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Honorable Chairman Young, Committee members, 



Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the October 13, 1995 dove hunt 

 I am a fifty-five year old Florida Cracker and have hunted migratory game every hunting 

 season since I was six years old. I consider myself a law abiding citizen, an outdoorsman 

 and a conservationist 



Mr. Chairman, in response to your request, I submit the following: 



1. The citing officer was courteous and professional. 



2. It appeared to be a set-up. Statement was made to me by the agent that the 

 field had been flown three days before and it appeared to be baited. He had 

 not observed any bait, nor could he tell me where it was. 



3. Why were we asked where we worked and what our title was? Would it 

 have made any difference who I was? 



4. I never saw any bait This rule is vague at best 



5. If the Departinent of Interior is charged with protecting migratory birds, 

 they did not fulfill their obligation. 



6. The letter accompanying the citation (See attachment) was intimidating and 

 coercive. It left no logical choice but to pay. 



Changes for your consideration : 



1. Allow fields to be baited. 



2. In my opinion, it is far more important to monitor the number of birds killed 

 than whether there is bait on the field. Along with this, vigorously enforce 

 bag limits and increase fine for violations. 



3. Stop the documenting of fields. 



4. Allow the States the opportunity to enforce migratory game violations and 

 remove law enforcement from the Department of Interior. A terrible waste of 

 tax payers dollars and a monumental duplication of equipment and effort 



5. Would like to see sports planting rules rather than normal agriculture process 

 rules. 



6. Save intimidation and coercion for real criminals. We are not criminals. 



I am neither an attorney or a biologist, but as a conservationist and sportsman, I would 

 like to provide input or help any way that I may. You have a tough job and there are a lot of 

 issues as you have heard or will shortiy. Thank you very much for your time and interest 



John W. Pelham 

 Attachment 



25-640 - 96 - 5 



