Taken from the Outdoor Wire 4/6

End Of The Game Trail?

Only weeks ago, Game Trails, a hunting facility in Northwestern Kentucky, was billing itself as the "proving grounds for the hunting and shooting industry" and notifying hunters they were taking advance reservations for the 2009 hunting season and were expecting their limited hunting opportunities to fill up quickly.

Today, it is history, following an 18-month long state and federal investigation that concluded with Game Trails and its site manager pleading guilty to "numerous misdemeanor violations of the Lacey Act of taking wildlife unlawfully, and for making false statements to Kentucky officers about the takings and interstate transportation of wildlife." Game Trails and site manager, William Dirk McTavish, Jr., 43, of Paducah, paid a total of $50,000 in fines.

Another former Game Trails employee, Robert Christopher Helms, 40, of Booneville, Indiana, still faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of threatening a federal witness. His sentencing is scheduled for June 11.

In August 2007, Kentucky wildlife officials noticed "numerous inconsistencies" while comparing and analyzing 2006 Telecheck deer harvest data with data that Game Trails LLC had supplied to Quality Deer Management Association in Georgia.

After Kentucky wildlife biologist David Yancy raised those concerns with Kentucky conservation officers, they began a lengthy investigation that involved reconciling the Telechecked deer harvest reports of Game Trails clients with information subpoenaed from QDMA.

They didn't jibe.

In fact, the investigation turned up "numerous instances" of "Game Trails employees, their friends and family chronically taking over-limits of deer, outside hunting season parameters, supplying false information to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and using social security numbers of Game Trails clients without their permission to Telecheck their deer harvests."

Kentucky DFW Lieutenant Greg Noel and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent John Barham discovered hundreds of deer jawbones and documentation tying them to Game Trails after traveling to Atlanta, and serving a federal search warrant at QDMA's headquarters.

By sending the jawbones to another state, Game Trails was guilty of transporting illegally taken deer out of state. That transport constituted the Lacey Act violations.

The 12,000-plus acre site, bordered by about 4½ miles of Ohio River, was owned by Kimball International and leased to Ritz and sharecroppers.

The previous owner had used local draw hunting to manage the deer herd, but that Game Trails eliminated that practice because it interfered with its filming and big buck hunting routines.

As a result, the herd grew quickly and Game Trails contacted QDMA to evaluate and make recommendations about improving the deer herd.

As part of the information process, Game Trails supplied QDMA with completed data sheets and jawbones of harvested deer.

A guilty plea for Lacey Act violations has apparently spelled the end of the trail for Game Trails - at least in Kentucky.
That data, collected during Noel's and Barham's investigation, conflicted with Telecheck data. That discrepancy formed the backbone of what one observer called "an airtight government case" against Game Trails.

For the hunting industry, Game Trails case is more than another case of dubious business dealings. It's one many in the industry hoped would simply go away. That's because of the affiliations of Game Trails with many of the brand names in the outdoor

Game Trails' sole-proprietor owner is former Thompson/Center Arms owner Gregg Ritz. And Ritz' use of his many connections in the industry to promote Game Trails has many very nervous.

For years, Game Trails has been a go-to locale for television hunting programs. Thompson/Center, Realtree, Winchester, Hunter's Specialties, Nikon, Under Armour, Federal, Bad Boy Enterprises and others regularly used the property to host outdoor writers and film television shows to promote and test their products.

In fact, a brochure for Game Trails touts the success of the Game Trails property that was regularly documented on "Realtree's Monster Bucks, Bass Pro Outdoor World, Tales of the Hunt, Game Trails (hosted by Ritz), Petersen's Hunting" and various other television shows. Additionally, the brochure reads like a who's-who of writers who have hunted the property and praised the "unbelievable quality of the deer and turkey populations."

State and federal officials have not yet released the names of those hunters whose names and social security numbers were unknowingly used on false Telecheck reports. When that information is released, the sheer number of outdoor celebrities who have used the facility may mean their names were unknowingly -and innocently- tied to the Lacey violation.

Officials stress that Game Trails clients whose names were used in the Telecheck reports are not under suspicion of having done anything to violate any state or federal game laws. Neither has QDMA, billed as a "partner" in the management of the deer herd on the property been accused of any wrongdoing.

The acreage that made up Game Trails was leased land, owned by Kimball International which harvested oak, walnut and chestnut trees from the property. Yesterday, we were told that the lease was no longer in effect and the property was being "repurposed" by Kimball.

