Two southeast Iowa men charged after deer were shot and abandoned

DES MOINES – Multiple charges were filed against two southeast Iowa men following an Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigation into several deer that had been shot and left to rot.

Ryan Matthew Greiner, 30, of Morning Sun and Treyton Hartman, 19, of Yarmouth, were charged after search warrants on their residences in Morning Sun and Yarmouth were conducted on Jan. 22nd. The deer, which had been shot with rifles, were reported to the DNR by the public.

Greiner was charged with the following:



18 charges of unlawful take/possession/transportation of a white tail deer.
18 charges of not having a valid deer tag
7 charges of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
2 charges of hunting deer with a motor vehicle
1 charge of unlawful possession of a non-game species (raptor foot)
1 charge of failure to report harvest
1 charge of hunting by artificial light
1  charge of no state migratory fee


In addition to the game charges, Greiner was also charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of marijuana and two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The charges against Greiner have a total possible fine of $7,503 as well as liquidated damages of $67,000 for 18 deer.

Hartman was charged and found guilty of the following charges:



One charge of not having a fur harvesting license
One charge of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
One charge of hunting with artificial light
One charge of not having a deer tag
One charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $4,000 damages assessed
One additional charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $1500 damages assessed
The DNR received assistance on the investigation from the wildlife forensic laboratory of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in analyzing DNA evidence relative to the case.

The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau also expresses gratitude to members of the public who reported the dead deer which led to the investigation and charges.

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Father and Son Sentenced for Deer Trafficking

Donald W. Wainwright, Sr., 49, of Live Oak, Fla., was sentenced August 3, 2015 in U.S. District Court to 21 months in prison and a $125,000 fine for 12 charges related to violating the Lacey Act, one count of conspiracy and one count of wire fraud. His son, Donald W. Wainwright, Jr., 29, of Live Oak, Fla., was sentenced to four months of house arrest and three years of probation for eight charges related to violating the Lacey Act.

Carter Stewart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Gregory Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, Chief Scott Zody, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced the sentences handed down by U.S. District Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

According to court documents, the co-conspirators trafficked in live white-tailed deer.  Wainwright, Sr. owned hunting preserves in Logan County, Ohio, and Live Oak, Florida; both preserves were named Valley View Whitetails. Wainwright, Jr. was part-time resident and part-time operator of the site in Ohio.

Wainwright, Sr. illegally shipped deer to Florida from Ohio and attempted to ship deer to Georgia from Ohio. The deer herds involved with these shipments were not certified to be free from chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and brucellosis. Federal Law requires interstate shipment of deer to be certified to be disease free. As a result, deer herds in Florida were potentially exposed to these diseases. His attempted shipment to Georgia was intercepted on I-71 South, about 50 miles from the Ohio River, when Ohio wildlife officers noticed deer noses and antlers inside a cargo trailer and pulled over a truck driven by Wainwright, Sr.’s employees.

“Trophy-sized white-tailed deer can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece if the animals come from herds that have been certified by government agricultural officials to be free from disease,” U.S. Attorney Stewart said. “Farmers are intensely interested in the disease status of white-tailed deer herds because their diseases can be transmitted to cattle and humans with potentially fatal results.”

Wainwright, Sr. placed federal identification tags from a certified deer that had previously died into the ear of uncertified deer they were selling. He then sold breeding services and semen from the deer to breeders around the United States.

The defendants also sold illegal white-tailed deer hunts at Valley View Whitetails of Ohio. They 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 did not have a hunting preserve license. The customers then took the bucks back to their home states, including: Florida, Michigan, Alabama and Virginia.

"Chronic wasting disease can decimate wild deer and elk populations and we take egregious violations like this very seriously," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Gregory Jackson. "We would like to thank our law enforcement counterparts in Ohio, Florida and Georgia for sharing their expertise and resources to fully investigate this case.”

Wainwright, Sr. pleaded guilty on February 27, 2015, to 12 charges related to violating the Lacey Act, one count of conspiracy and one count of wire fraud. He was also sentenced to 200 hours of community service to be served in a parks system and ordered to publish an article in The Deer Breeders Gazette.

