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June 27, 2011
Two Texas Brothers Busted in Biggest Trophy Deer Poaching Case in Kansas History - 17
Two Texas brothers were sentenced to a total of 5.75 years in prison and fined $70,000 after pleading guilty in what U.S. Wildlife officials say is the largest trophy deer poaching case in Kansas history (and possibly U.S. history). Marlin Butler and James Butler were sentenced last week after prosecutors argued that the two brothers guided up to 60 clients to illegally kill about 160 deer. The brothers participated in jacklighting deer, shooting deer in the wrong management unit, trespassing and guiding hunters without hunting licenses. While the $70,000 in fines sounds steep, it's by no means the largest fine to be given to a poacher. To see the biggest poaching fines in U.S. history go to: The 50 Biggest Poaching Fines in History. The deer were transported over state lines, which means the Butlers could be rung up on felonies for violating the Lacey Act. The act makes it illegal to knowingly transport or sell in interstate commerce any wildlife taken or possessed in violation of state law or regulation. The Butlers sold deer hunts for between $2,500 and $5,000 and guided their clients to some true trophies. The USFWS confiscated more than 100 mounts from the brothers with bucks ranging from 120 inches to over 200 inches. Wildlife officials are continuing to investigate the case and could charge some of the clients involved. Both brothers are appealing their sentences. "This prosecution sends a message to everyone in Kansas and elsewhere that there will be serious consequences for those who seek to profit by violating state and federal wildlife laws, especially at the expense of those who hunt and guide lawfully," said Ignacia S. Moreno, an assistant attorney general with the Justice Department.
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"This is the largest case in the history of wildlife law enforcement in Kansas," Steve Oberholtzer, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a press statement. "Trophy deer are an important resource for the state of Kansas from both wildlife and economic standpoints.
Comments (17)
Just want to clear the air. I personally know one of the gentlemen that is getting fined $10,000 and losing his hunting privileges for 3 years. This friend of mine is a true sportsman in every sense of the word. As “roritch” assumed, my friend had absolutely no idea that the Butler brothers were a fraud and set him out to hunt on property that the Butlers didn’t have leased. The Butlers had keys to every gate they passed through! Sad, sad, deal… My friend paid for what he thought was a legit hunt with a “proper” outfitter, and has now lost his hunting privileges and $10,000. The Butler Brothers aren’t getting near the punishment they deserve!!!
Why did they keep so many mounts ?
160 deer X average BC 140 X $100 = $2.24 million. Government needs to prosecute the clients to recover tax payer expenses for the investigation, prosecution and incarceration of these two criminals.
I am sure that some if not most of the clients did not know that they were hunting illegally. What a shame it would be to pay $5,000, most likely a once in a lifetime hunt for some, only to find out that the trophy buck was an illegal kill! As for the two brothers, I agree that they got off way too easily. Here in Pa. they just passed some of the toughest poaching laws in the country and I am happy that they intend to enforce them to the max! Kudos to the State and US Wildlife officials who cracked this ring!!
Why waste time and money throwing them in jail. Hang them.
Unacceptable!
The actions are incomprehensible and you can not tell me the people who hired them to guide did not know what was going on. Every client who took a deer illegally should also be charged!
1 Deer 1 Year that is my vote! As for fines confiscate everything they own and sell it out right! They won't need it where they should be spending their days!
Its a shame that people like this call themselves sportsmen. This is just the stuff that feeds anti hunting groups to shut down hunting. The brothers should lose hunting and fishing rights for life and the right to own firearms.
Okay, we all agree on the weakness of the penalty...hell, that weak a penalty will not deter anyone. what i did not read was anything regarding surrender of all weapons and prohibition from hunting & fishing for life.
I really wish they would make the punishment fit the crime !
I mean there are others that have been fined MUCH more
Than this for far less of a crime ! I say 5 years & $ 5,000.00
per deer for both of the brothers ! Let these people know we
mean business about poaching ! Also , how do you apeal
something when you plead guilty ? Honestly !
wow,what will they do with all them mounts?
them two should feel blessed,for they could get a lot more time to think about what they did.
Josey:
Your post screams ingorance;
"There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas."
Just because a person if from Texas does not mean they practice illegal activities...
