Illegal dove hunting - Duette, FL

Sunday, Oct 4, 2009

County: Hardee

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Harris David Spicer

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces today that United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli found Harris David Spicer (70, Duette, Florida) guilty of unlawfully placing bait for the purpose of shooting migratory birds. Spicer faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 28, 2012.

Spicer was indicted on October 13, 2011 for a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

According to evidence presented at trial, sometime in September or early October 2009, Spicer placed sorghum (otherwise known as milo) seeds around the area of a horse track on his property in Duette. Sorghum/milo seeds are traditionally used as a lure or attractant for certain types of birds. On October 4, 2009, the first day of the official dove season, Spicer hosted approximately two dozen hunters for a dove shoot around the horse track. The trial evidence further revealed that Spicer had previously baited his property, in October 2003, for the purpose of a dove shoot. At that time, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officers advised him and his guests about the prohibitions against hunting dove over a baited field.

This case was investigated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman.

Spicer was previously convicted in Manatee County in 1993 for violating a Florida state law prohibiting the hunting of migratory birds over a baited field. Evidence at trial also revealed that 10 years after that conviction, Spicer again unlawfully baited his property in October 2003 in preparation for his annual dove shoot.

Case Updates

A Duette man was sentenced to two years of probation Thursday for baiting doves on his property. Last month, David Spicer, 69, was convicted of violating the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. According to evidence presented in court, in the fall of 2009, Spicer placed sorghum, otherwise known as milo, seeds around the area of the horse track on his property in Duette. Sorghum seeds are traditionally used as a lure or attractant for certain types of birds. On October 4, 2009 -- the first day of the official dove season -- Spicer hosted approximately two dozen hunters for a dove shoot around the horse track. United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli also ordered Harris Spicer to pay a fine of $7,500.00. Spicer was previously convicted in Manatee County in 1993 for violating a Florida state law prohibiting the hunting of migratory birds over a baited field. Evidence at trial also revealed that 10 years after that conviction, Spicer again unlawfully baited his property in October 2003 in preparation for his annual dove shoot. This case was investigated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Source: Herald Tribune - June 29, 2012 Update posted on Jul 1, 2012 - 5:56PM

References

• US Dept of Justice - May 8, 2012

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