Thursday, November 8, 2001

1988 sting has made a lasting impact in South Texas

The 1980s saw rampant violations of federal waterfowl laws along the Texas coast, the likes of which we've not seen since.
   Culture at the time snickered at rules that restricted the number and types of ducks that could be taken legally. Today, hunters and organizations such as Ducks Unlimited embrace their role as conservators of a limited resource, often acting on behalf of agents charged with protecting game.
   Duck limits set in the 1980s involved a point system that generally allowed fewer than the six birds allowed today. Skirting the rules had become a game, spurred by financial stress among outfitters, competition within the profession and in some cases a general attitude of bitter defiance.
   Certain unscrupulous hunters and outfitters had become cocky and flagrant, not only in their breaking of the rules, but in advertising their wholesale indiscretion to potential clients or bragging to anyone who would listen. This blatant disregard prompted a three-year criminal investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that is still mentioned in hushed tones today.
   The sting operation involving more than 100 federal agents targeted mostly commercial operations, some of which are still in business. Going on reputations, tips and intelligence reports, undercover agents booked hunting trips with guides and owners of commercial hunting lodges suspected of killing waterfowl illegally and encouraging clients to do the same.
   Violations occurred on 92 percent of the hunts in which undercover agents were involved. As a result, about 240 Texans and hunters from six other states were either arrested or issued citations in December 1988, based on violations that had occurred along the Texas coast since 1985.
   Poaching charges included felony and misdemeanor violations of the Migratory Bird Act and Lacey Act. More than 1,300 violations were documented, ranging from killing more than the legal limit and driving birds toward hunters with a boat to using lead shot in restricted zones and selling waterfowl.
   In some cases, raptors, herons, ibises and other non-game species were illegally killed or sold to undercover agents.
   About $155,000 in fines were paid by violators who either went to trial or pled guilty. Many guides were given probation and forced to find other work during subsequent seasons.
   Understandably, most of the people involved in this dark incident don't want to talk publicly about their past indiscretions. But privately, some have told me they've learned their lesson.
   Today, federal and state wildlife agents tell me that guides generally are their first line of defense in the field. Many outfitters today regularly implore their clients to obey game laws, often checking licenses and equipment themselves to help assure a pleasant and lawful experience.
   No doubt, the 1988 sting had an impact on local culture. Hopefully, the resulting negative stigma attached to illegal hunting and fishing is here to stay. For evidence of this, look no further than the relatively light list of violations cited in the Coastal Bend during the recent waterfowl opener.
   The list was so short and boring that it doesn't warrant publication. I will say that a handful of tickets were issued to hunters who had misidentified ducks and therefore possessed too many of one kind, used unplugged shotguns or lead shot or failed to show proof of hunter education.
   Very little malice or bad intent was seen, game wardens told me.
   I'm not attempting to minimize the violations that were cited. But it's good to hear that compliance among waterfowlers appears to be the rule of the day.
  
  
  

Talk about fishing in the Coastal Bend