https://www.newschannelnebrask...iolation-in-nebraska



Georgia hunter sentenced in federal court for Lacey Act violation in Nebraska

A Georgia man who had been hunting in Nebraska was sentenced to seven years of probation for violating the Lacey Act, which combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants.

Friday, July 15th 2022, 8:33 PM CDT
Updated: Friday, July 15th 2022, 8:35 PM CDT
By News Channel Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A Georgia man who had been hunting in Nebraska was sentenced to seven years of probation for violating the Lacey Act, which combats illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants.

40-year-old Daniel Morris was sentenced Friday in federal court in Lincoln. He was also ordered to pay of $5,000 fine, in addition to $2,000 of restitution.

A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division, determined that in October of 2020, Morris traveled to Noble Outdoors, a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located in North Platte, to conduct an archery mule deer hunt. During the hunt, Morris unlawfully shot a mule deer and subsequently transported trophy parts of the deer out of the state for taxidermy services in Georgia.

Morris admitted to traveling to Noble Outdoors with two other hunting partners to hunt mule deer during the archery season. During the hunt, Morris unlawfully shot a mule deer buck from the roadway with a Ruger All-American 6.5 Creedmoor rifle allegedly provided and directed by Noble Outdoors guide and owner Dustin Noble. Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road and use of a firearm to take deer during the archery hunting season are both prohibited. Morris later unlawfully dumped and discarded the deer carcass into a public waterway near North Platte, according to court records.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Morris surrendered and abandoned the antlers and other parts of the mule deer taken in 2020 and an undisclosed additional number of taxidermy mounts originating from mule deer taken during previous hunts at Noble Outdoors in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Friday's conviction marks the first federal sentencing involving the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations allegedly committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients. To date, four additional defendants have pleaded guilty in Nebraska state court and have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $12,500 in fines and liquidated damages for violations related to shooting deer from the road; dumping carcasses in waters of the state; hunting without permission; and improperly checking or registering pronghorn.

https://northplattebulletin.co...utdoor-prosecutions/
Second hunter sentenced in Noble Outdoor scandal
by: The North Platte Bulletin - Sep. 2, 2022

Another Georgia hunter was sentenced Friday in federal court for illegally transporting deer that were illegally taken near North Platte.

Kyle G. Daniel, 36, of Ball Ground, Ga. was sentenced Friday in federal court in Lincoln to two years of probation for violating of the Lacey Act — unlawfully transporting wildlife in interstate commerce.


Daniel was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and restitution in the amount of $4,000, U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said.

In the fall of 2020, Daniel traveled to Noble Outdoors, headquartered in North Platte, with two other hunting partners to hunt mule deer during archery season. Daniel shot a mule deer buck from the rear passenger seat area of a Noble Outdoors vehicle, parked on a public road, U.S. Attorney Steven Russell said.

Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road and hunting on property without landowner permission are prohibited.

Daniel also surrendered and abandoned six sets of antlers or taxidermy mounts from mule deer taken during hunts at Noble Outdoors in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

The conviction is the second federal sentencing in the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients. Four more defendants have pleaded guilty in Nebraska state court, Russell said.

In all, six defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay $28,500 in fines and restitution for violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road; taking deer without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, dumping carcasses in waters of the state; hunting without permission; and improperly checking or registering big game.

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.

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Where is the case against "Noble"?

quote:

Originally posted by TCLouis:
Where is the case against "Noble"?

+1

They did everything wrong.
Even to the point of using a 6.5 Creedmoor.

https://www.klkntv.com/georgia...le-deer-in-nebraska/


Georgia hunter sentenced for illegally killing mule deer in Nebraska

November 4, 2022 6:06 pm Jordan Himes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Georgia hunter was sentenced in federal court on Friday for illegally shooting a mule deer in Lincoln County in 2020.

Chad McCullough, 34, of Georgia violated the Lacey Act when he took parts of the deer to Georgia to be taxidermized.