Investigating officer Noel says the property has been "vacated" and Game Trails is "moving its operations to Ohio."

The telephone numbers for Game Trails are no longer in service, and the website that formerly featured pictures of many of the best-known names in the hunting industry is "under construction".

We'll keep you posted.

WOW!
W.

I think I understood everything in the article and I must say what a shame that people have to pull that shit, its all about money and fame. But why were they sending deer jawbones across state lines? I don't get that part.

They were sending them to QDMA I believe to have them aged to ensure they were managing the herd correctly and maintaining the right age structure.

Wow. I wonder if any other "big" named people in the hunting industry will be in deep s***?
Too bad, hate to hear stuff like that. Snell hit it on the head..all about the $$$ and fame.

I wonder if the folks who already booked '09 reservations got their $$$ back? Or perhaps their hunts are now rescheduled in Ohio?

I still think that the main catalyst behind this behavior, other than money of course, is the status of a record book animal. B&C and P&Y need to separate private land and public land animals. These mega acre ranches that grow their own animals will eventually end hunting as we know it for the working class American and will be for those with wealth and status. Hopefully, I'm gone by that time, and hopefully, I'm wrong.

These assholes got off easy IMO!

I'm tired of seeing whitetail hunts on tv anyway, so im glad they got caught. hopefully the shows will find something more interesting to film now instead of relying on places like this with their easy in-easy out kills.

Since the announcement of Ritz himself being involved would have made bigger news, I wonder how much he personally really knew?

I really don't know the answer, nor am I slinging mud, it is just a question.

If they are guilty, HANG"EM HIGH!!

I have a short chain for folks outside the law now days.

Since they were sending the jaws to QDM for aging, it sounds like they were culling the heard per QDM's recommendation, just didn't have enough hunters to do it legally.

They could get all the hunters they wanted based on their prices. Higher the price - the fewer the hunters. Lower the price - the more.

The jaw thing does have me questioning some things. If they could show plenty of 'old' deer, maybe they could bring more on to the property to sell for hunts?

Also, was this a high fenced operation?

Not a high fence place. Before Greg Ritz/TC leased it, it was open to hunting so if they needed to cull some deer it should not have been much bother to enlist some local folks.

quote:

Originally posted by Futrdoc:
I'm tired of seeing whitetail hunts on tv anyway, so im glad they got caught. hopefully the shows will find something more interesting to film now instead of relying on places like this with their easy in-easy out kills.

+1

So does sending jawbones to another state constitute the same as sending deer to another state? Doesn't make sense to me. I didn't know it was illegal to send jawbones across state lines. Louis

quote:

Originally posted by youngoutdoors:
So does sending jawbones to another state constitute the same as sending deer to another state? Doesn't make sense to me. I didn't know it was illegal to send jawbones across state lines. Louis

I think that animal parts off animals taken unlawfully, (even if a misdemenor) shipped across state lines, constitutes a Lacey Act violation, which is a felony.

So they are utilizing the Lacy Act to get felony convictions for these crimes that may in fact just have been misdemenors before. ( I do not know that states laws, so I am just guessing)

Just another example of the quest for the almighty dollar damaging the sport of hunting. Is anyone else getting sick of this kind of crap? There's hardly a hunting magazine or video I can watch anymore without getting disgusted.

Another camo wearing thompson center marketing victim. I am so surprised.

I saw a show last fall that starred Larry Weishuhn shooting deer on a farm in kentucky.He made it look so easy,hes such a good hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by jb:
I saw a show last fall that starred Larry Weishuhn shooting deer on a farm in kentucky.He made it look so easy,hes such a good hunter.

JB, I do get your drift here, and I don't know Larry Weishun, but I do know his television 'partner' Ron Spomer. Ron is an excellent hunter, incredibly knowledgeable, fit and ethical. Throwing out the fit part, I actually believe Larry is too.

I think I saw that show you did, and if I recall, and it was the same show, he was hunting on an old friends farm, and he took a real so-so buck....with his pistol I think, and they even showed him miss a couple of times

I don't think we should paint all these guys with the same brush, and some of the story above makes me wonder who pissed off who? I agree the celebs typically buy a hunt where there are tons of big critters, and make it seem like they are such great hunters when the just show up, sit a stand and shoot.