These guys were obviously breaking the law and got busted. That does not give you the right to label all Texans as poachers! Watch yourself sir. TGBTG!!!
they should be fined more than $70k,,they charged their clients more than that, and they should not be able to make a living on a crime. I believe that the punishment is very very week. This just sends a message out that you can take your chances and if caught may get a slap on the wrist. Pathetic!
I think people like this is doing harm to our sport. They give hunter's a bad name. I think they should be charged a lot more money, and do time in prison also. They should never be able to get their hunting license again.
Now, Kansas needs to seriously look at some other areas where this is a problem. There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas. I hope the investigations continue. This latest case is only the beginning.
Now, Kansas needs to seriously look at some other areas where this is a problem. There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas. I hope the investigations continue. This latest case is only the beginning.
Throw the book at them then throw them in jail and throw away the key! Jerks like them are what give all hunters a bad name and what makes it so hard for ordinary people to be able to find a place to hunt. They should never be able to enjoy the outdoors EVER again!
BUSTED!!
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Throw the book at them then throw them in jail and throw away the key! Jerks like them are what give all hunters a bad name and what makes it so hard for ordinary people to be able to find a place to hunt. They should never be able to enjoy the outdoors EVER again!
they should be fined more than $70k,,they charged their clients more than that, and they should not be able to make a living on a crime. I believe that the punishment is very very week. This just sends a message out that you can take your chances and if caught may get a slap on the wrist. Pathetic!
I think people like this is doing harm to our sport. They give hunter's a bad name. I think they should be charged a lot more money, and do time in prison also. They should never be able to get their hunting license again.
Now, Kansas needs to seriously look at some other areas where this is a problem. There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas. I hope the investigations continue. This latest case is only the beginning.
I really wish they would make the punishment fit the crime !
I mean there are others that have been fined MUCH more
Than this for far less of a crime ! I say 5 years & $ 5,000.00
per deer for both of the brothers ! Let these people know we
mean business about poaching ! Also , how do you apeal
something when you plead guilty ? Honestly !
Its a shame that people like this call themselves sportsmen. This is just the stuff that feeds anti hunting groups to shut down hunting. The brothers should lose hunting and fishing rights for life and the right to own firearms.
BUSTED!!
Now, Kansas needs to seriously look at some other areas where this is a problem. There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas. I hope the investigations continue. This latest case is only the beginning.
wow,what will they do with all them mounts?
them two should feel blessed,for they could get a lot more time to think about what they did.
I am sure that some if not most of the clients did not know that they were hunting illegally. What a shame it would be to pay $5,000, most likely a once in a lifetime hunt for some, only to find out that the trophy buck was an illegal kill! As for the two brothers, I agree that they got off way too easily. Here in Pa. they just passed some of the toughest poaching laws in the country and I am happy that they intend to enforce them to the max! Kudos to the State and US Wildlife officials who cracked this ring!!
160 deer X average BC 140 X $100 = $2.24 million. Government needs to prosecute the clients to recover tax payer expenses for the investigation, prosecution and incarceration of these two criminals.
Okay, we all agree on the weakness of the penalty...hell, that weak a penalty will not deter anyone. what i did not read was anything regarding surrender of all weapons and prohibition from hunting & fishing for life.
Unacceptable!
The actions are incomprehensible and you can not tell me the people who hired them to guide did not know what was going on. Every client who took a deer illegally should also be charged!
1 Deer 1 Year that is my vote! As for fines confiscate everything they own and sell it out right! They won't need it where they should be spending their days!
Why waste time and money throwing them in jail. Hang them.
Why did they keep so many mounts ?
Just want to clear the air. I personally know one of the gentlemen that is getting fined $10,000 and losing his hunting privileges for 3 years. This friend of mine is a true sportsman in every sense of the word. As “roritch” assumed, my friend had absolutely no idea that the Butler brothers were a fraud and set him out to hunt on property that the Butlers didn’t have leased. The Butlers had keys to every gate they passed through! Sad, sad, deal… My friend paid for what he thought was a legit hunt with a “proper” outfitter, and has now lost his hunting privileges and $10,000. The Butler Brothers aren’t getting near the punishment they deserve!!!
Josey:
Your post screams ingorance;
"There's a Texan buying, leasing, subleasing, etc., land around Burr Oak, Kansas."
Just because a person if from Texas does not mean they practice illegal activities...
These guys were obviously breaking the law and got busted. That does not give you the right to label all Texans as poachers! Watch yourself sir. TGBTG!!!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)