The Lacey Act bans the trafficking of wildlife or plants that were illegally taken, possessed or sold.

Officials determined that in October 2020, McCullough traveled to Nobel Outdoors, a commercial big game business in North Platte, with two other hunting partners.

The group was going to go on an archery mule deer hunt.

During the hunt, McCullough shot the deer with a rifle while in the passenger seat of a vehicle that was parked on the side of a public road.

The rifle was provided by the company’s owner, who told McCullough to kill the deer despite knowing that only archery equipment was authorized.

Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road, taking deer with a firearm during archery season and hunting on property without landowner permission is prohibited.

As part of his conditions of probation, McCullough will surrender and abandon the taxidermy mounts and other parts originating from a total of two mule deer taken unlawfully during the hunt.

This was the third federal sentencing in the ongoing prosecutions related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates and clients.

Four additional defendants have pleaded guilty in Nebraska courts.

In total, seven defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $37,500 in fines and restitution for violations.

Their charges include the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road, taking deer without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, dumping carcasses in waters of the state, hunting without permission and improperly checking or registering big game.

District Judge John Gerrard sentenced McCullough to two years of probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce.

He was ordered to pay a total of $9,000 in fines and restitution to the court.

The case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

https://www.newschannelnebrask...-hunting-in-nebraska


Colorado man sentenced to probation for Lacey Act violations after hunting in Nebraska

A 50-year-old Colorado man was sentenced on Friday to two years probation for violating the Lacey Act.
Friday, July 28th 2023, 3:08 PM CDT
By News Channel Nebraska

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- A 50-year-old Colorado man was sentenced on Friday to two years probation for violating the Lacey Act.

The Acting U.S. Attorney said that Michael Ban was sentenced in federal court in Lincoln for violations of the Lacey Act.

Ban was sentenced to two years of probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce.

He was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and to pay restitution in the amount of $4,000.

The court said that as part of his probation terms, Ban shall not hunt, fish, trap, provide guiding or outfitting services, or assist or be present with anyone engaged in those activities for one year.

There was a joint investigation done by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that in September of 2019 found that Ban had traveled to Nebraska to do an archery hunt of a mule deer.

The court said that during the hunt, Ban had unlawfully shot a mule deer in Lincoln County. Following the hunt, he had taken a taxidermied shoulder mount including parts of the unlawfully taken trophy deer back to his home in Colorado.

In a plea agreement that was accepted by the Court and admitted by Ban, the investigation showed that in the fall of 2019, Ban had traveled to Noble Outdoors in North Platte, to hunt a mule deer during the archery season.

While hunting, Ban unlawfully shot a mule deer buck with 5x5 antlers in velvet without a valid deer permit. It was also during closed season hours around 11:12 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2019.

Court documents said that while guided and accompanied by the owner of Noble Outdoors, Ban bought a Nebraska Non-resident Archery Deer Permit the next day to conceal that he had taken the deer without a permit.

According to officials, under Nebraska state law, hunters are required to possess a valid permit and habitat stamp before hunting or taking mule deer. Hunters are also only authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise or 30 minutes after sunset.

https://ruralradio.com/krvn/ne...2019-mule-deer-hunt/


Nebraska Hunter and Noble Outdoors Associate Sentenced for Lacey Act Violation Stemming from 2019 Mule Deer Hunt

Courtesy/en.wikipedia.org
September 29th, 2023 | U.S. Attorney's Office


Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jennifer M. Payne, 45, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for a violation of the Lacey Act. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Payne to 2 years’ probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce. Payne was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000, restitution in the amount of $5,000, and to complete 100 hours of community service. As part of her probation terms, Payne shall not hunt, fish, trap, provide guiding or outfitting services, or assist or be present with anyone engaged in those activities during the term of probation.

A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that in September of 2019, Payne conducted a guided mule deer hunt during the archery season. During the hunt, Payne unlawfully shot a mule deer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, and subsequently caused parts of the unlawfully taken trophy deer to be shipped to a commercial tannery located in Michigan.

