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contest the charges . The four individuals who assaulted our 

 agent were issued mandatory appearances before a Federal 

 Magistrate Judge, after the case agent consulted with the U.S. 

 Attorney's Office in Gainesville, FL. 



Eighty-two of the hunters forfeited collateral in the amount 

 $31,475. Another four hunters pled guilty to a total of five 

 violations and were fined a total amount of $7,375. They also 

 were ordered to undergo supervised probation totaling 5 years, 

 with the provision they not hunt during their probation period. 

 Two hunters were acquitted by a Federal Magistrate Judge of the 

 baiting charges. One hunter's violation notice for hunting 

 without a state hunting license was dismissed after he produced a 

 valid license. 



There have been other results of the Dixie County, FL, dove 

 baiting incident that have been very disturbing to the Service. 

 Derogatory comments were made to the media, distorting a 

 straightforward law enforcement case. The local Sheriff in Dixie 

 County, Florida revoked the authority of a local National 

 Wildlife Refuge to continue using the radio frequency. Service 

 law enforcement personnel use the radio frequency to protect the i 

 lives and safety of law enforcement officers and members of the 

 public. The refuge manager of the Lower Suwanee National 

 Wildlife Refuge has been threatened with physical harm and 

 verbally threatened by the same sheriff. 



Service law enforcement personnel involved in the Dixie Co., FL, 

 dove baiting case have been accused of targeting the Sanchez 

 field because prominent persons were present. This accusation is 

 totally unfounded, and untrue. Service agents absolutely have 

 not, do not, and will not "target" violators based on political, 

 social, racial, gender, or any other considerations. They will 

 pursue any and all individuals violating wildlife laws. 



The overwhelming majority of sportsmen in this country are law- 

 abiding citizens who practice sound ethics, conduct their hunting 

 in a responsible and safe manner, and demand the same from their 

 peers. They also expect the Service's law enforcement personnel 

 to perform wildlife enforcement duties in an impartial, 

 equitable, and fair manner. We appreciate the cooperation and 

 support of these sportspersons, and we strive to meet or exceed 

 their expectations. 



The manner in which most wildlife violations, including baiting, 

 are handled by Service agents is very similar to the way local 

 police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers handle 

 traffic enforcement. 



Citations carrying nominal fines are routinely issued for both 

 traffic and wildlife violations, and persons are not arrested 

 unless there are clearly aggravating circumstances, such as an 