That isn't my idea about hunting totally, especially when the folks know exactly what critters are coming around--and never in a fence--

...but if I took someone to Kansas, sat them in a stand I've taken 8 plus years to situate, and know it is in the right place to maximize the chance of getting a shot at a big buck, and you kill a big one, is that being a poor hunter--maybe-maybe not since I had done the real 'hunting' but the 'guest' just executed the shot???? I don't know for sure, you'd still have to be alert, look where I told you, and freeze your ass off, and execute a good shot.....still seems different to me, than these private farms---maybe the difference is I don't get paid, and damn sure can't tell you what deer are or aren't coming around---which is why I go---cause you never know!

From today's OUTDOOR WIRE:


Game Trails Revisited

When we first reported the story of Game Trails more than two weeks ago, we suspected the story would attract more interest than most simple criminal investigations.

After all, Game Trails had built -and marketed - a reputation as a hunting location frequented by television crews, hunting writers and companies testing their newest products.

The man behind Game Trails, Gregg Ritz, is the former owner of Thompson/Center Arms, a television host, and closely affiliated with some of the most popular names in outdoor television.

That added to the interest of the story, and it has continued to roil across the industry.

Today, we offer a pair of clarification statements regarding Game Trails. We offer them both in their entirety - and without comment.

First, a statement from Smith & Wesson, the current owners of Thompson/Center Arms clarifying their relationship with Game Trails.

Statement from Thompson/Center Arms:

"Thompson/Center Arms does not now, nor has it ever, had any form of� ownership of or control over the Kentucky hunting property that was operated by Game Trails, LLC.� The Company has been a past customer of the property and has paid a fee for use of the property when hosting various events.

"The Game Trails television show, of which Thompson/Center Arms has been a sponsor, is not, to the best of our understanding, related in any way to the Kentucky property operated by Game Trails, LLC

"Thompson/Center Arms is steadfast in its commitment to the hunting heritage and promotes the highest level of ethics in all respects.� We do not tolerate any violation of state or federal game laws and will continue our long support of national programs that nurture the sport of hunting and educating youth about the ethics, responsibilities and privileges of enjoying the outdoors."

Last night, we received a release from the attorneys representing Ritts and Game Trails.

It is lengthy, but again offered in its entirety and without comment.

Here, then, is that release:

"Sturgis, Kentucky. April 8, 2009. - Misstatements of fact and misleading information related to a misdemeanor case involving Game Trails, a company with operations in Kentucky, has prompted this release to clarify the record.

On March 19, 2009, Game Trails, LLC, and its general manager Dirk MacTavish pled guilty to misdemeanor violations of the Lacy Act. More specifically, the violations were technical in nature and involved the mistagging and telechecking of deer. Both Game Trails and Dirk MacTavish paid fines. No other sanctions were imposed: no probation; no loss of hunting rights; and no loss of outfitter's licenses. Gregg Ritz was neither charged nor plead guilty to any violation, misdemeanor or otherwise.

At all times throughout the process, Game Trails and Dirk MacTavish were forthright and cooperated fully. The mistakes in tagging deer were admitted and the matter was resolved. As noted, only fines were paid on technical misdemeanor violations. The case has been officially closed.

The relevant facts with regards to this case can be accessed through the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Owensboro. However, the same cannot be said for subsequent reports, which have been littered with half-truths and false accusations. The facts have been misconstrued and inaccurately characterized. This statement will present the truth.

In addition to the aforementioned, the relevant facts are as follows. In 2006, Games Trails was instructed by an agent of the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife and mandated by the land owner Kimball International to reduce the number of deer on the property to help reduce crop damage. Game Trails had been informed by Kimball's on-site manager that the crop damage caused by deer population had resulted in Kimball International offsetting the tenant farmer's annual lease in the amount of $35,000. Authorities at Kimball advised Game Trails that its lease would be terminated if the deer population was not reduced.

In an effort to comply, Game Trails conducted the largest ever camera survey for whitetail deer in association with the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) to determine the proper number of deer to be harvested. A formal report was presented to Kimball International by the QDMA with a recommendation to harvest 200 deer. However the Commonwealth of Kentucky conducted an independent deer damage assessment and concluded that the harvest number was far greater than 200.

Game Trails sought the advice and cooperation of local Kentucky authorities to request and receive special consideration with the harvest process. The request for special consideration concerning the deer management program was rejected. Instead, Game Trails was informed that if it needed assistance in reducing the population, then it should consider allowing local authorities, their friends and family access to hunt. This idea was not satisfactory to Kimball.

QDMA, on behalf of Game Trails, then appealed directly to officials in Frankfort, Kentucky, the state's capitol, to request special consideration for the doe harvest. Again, Game Trails was denied special consideration and was informed no consideration would be given as long as Game Trails was in possession of the hunting lease.