Wainwright, Jr. pleaded guilty on February 17, 2015, to eight charges related to violating the Lacey Act.

Under the Lacey Act, it is unlawful to import, export, transport, sell or purchase wildlife, fish or plants that were taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of a state, federal or foreign law. When it was passed in 1900, the Lacey Act became the first federal law protecting wildlife.

U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by law enforcement, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Heather Robinson with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and Assistant United States Attorneys Peter Glenn-Applegate and J. Michael Marous, who are representing the United States in this case. 

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Putting an End to Deer Poaching on Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Thanks to an anonymous tip and solid investigative work, a 17-year serial poacher from

Minnesota was sentenced in federal court today after pleading guilty to a Lacey Act violation for transporting wildlife that was unlawfully taken in violation of federal law. In October 2013, William Robert Welsh, age 41 of St. Cloud, Minnesota pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge.

A plea agreement outlines an admission from Welsh that, in October of 2011, Welsh shot and killed a deer in the closed area of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The following day, Welsh sawed off the deer’s antlers and transported them to his residence, leaving the remainder of the carcass in the field. Welsh later transported the antlers and other evidence to another person’s residence and instructed them to hide the items.

As part of the sentence, Judge Franklin L. Noel of the Minnesota District announced that Welsh is barred from hunting “big game” anywhere in the United States for five years, banned from entering Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge for five years and forfeits his seized firearm and hunting equipment, along with trophy deer mounts and antlers from seven illegally taken deer. Judge Noel placed Welsh on two years of probation and 100 hours of community service, additionally banned Welsh from hunting small game during that time.   

This court case stems from a joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources investigation that documented what may be the most extensive poaching activity in the history of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Welsh’s illegal deer hunting operation was located north of Zimmerman, Minnesota in an area of the refuge that is closed to all public access.

“This investigation revealed at least a decade of egregious poaching on the refuge and other areas throughout the state,” explained U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Zone Law Enforcement Officer Brent Taylor.

“While the loss to the resource cannot be undone, it is good to know that this poacher will not be able to continue his unethical behavior anywhere in the country,” continued Taylor.

The investigation started when Federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officer Scott Pariseau received a call in November 2011 through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Turn-in-

Part of the illegal poaching by William Robert Welsh
 of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Photo by USFWS

Poachers hotline. Based on that information, investigators located Welsh unlawfully hunting in the closed area of the refuge with his young son. Officer Pariseau, along with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and Office of Law Enforcement special agents, identified five permanent tree stands in the closed area of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge that Welsh used for hunting deer.

“We are pleased to see this poacher brought to justice,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resident Agent in Charge Pat Lund, supervisor for Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

“Gluttonous wanton waste like this has no place on refuge lands and has a negative impact on legal, ethical hunting opportunities,” continued Lund.

Prior to this investigation, Welsh had been cited by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1996 for trespassing and illegally hunting deer in a Minnesota state game refuge, for which Welsh’s hunting privileges were revoked for three years. During an interview in December 2011, Welsh told investigators that, in 1998, while his hunting license was revoked, he hunted using his wife’s deer license and killed a deer and tagged it using his wife’s deer tag. Investigators found and seized this illegally taken deer during the execution of federal and state search warrants at Welsh’s residence in December 2011.

The investigative team discovered that Welsh illegally killed eight white-tailed deer in the closed area of the refuge from 2006 to 2011. Welsh had five of these deer mounted, and simply cut the antlers off the other three. Welsh referred to one of these deer mounts as his “big 8-pointer.” Welsh showed investigators a large tattoo on his back that depicted the skull and antlers of the deer. Welsh also admitted to killing three other deer off the refuge in violation of state law near St. Cloud, Minnesota. A witness told investigators about a fourth deer that Welsh shot at night from a vehicle while using a spotlight.

Investigators re-interviewed Welsh in July 2012, during which time he told investigators he had discarded the five remaining deer that investigators had determined were illegally taken in violation of federal and state laws. In the plea agreement, Welsh agreed to forfeit these five unlawful deer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but failed to make them available to investigators. In all, Welsh forfeited four deer mounts and the antlers from three other illegally taken deer.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to recognize the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and their conservation officers, whose assistance in this investigation was instrumental in the successful outcome of this case.

