I don't know the man, and obviously is innocent until proven otherwise, but as someone once said, "this don't sound good..."

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/...er/10-enrd-1412.html

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThursday, December 9, 2010


Professional Duck Hunter Charged with Guiding Illegal Waterfowl Hunts in Central Illinois


WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Springfield, Ill., returned a 23-count felony indictment today charging Jeffrey B. Foiles with conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and making false writings in connection with the illegal sale of guided waterfowl hunts, the Department of Justice announced today.



The indictment charges Foiles, 53, of Pleasant Hill, Ill., with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and the federal false writings statute, 12 substantive violations of the Lacey Act, and ten counts of making false writings in a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.



The Lacey Act is a federal law that makes it illegal to knowingly transport or sell wildlife taken in violation of federal law or regulation. The act defines the sale of wildlife to include the sale of guiding services for the illegal taking of wildlife.



The indictment alleges that from 2003 to 2007, Foiles conspired with others to knowingly transport and sell ducks and geese that had been hunted and killed in violation of federal laws protecting migratory birds. In particular, Foiles is alleged to have sold guided waterfowl hunts at the Fallin’ Skies Strait Meat Duck Club in Pike County, Ill., for the purpose of illegally hunting and killing ducks and geese in excess of hunters’ individual daily bag limits. Foiles and his associates are also alleged to have falsified hunting records at the club in order to conceal the excesses, and to have filmed the illegal hunts for inclusion in commercial hunting videos.



An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.



The maximum penalty for a felony violation of the Lacey Act or the federal false writing statute includes up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.



The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the government of Canada. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.

10-1412Environment and Natural Resources Division

He is a call maker as well. Hopefully, the man is innocent but as you said....The charges do look slightly trumped up, or overkill for sure.
LDK

Foiles problem is he wants to film everything. I saw a video awhile back where he was hunting with an unplugged shotgun in Canada.
I guess the Feds saw it also.

quote:

Originally posted by brad may:
Foiles problem is he wants to film everything. I saw a video awhile back where he was hunting with an unplugged shotgun in Canada.
I guess the Feds saw it also.

I have seen several videos of 'pro' waterfowlers where the shots X shooters add up to more than multiples of threes, let's just say.

If he's innocent of the charges, I hope he makes a fool of the JD and doesn't get hurt too badly (though even being accused is certainly very bad for his business). If proven true, he'll likely pay dearly.

A bud has a straight meat goose call, and it sounds good. I don't know about $175 good, but...

Gonzo-style duck hunting ain't my style.....

All kidding aside, guys like Foiles are no good for our sport. Every single one of us has been tempted to kill more than our limit but know it's not the right thing to do......commercialization of hunting is a double-edged sword....he should have known better. That being said, the feds can be extremely zealous and turn dropping a napkin on the sidewalk into a federal offense if they want to.

I just got back from a Pheasant Hunt Lodge in S.D.
They were EXTREMELY lax about the bag limits. It really turned my stomach to see them make no effort to retrieve downed birds because that would end the shooting sooner than later. Everyday, the guide let the group go over the limit; not even counting the dead, but not recovered birds. The last day we were over again, but on the drive back to the lodge, the guide says to 2 of the guys that didn't "get enough shooting" that he will stop on the side of the road when he sees a rooster and for them to jump out and shoot it right there on the road.

The more money that people pay to hunt, the more they expect to shoot until they are satisfied. Too many guides are letting them do just that. It's good for their business and it results in huge tips. Our guide received over $3000 in tips for 3 days. (None from me) Another party in the other lodge (This outfit has 3 buildings) went poaching every night. The lodge owner just chuckled about it each day. They were long time customers and also were very generous tippers.

Folies hunting property is up for sale for 1.5 million.
I quess he knows he's in a bind.
This also is an other tool for the anti's to use against us.
This is very bad for hunting.

If we don't police our own a hell of a lot better than this, then I would like to see the dirty hippies use this against us. Something needs to change here.

quote:

Originally posted by The Shottist:
I just got back from a Pheasant Hunt Lodge in S.D.
They were EXTREMELY lax about the bag limits. It really turned my stomach to see them make no effort to retrieve downed birds because that would end the shooting sooner than later. Everyday, the guide let the group go over the limit; not even counting the dead, but not recovered birds. The last day we were over again, but on the drive back to the lodge, the guide says to 2 of the guys that didn't "get enough shooting" that he will stop on the side of the road when he sees a rooster and for them to jump out and shoot it right there on the road.

The more money that people pay to hunt, the more they expect to shoot until they are satisfied. Too many guides are letting them do just that. It's good for their business and it results in huge tips. Our guide received over $3000 in tips for 3 days. (None from me) Another party in the other lodge (This outfit has 3 buildings) went poaching every night. The lodge owner just chuckled about it each day. They were long time customers and also were very generous tippers.

So did you report these activities to the local Fish and Wildlife people? Doesn't sound like it? Whats wrong with you? FS

maybe he is planning on going back

Shot,... were you on a preserve or just a lodge,...if your on a preserve in SD the rules are different the season opens in september not october and there really aren't set bag limits but the preserve owner must record how many birds are harvested and replace more then he harvested for the year. They are checked by SD Fish and game weekly on there harvest numbers.

I knew people involved in "waterfowlgate" in Wharton Co, TX back in the 80's. Some of it was just downright entrapment, like a undercover USFWS agent shooting over the limit, then ticketing the guide because of that.