Later, in 2006, Kentucky issued Game Trails several hundred Animal Control tags to accommodate the additional deer harvest requirements. The harvesting of the deer and use of the Animal Control tags were improperly managed by a former Game Trails' site manager, who applied the tags to any hunter; essentially "community tagging" the animals. The former site manager performed all operational aspects of the business and personally tagged every animal. He was later terminated for performance issues unrelated to this incident. It must be noted that no deer went unchecked and all deer were harvested by licensed hunters.

To further clarify and correct the misinformation circulating we would like the public to know the following:

• Neither Dirk MacTavish, General Manager of Game Trails, nor Gregg Ritz, owner of Games Trails, tagged or tele-checked any of the deer harvested;

• There were no charges or fines levied against Gregg Ritz;

• Neither Dirk MacTavish or Gregg Ritz made false statements to Investigators, or any other authorities;

• Neither Dirk MacTavish nor Game Trails lost their outfitting license, hunting rights or were placed on probation;

• Every deer killed was processed and given to families in need;

• With the exception of this 2006 incident, no other violations were found to have occurred during the period in which Game Trails occupied the property;

• Felony prosecution of former Game Trails' employee Chris Helms is only incidental, and is unrelated to this matter; neither Gregg Ritz nor Dirk MacTavish have any involvement with that case; and

• Kimball International sold the Sturgis, Kentucky land last November (four months prior to this event) and the new landowner chose not to sublease the hunting rights, resulting in Game Trails closing its Kentucky operation at present.

Due to the mistagging and telechecking at Game Trails, the personal and business reputations of Game Trails, Gregg Ritz and Dirk MacTavish have all been unfairly tarnished. Mistakes were made, and a fine was paid. But Game Trails and Gregg Ritz have built a name of excellence and integrity in the industry, and these technical violations should not diminish that reputation. It is unfortunate that multiple inaccuracies have worked to do just that. Basic fairness dictates that those involved should be judged on the facts of record in this case, and those facts alone. "

OK, they've had their say. As is my prerogative, I will have the final words - at least for this morning - on Game Trails.

The facts of this matter are pretty straightforward.

Someone at Game Trails screwed up.

An investigation verified suspicions of wrongdoing and led to appropriate charges being filed by state and federal officials.

Game Trails - and its owner, directly or otherwise -admitted the mistakes, plead guilty to the violations, and paid the fines.

If Game Trails had been most operations, that would have been the end of the story.

But it isn't.

This story has "legs" because of the notoriety of Game Trails, its sole-proprietor and his many friends and industry contacts who have hunted there.

Their involvement, innocent or not, adds a whole new level of scrutiny to the story.

That scrutiny may or may not be fair, but it is one part of the price of celebrity.

--Jim Shepherd

quote:

Originally posted by Futrdoc:
I'm tired of seeing whitetail hunts on tv anyway, so im glad they got caught. hopefully the shows will find something more interesting to film now instead of relying on places like this with their easy in-easy out kills.

+2

Every time you turn to an outdoor television network some guy in UnderArmour is driving a Bad Boy Buggie and using a TC Encore to hunt whitetails.


Outdoor Writer is probably correct about why the story has "legs". However, they bring that upon themselves by using everyone in the industry with a TV show to pimp their property. They should be even happier because that many more people know about Game Trails now.

If nothing else this case is another fine example of the misdirection of the sport of hunting of late. A big name, finacially secure party moves in to lease up a huge tract of land displacing local hunters. Then petitions to have regulations set to suit their needs so as to pimp their product an over charge for paid hunts to ego driven hunters. When caught breaking the law, of any degree, they have their lawyers release a STATEMENT SAYING IT WAS ALL AN INNOCENT MISTAKE.
Horse shit! I should seem to anyone that Ritz left someone else take most of the rap to deflect attention away from himself.
Why didn't Game Trails just allow locals in to harvest the anterless deer to begin with? Could it be the "all for us screw them" mentality?
I don't own any of those ugly guns nor do I use UA or drive a Bad Boy but I still manage to kill a nice buck or two each year...as do most ethical sportsmen.

I am so burned out on hunting TV it wouldn't bother me if it all went away.

hard to think just the worker bees knew what was going on

Sounds like politics:
You don't let me and Bubba hunt free yore gonna have trouble, Big touble ,Boy, yah hear Me!

you apply you get denied.

You appeal you get denied.

You still don't get the message--watch yore A$$