First Posted: 3/13/2015
The Ohio Division of Wildlife was part of four wildlife agencies that helped in citing a father and son who were part of the high-dollar illegal trade of whitetail deer.
Donald W. Wainwright Sr., of Live Oak, Florida, who operated Valley View Whitetails of Ohio and a deer-breeding facility called Cherokee Whitetails in West Liberty, pleaded guilty to a dozen charges related to violating the Lacey Act, along with one count each of conspiracy and wire fraud. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were the other agencies involved.
All parties involved in the investigation have proposed a sentence of 21 months in prison and a fine of $125,000.
Wainwright’s son, Donald Jr., was charged with seven counts of violating the Lacey Act, along with one charge each of conspiracy and wire fraud.
The Lacey Act dates back to 1900 and was the first federal law that protected wildlife. Under the Lacey Act, it is unlawful to import, export, sell or purchase wildlife or transported or sold in violation of U.S. law or in interstate or foreign commerce involving any fish, wildlife or plants possessed or sold in violation of state law.
Both Wainwrights had been investigated for years. According to the FWS, the senior Wainwright had illegally shipped deer to Florida from Ohio and attempted to ship deer to Georgia from Ohio. Deer herds involved with these shipments were not certified to be free from chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and brucellosis.
In the Ohio case, his employees were stopped on Interstate 71 while attempting a shipment to Georgia. DOW officers noticed deer noses and antlers inside a cargo trailer. All importation of whitetail deer is banned in Georgia due to disease concern.
In addition to these violations, Wainwright Sr. also sold illegal white-tailed deer hunts at Valley View Whitetails of Ohio. According to a FWS press release, he induced clients from around the country to hunt at Valley View Whitetails of Ohio, charging customers from $1,000 to $50,000 to kill deer inside his high-fence preserve when Wainwright, Sr. did not have a hunting preserve license. The customers then took the bucks back to their home states, including Florida, Michigan, Alabama and Virginia.
“Trafficking like this is detrimental to the health of native wildlife here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Deputy Assistant Director of Law Enforcement for the FWS Edward Grace. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case and thank our law enforcement partners for a solid investigation.”
“One of the many dangers of illegal wildlife trafficking is its potential to spread disease,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Carter Stewart said. “My office is committed to combating this serious threat.”
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A Limaland native is returning to this area to serve as Hancock County wildlife officer after serving in the same capacity in Lucas County since 2012.
Eric VonAlmen, a graduate of Columbus Grove High School and Hocking College, has been assigned as the new state wildlife officer in Hancock County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, VonAlmen will have statewide jurisdiction to enforce wildlife regulations, investigate allegations of waterway pollution, protect state property, and make arrests. He will also conduct educational programs, perform fish and wildlife management duties, and advise landowners on dealing with wildlife.
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Now that the ice fishing is coming to an end (for some it may already ended), it’s time to think of storing away your gear for next year.
There are some key things you should do so your equipment is ready to go for next year.
The following checklist is courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
• If you have an auger, check it for any damage, and then dry all of the blades before storing it. You may want to consult your power auger’s manual to know how to appropriately handle any leftover gas and how to protect the engine.
• Remove the batteries from any of your electronics to prevent any potential damage from leaking batteries.
• Make sure your portable shelter is completely clean and dry before storing. You may want to put some moth balls in it or hang it to keep certain pests at bay.
• Take a full inventory of your rods, reels and tackle to see what you might need to purchase next year. Also remove all bait or line from your hooks and lures for storage and make sure everything is dry.
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Indiana Dunes, the popular Indiana state park on Lake Michigan in East Chesterton, Indiana, could earn a spot among USA Today’s top 10 state parks in the United States.
The park is among 20 state parks nationwide that were nominated by a panel of travel experts. Readers will select the best 10 from among that list, with voting being conducted until March 30.
In a similar type vote, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, located between Port Clinton and Oak Harbor, was voted the top birding spot in the country by USA Today readers.
The public can vote at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-state-park.
The U.S. has more than 6,000 state parks, representing millions of acres and hundreds of millions of visitors. Indiana Dunes State Park was nominated for its 3 miles of Lake Michigan beach, 200-foot-tall sand dunes and four seasons of fun.
“The park really is a mecca for a wide variety of visitor use,” said Brad Bumgardner, park interpretive naturalist. “From runners to beach goers, birders to wildflower enthusiasts, or simply those seeking a quiet natural experience, there is a little of something for every visitor to this park.”
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Quoteable: “Water is the driving force of all nature.” — Leonardo da Vinci
