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While at the specified location in the alleged baited field, 

 I was told that if the State's District Attorney wished to press 

 charges I would be sent a citation with information about payment 

 or court appearances. The officers then collected my birds and 

 entertained any questions I had. To say the least, I was stunned 

 and could only think of one question. "Could you show me the 

 bait in the field please?" He chose not to, but said, if I just 

 walked around a little bit, I could see plenty of it. I could 

 not. I left the area feeling confused and victimized by an 

 agency I have a great deal of respect for. Was I guilty by 

 association? It seemed as though I was. It did not make sense 

 that I could be held accountable for another person or persons 

 alleged unethical behavior; furthermore, I concluded that 

 whatever the district attorney decided I would stand up for what 

 I felt was right and just. 



In the months to follow, I defended myself in federal court, 

 and I was found not guilty by U.S. Magistrate Richard Belz on the 

 charges of hunting on or over a baited dove field. He ruled "Mr. 

 demons coula not reasonably see the small grains on the other 

 field," and his responsibility was not clearly defined in the law 

 as to how large of an area he was to inspect prior to or during 

 the hunt. He went on to say, Mr. demons testified to hunting at 

 previous invitational hunts where fields were clearly planted 

 with crops bearing seeds meant to attract birds, yet he was not 

 cited by wildlife officers present for hunting on or over a 

 baited field. The lack of clarity and consistency in the law is 

 why my case was acquitted on all charges. 



For these reasons, I am here today. My purpose is to bring 

 clarity and consistency to a law that is ambiguous. The hunters 

 across this Nation deserve to know clearly what is expected of 

 them, and how to safely stay within the freedom, of a law. For 

 laws are created to free mankind not to bind them. 



Thank you Mr. Chairman and committee members for your time 

 today and your ability to change this law. 



