Post by Woody Williams on Apr 21, 2007 19:25:30 GMT -5
Wisconsin State Jounal
SUN., MAR 11, 2007 - 1:11 AM
Outdoors: Display of illegally gotten deer mounts gives cause for pause
JERRY DAVIS For the State Journal sivadjam@mhtc.net
In March 2004, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens and special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began an investigation of Blue River Outfitters, a guide service operating in Iowa and Richland counties.
The investigation, which represents the largest case made against a Wisconsin guide and outfitter, was dubbed Project Brother or simply BRO. Some portions of that case are still ongoing.
To date, 32 deer mounts, 14 antler sets, seven firearms and 10 bows have been seized. Many of the articles are now part of a traveling display - one that helps exhibit the magnitude of Wisconsin's natural resources.
Mounts, antlers and turkey parts seized during the two-year investigation in Iowa and Richland counties will be on display at the Wisconsin Deer and Turkey Expo March 30 to April 1 at the Alliant Center. It will replace, for one year anyway, the regular Department of Natural Resources Wall of Shame.
"This display helps to show the magnitude of this case," said Dave Goldsworthy, a DNR special investigative warden from northern Wisconsin. "All five of Wisconsin's investigative wardens got involved in this case, but it was really our field wardens who did the work. At one time or another, at least 20 Wisconsin field wardens were working on the case."
Goldsworthy also stressed the cooperation of special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"They made it possible to use the Lacey Act, which bans interstate commerce in wildlife," Goldsworthy said. "These U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agents were from Wisconsin and other states and it really shows the cooperation necessary in a case like this, but it all started with citizens letting us know that this was going on in these counties."
The DNR was able to assemble this display at very little cost because every animal displayed had already been mounted by a taxidermist for an individual who killed the deer.
"All we had to do was modify a display board we had in northern Wisconsin, expand the panels and put it in a trailer we already had," Goldsworthy said.
Goldsworthy said viewers have been amazed by the display.
"Just think, all these deer were taken from a small area in Iowa and Richland counties," he said. "Three of the deer were still in velvet when they were killed because they were shot before any season opened in that area."
The DNR has prepared a handout, which includes information on when, where and how each deer was killed, for people to digest.
For example, deer No. 30 in the display is a full body mount of a 10-point buck in velvet. It was shot in August 2003 in Richland County and later tagged with a North Dakota deer tag by an Alabama resident. The animal was shipped to Florida where the mount was prepared and used to attract out-of-state clients to Blue River Outfitters.
"We also have a 10-minute, PowerPoint video people can watch to get a better idea of the case," Goldsworthy said. "There are photographs of the area and some other illegal activities that were used to take the deer."
Goldsworthy hopes those who check out the display will appreciate the genesis of the case.
"This should show people that their complaints to us do result in people being convicted," he said.
SUN., MAR 11, 2007 - 1:11 AM
Outdoors: Display of illegally gotten deer mounts gives cause for pause
JERRY DAVIS For the State Journal sivadjam@mhtc.net
In March 2004, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens and special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began an investigation of Blue River Outfitters, a guide service operating in Iowa and Richland counties.
The investigation, which represents the largest case made against a Wisconsin guide and outfitter, was dubbed Project Brother or simply BRO. Some portions of that case are still ongoing.
To date, 32 deer mounts, 14 antler sets, seven firearms and 10 bows have been seized. Many of the articles are now part of a traveling display - one that helps exhibit the magnitude of Wisconsin's natural resources.
Mounts, antlers and turkey parts seized during the two-year investigation in Iowa and Richland counties will be on display at the Wisconsin Deer and Turkey Expo March 30 to April 1 at the Alliant Center. It will replace, for one year anyway, the regular Department of Natural Resources Wall of Shame.
"This display helps to show the magnitude of this case," said Dave Goldsworthy, a DNR special investigative warden from northern Wisconsin. "All five of Wisconsin's investigative wardens got involved in this case, but it was really our field wardens who did the work. At one time or another, at least 20 Wisconsin field wardens were working on the case."
Goldsworthy also stressed the cooperation of special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"They made it possible to use the Lacey Act, which bans interstate commerce in wildlife," Goldsworthy said. "These U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agents were from Wisconsin and other states and it really shows the cooperation necessary in a case like this, but it all started with citizens letting us know that this was going on in these counties."
The DNR was able to assemble this display at very little cost because every animal displayed had already been mounted by a taxidermist for an individual who killed the deer.
"All we had to do was modify a display board we had in northern Wisconsin, expand the panels and put it in a trailer we already had," Goldsworthy said.
Goldsworthy said viewers have been amazed by the display.
"Just think, all these deer were taken from a small area in Iowa and Richland counties," he said. "Three of the deer were still in velvet when they were killed because they were shot before any season opened in that area."
The DNR has prepared a handout, which includes information on when, where and how each deer was killed, for people to digest.
For example, deer No. 30 in the display is a full body mount of a 10-point buck in velvet. It was shot in August 2003 in Richland County and later tagged with a North Dakota deer tag by an Alabama resident. The animal was shipped to Florida where the mount was prepared and used to attract out-of-state clients to Blue River Outfitters.
"We also have a 10-minute, PowerPoint video people can watch to get a better idea of the case," Goldsworthy said. "There are photographs of the area and some other illegal activities that were used to take the deer."
Goldsworthy hopes those who check out the display will appreciate the genesis of the case.
"This should show people that their complaints to us do result in people being convicted," he said.