Payne admitted that in the fall of 2019, she participated in a mule deer hunt with Noble Outdoors, a commercial big game guiding business located in North Platte, Nebraska. During the hunt, Payne, while guided by Noble Outdoors owner, and accompanied by another Noble Outdoors client, unlawfully shot a mule deer buck with 5 X 5 antlers in velvet during closed season hours between 10 PM and 12 AM on September 7, 2019, from a seated position within the passenger compartment of a vehicle parked upon a public roadway. The vehicle was being operated by the Noble Outdoors owner. In addition, Payne shot the mule deer with a 6.5 mm Creedmoor rifle outfitted with a suppressor and a thermal scope. Afterwards, Payne and the Noble Outdoors owner posed for night-time photographs with the mule deer and a crossbow in attempt to conceal the fact Payne unlawfully killed the deer with a firearm during the archery season. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, and are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Today’s sentencing is part of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. In total, 18 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay more than $75,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road; taking deer and pronghorn without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season; taking deer during night-time closed season hours; dumping carcasses in waters of the state; hunting without permission; and improperly checking or registering big game.

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.

This is insane to me.

Go on a guided hunt to spotlight deer out of season. What is wrong with these people??

quote:

What is wrong with these people??

money, success, fame

Are they working their way up to the people running this poaching operation or did they turn in all the people who paid to poach?

https://omaha.com/news/state-r...e0-eb82add3be10.html

Owner of Nebraska hunting business federally indicted for alleged violations of wildlife protection laws
Molly Ashford Oct 25, 2023 Updated 2 hrs ago



The owner of a Nebraska company that offers guided hunting trips was federally indicted last week on allegations that he violated numerous wildlife protection laws in a wide-ranging conspiracy over a period of more than five years.

Dustin Noble, the owner of North Platte-based big-game guiding business Noble Outdoors, was charged in a 10-count felony indictment with nine counts of unlawfully transporting wildlife across state lines in violation of the Lacey Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. Each of the 10 charges carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The indictment of Noble comes after a series of federal prosecutions against his customers. Since last year, five people have been charged with violations of the Lacey Act in relation to hunts at Noble Outdoors, and four of those charged have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to probation.


The Lacey Act is meant to combat the illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish and plants, and it prohibits the transportation of illegally obtained wildlife across state lines.


Noble is accused of employing various unlawful tactics to increase the likelihood of his clients killing trophy wildlife. The indictment alleges that he facilitated the killing of at least 52 mule deer using a variety of illegal methods, such as hunting on private land without permission, shooting wildlife from the road, using firearms with sound suppressors, and hunting during nighttime hours, during the off-season and with firearms during archery season.



The illegally obtained wildlife was then transported by customers to at least six neighboring states, according to the indictment. Noble charged customers between $500 and $4,000 for his guide services.

He is further accused of taking customers hunting when he knew they did not have valid big-game hunting permits, and of falsifying records to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in order to evade law enforcement detection.

Noble’s own hunting license was suspended for 10 years in 2014 after he was charged with 71 misdemeanors in state court related to hunting law violations. He pleaded guilty to eight of the charges and was ordered to pay nearly $8,000 in damages in addition to the suspension.


While the suspension did not impact his ability to work as a guide, he is accused in the indictment of personally killing multiple animals while his hunting license was suspended.

Noble has entered a plea of not guilty and was released from custody ahead of trial.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

What is wrong with these people??

money, success, fame

SCI INNER CIRCLE members!

https://www.klkntv.com/man-get...l-hunts-in-nebraska/


Man gets federal prison for organizing 114 illegal hunts in Nebraska

9 hours ago Joseph McCarty


LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska man was sentenced Thursday in federal court for leading more than 100 illegal hunts.

Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte got 22 months in prison for conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, a federal law regulating the trafficking of fish and wildlife.

He will also pay $179,680 in restitution and spend three years on supervised release after prison.

Noble ran Noble Outdoors, a business based in North Platte that offered guided big game hunts.

