources to generate tourism revenue. They are catering to the out of state crowd on all fronts of our wildlife(deer, ducks, and fishing). The fishing aspect has done a lot of damage to our big crappie reservoirs and it took a lot of pressure from our in state hunters to get some regulations passed due to northerners coming down and catching our game fish and transporting them back up north to sale, a practice that is illegal here. Our public lands are becoming over crowded to the point our in state hunters are getting crowded. The MDWFP's solution was to take some of the best freelance duck hunting in the state and make it into a draw system where you have a "chance" each year to be told what dates you can hunt certain Wildlife management areas and once you get there, you also draw to see what "spot" you get to "Hunt", which is far from hunting. The MDWFP actively advertises our hunting opportunities in media outlets in other states as well.

If you really hunt these days, you understand that the liberal harvest limits and very long season has put a lot of pressure on our deer herds. Yes a few years ago we had a lot of deer, but due to these limits and overharvesting and pressure, the people who aren't in big money clubs, are noticing a decline in our deer numbers. Yes there are certain places and areas that can sustain these liberal limits but not the entire state as a whole. The MDWFP doesn't really cater to the common man anymore. Its all about the money. Places that have thousands of acres with few hunters on good dirt and they pretty much get to manage as they see fit. If you have a smaller tract of land, and some neighbors whose goal is to "get the limit"(in my redneck tone), you see the effects.

On the high fence deer hunting: Its not "hunting", its akin to shooting a cow. Yes its big business and a business I'd rather keep out of Mississippi and for sure would rather keep the diseases associated with breeding and penned deer out.

FYI there is a sitting commissioner on the WDWFP committee that has personal interest in high fence breeding operations, as well as a tractor dealership. He keeps pushing for things in that direction...

This state would benefit greatly if some common people could get on the committee versus the people that only know lavish hunting.

Anonymous said...

And so do big racks.

Anonymous said...

Why import deer? Come to my backyard and haul away all you want.

Anonymous said...

@9:42--

Pressure on deer herds? Provide proof of declining populations in Mississippu, please.

Anonymous said...

@10:52 obviously you don't talk to a wide variety of MS hunters. In spots yes, its better than it has been, others, especially the leased land areas, the numbers are less than they have been since the implementation of the 5 does a year limit. Trust me on this, and others, who aren't paid biologist for the state telling every DMAP club to shoot 10 does per 100 acres. If you're in a variety of woods enough, you know the number of deer and/or deer sightings is down. It is either from harvest or pressure. Mississippi keeps saying the numbers are up but the average hunter says otherwise. Im not the only one.

You know, Ducks unlimited has said that we've had record hatches and have record numbers and provides a great outlook for every duck season every year, weeks prior to the release of the Mack's catalog btw. Tell me we've had a "great" duck season since 99-01 seasons...

Its called commercialization...$$ bills. Its all about killing all we can these days. Hunter hours and harvest numbers mean more money. Please tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.

Anonymous said...

9:51. Please call me at BR-549 to give me your address. I am on the way, locked and loaded. My hunts along the Natchez Trace have been severely hampered by those pesky game wardens.

Anonymous said...

Officials: MS deer season marginal at best

"I think we've had a reduction due to habitat and hunting pressure. Some (hunters) will hunt the same stand day in and day out. Plus, I think there's too much (four wheel) riding, too. I really think wide spread feeding deer with corn and protein is killing deer movement. With the wide spread feeding, deer do not have to hustle to feed.”

Yet the big money high fence crowd gets whatever they want passed. Regular folks are harvesting fewer and fewer deer (seeing makes that easier, so, yes, numbers of deer seen and killed HAVE declined), while the Big Bucks Boys get canned hunts with corn feeder timers to make sure Biff has a good breakfast at the lodge before being "guided" to the "Right" stand to "hunt." And amazingly, out comes a big horned deer ready for the taxidermist and the drive home to the estate. Little Biff doesn't even have to skip private school to get his "trophy" too.

MDWFP and their committee are totally corrupt.

Funny. I looked that committee up and who's on it: Chrissy McDaniel and Michael Watson. Tell me the Big Money Tea Party showmen, like Ted Cruz, aren't fake and adoring of the uber rich.

Yep. They sold out to QDMA, "outfitter" lobbyists, and the Texas High Fence Hero Horn Club.

Y'all sleep in, and the chef will have breakfast waiting before we don the new hunting outfit and head out to the custom box stand. You'll have a great "hunt."

Anonymous said...

"And so do big racks. "

KF just ran one of those special photo features last week, didn't he? :-)

Anonymous said...

If you cannot kill a deer in Mississippi under the current conditions - on public or private land - where the population is so large you need to accept the fact that you are a totally incompetent hunter. Twenty years ago it was a challenge in many areas. That hasn't been the case for some time unless you're just obsessed with getting a big buck like you saw on a magazine cover.

Anonymous said...

deer hunting = boring.

Spot-Lighting The Leadership said...

There's another Commissioner, in the Delta, who owns and publishes magazines and newspapers and parades himself around as some sort of seer-suckered, fancied-man about town hob-nobbing with the gentried crowd when he's not holding fund raisers for Thadeus Cackrun (upcoming event).

MDWFP doesn't just pick these guys out of the blue or from a cage of random numbers.

Anonymous said...

Deer hunting = boring? Duck hunting = freezing. Dove hunting = missing. Turkey hunting = itching. Squirrel hunting = squinting. Man hunting = incoming. Women hunting = shopping. Ha!

Lissen To The Beagle said...

Whatever happened to Al Tuck, Of "My Truck Sister Fame". Due to her lofty gubment job he was awarded the number two spot at MDWFP about fifteen years ago. Reckon he's ridin' that PERS train by now.

Kingfish said...

Nice discussion.

Anonymous said...

It takes some real geniuses to spend all of their time killing the deer with the largest antlers then having to import deer with large antlers.



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