31 



are, you are going to have this particular type of phenomenon oc- 

 curring in terms of the responsibility. A lot of people talk about 

 personal responsibility, but the personal responsibility issue here 

 comes back. They always seem to counterposition that. And some- 

 how, it is the policeman's fault that I did something wrong, or it 

 is the game officer or somebody. And I guess I get a little concerned 

 about that, because they are there trying to do a job; they deserve 

 our support. Maybe some of the laws that we have them putting 

 in place are tough to enforce, but the issue is what have we done 

 in terms of trying to prevent the problem ourselves? You know, it 

 seems to me that you have all tried to do some things. But have 

 you done everything? 



And in the final analysis, if you go on someone's property — it is 

 hard enough to get on property to hunt these days. Obviously, the 

 Sanchez field, whoever the owner was has a responsibility. And if 

 I were any of you and I were in the position, and this had received 

 the attention it did, I think you would have a cause for legal action 

 if someone actually portrayed or put you in a position where you 

 actually ended up in violation because of representations they 

 made, because I am certain they must have some information that 

 documents that. I do not think they would have rushed in there 

 like that in absence of it. That is ridiculous to assume that. That 

 would have been opened up here. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That would have become apparent. 



The Chairman. The gentleman from Kentucky? 



Mr. Duncan. Tennessee. 



The Chairman. Tennessee; excuse me. They are very close to one 

 another. 



Mr. Duncan. That is a common mistake, Mr. Chairman. Mr. 

 Chairman, first, let me say how much I admire the courage of this 

 young Mr. demons going into Federal court as a college student 

 representing himself. There are not many people who could do that. 



Secondly, let me say that I think probably the best summary of 

 this is contained in a letter to you from Sheriff Oelrich this past 

 December, and he says toward the end of that letter: "I believe this 

 whole episode was both unnecessary and heavy-handed. The agents 

 stated they had observed this field for several days, determining 

 that it was unlawful. Instead of making a telephone call or sending 

 one agent to notify participants, a dozen agents lay in wait for un- 

 knowing citizens to arrive into their web. The field had been photo- 

 graphed and surveillance performed with Federal aircraft. I do not 

 feel the birds were baited that day; I believe law-abiding citizens 

 were baited, trapped, tried and fined and then extorted into plead- 

 ing and paying for a violation of law that does not require intent 

 or even knowledge to violate." • 



And I think it is a sad day when we have gotten to this point 

 in this country. I think that too many of the Federal regulators are 

 out to get people now instead of being out to help people, and, in 

 fact, I doubt in the early years of the Fish and Wildlife Service they 

 ever would have had an operation like this. They would have been 

 more interested in trying to help people or encourage people and 

 assist people in obeying the law instead of trying to get people with 

 this policeman mentality. 