From 2015 to 2021, Noble took family, friends and clients on at least 114 illegal hunting trips, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He used unlawful tactics like firing at animals from the road, hunting outside of sanctioned hours and going on private property without permission.

Noble and his accomplices illegally harvested more than 12 species, including 61 mule deer, 33 turkeys, four pronghorn and three white-tailed deer.

The hunts happened in at least three counties: Lincoln, Hayes and Frontier.

Authorities said he charged clients $1,200 to $4,000 and also had a taxidermy business that offered its services to his hunting clients.

During this time, it was illegal for Noble to hunt in the first place.

In 2014, he was convicted of wildlife violations in Dawson County and stripped of his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 10 years.

Under his plea agreement in the federal case, Noble forfeited multiple taxidermy mounts, two crossbows and several guns.

He is also barred from taxidermy for 10 years and from any hunting- or fishing-related activities for 25 years.

“Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future,” Lesley Woods, Nebraska’s U.S. attorney, said in a press release. “Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future.”

Noble is the 20th person to be sentenced in the case.

They have been ordered to pay a total of more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations.

https://sandhillsexpress.com/s...g-114-illegal-hunts/



Noble Outdoors Owner Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act Involving 114 Illegal Hunts

BY United States Department of Justice | September 5, 2025
Home › News › State News


Noble Outdoors Owner Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act Involving 114 Illegal Hunts

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Noble to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Noble’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Noble was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,680. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Noble forfeited multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. The Court also ordered that Noble shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for 25 years, and shall not conduct, assist, or associate with any fish or wildlife taxidermy activities or be present, or assist with taxidermy services for 10 years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021, while operating Noble Outdoors, a big game guiding business in North Platte. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.

The investigation determined Noble charged paying clients $1,200 to $4,000 depending upon the target species and conducted the guided hunts in at least Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties in Nebraska. During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and/or clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Noble employed various tactics and unlawful methods to increase the probability of locating, killing, and acquiring trophy wildlife including using specialized hunting equipment comprised of firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics; taking wildlife from upon or close to the road; taking wildlife during night-time or closed season hours; and hunting upon privately owned properties without the knowledge or permission of the landowner. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and must have landowner permission to hunt on private property.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted by Noble during the course of the conspiracy with the vast majority occurring between 2018 and 2020. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

Prior to his conduct in this case, Noble was subject to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission investigation and was charged with 71 counts. He was ultimately convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court, Nebraska, in February 2014. As part of his sentencing, he was subject to a 10-year hunting, fishing, and trapping revocation in the State of Nebraska. The current state/federal investigation revealed extensive and ongoing hunting violations committed, aided, and directed by Noble while his hunting privileges were revoked from his prior state conviction.

Today’s sentencing marks the near conclusion of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. To date, 19 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

United States Attorney Woods said, “This case demonstrates what state and federal law enforcement can accomplish when they join forces and unite in a common pursuit of justice. Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future. Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future. The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to join with our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to ensure that Nebraska’s resources are protected and available to all its citizens equally.”

“This case is a powerful example of the continued collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Jeff Clauson, Chief of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division. “Mr. Noble’s unscrupulous tactics targeting mature mule deer bucks for himself and paying clients or associates jeopardized herd health, strong genetics, breeding success, long-term population growth, and effectively stripped away seasons’ worth of hunting opportunity for the public and law-abiding hunting community. Holding wildlife violators accountable like those involved in this case, who demonstrate blatant disregard for game laws, is vital to conserving our state’s wildlife resources and preserving hunting opportunities Nebraskans cherish.”

“This outcome reflects our strong commitment to working with partner law enforcement and wildlife management agencies to protect our Nation’s vital natural resources,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “The defendants demonstrated blatant disregard for the law and caused lasting harm to Nebraska’s mule deer populations. We remain steadfast in pursuing and apprehending those who profit from the illegal exploitation of our natural resources while undermining the legacy of ethical hunting.”

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.