New laws increase fines for poaching antlered deer, recreational trespass

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

New state laws designed to deter poaching of antlered bucks, especially those with trophy-sized racks, and to reduce recreational trespass are now in effect in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today.

The new laws make several changes to the fines and restitution payments for poaching deer, including a progressive penalty system:  

• For any deer with or without antlers, the base restitution will be $1,000;
• For any antlered deer, there will be an additional restitution of $1,000 plus;
• For antlered deer with 8 to 10 points, an additional $500 will be assessed for each point; and
• For antlered deer with 11 or more points, an additional $750 will be assessed for each point. 

A “point” is defined in the bill as being at least 1 inch long as measured from its tip to the nearest edge of the antler beam.
As an example, illegally killing a 10-point buck in Michigan will now result in a $7,000 restitution plus fines and court costs.

Poachers also now face stronger penalties related to hunting privileges. Under previous law, poachers would lose their hunting privileges in Michigan for remainder of the year of the conviction plus three years. Under the new law, poachers who kill an antlered buck will now lose their hunting privileges for an additional two years on their first offense (potentially six years in total) and an additional seven years on second and subsequent offenses (potentially 11 years in total).

In addition, the new laws address recreational trespass by increasing the civil damage award that a landowner may recover. Previously under the law, the maximum amount a landowner could recover from someone who trespasses on his or her land to hunt or engage in other recreational activity was $250 or actual property damages. Under the new law, the civil action increases to $750 or actual property damages. Additionally, if someone kills any protected animal, game or fish while trespassing, the new law creates a new misdemeanor with higher fines than allowed for a first violation.

“Poachers who are targeting trophy deer will commit multiple violations to do so, including trespass, unlawful shining, hunting at night and not wearing hunter orange,” said Dean Molnar, assistant chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “These new laws give us more tools to go after these individuals, and are designed to reduce poaching of antlered deer in particular.”

Louisiana Men Guilty of poaching Iowa Deer

RED OAK, Iowa - Four Louisiana men were found guilty of poaching Iowa deer from a case that started when someone made a call to the Turn in Poachers hotline.

The investigation began in late November 2011 when the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department received a

“These men came to Iowa specifically to road hunt trophy bucks during the rut,” said Deb Howe, state conservation officer for the Iowa DNR. “They did not have any licenses or tags to hunt in Iowa during the time they were here.”

Michael Fralick, of Ponchatoula, La., was convicted on all 32 counts of deer hunting violations in four southwest Iowa counties. Fralick was assessed $6,123.90 in fines and court costs, forfeited two rifles and received a five year license suspension. He was ordered to pay $22,500 in civil damages.

James Moore, of Ponchatoula, La., pleaded guilty to discharge firearm from roadway, having a loaded gun in vehicle, failure to tag deer, illegal method of take in Adams County, Iowa, and was fined $604.50. He also pleaded guilty to two counts unlawful transportation/possession of whitetail deer, no valid non-resident hunting license, no valid non-resident any-sex deer license, no habitat fee, illegal method of take in Montgomery County, Iowa, and was assessed $1,688.50 total fines and court costs. Moore received a five year license suspension and was ordered to pay $10,000 in civil damages.

Moore was in possession of an illegal deer in Oklahoma when he was served with the Iowa citations by officials in Oklahoma.

Stanley Russel, of Roseland La., and William “Heath” Chambliss, of Kentwood, La., were both found guilty in Montgomery County, Iowa, of no valid non-resident hunting license, no valid non-resident any sex deer license, no valid non-resident antlerless deer license (required) and no habitat fee. Their fines and court costs totaled $1,433.40 each and they received a two year license suspension.

The four men pleaded guilty to various wildlife crimes in Kansas as well.

These convictions were the result of a 10 month investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Department of Game & Fish, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Information received through the TIP hotline in both Iowa and Kansas was critical in this investigation. If you have information on wildlife crimes please call TIP of Iowa at 1-800-532-2020 you can remain anonymous.

TIP call from a concerned citizen about the activities of these men. The information led authorities to possible illegal activity in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources received a TIP call about illegal deer activity around the same time that linked the two cases together.

Kansas: TOLL-FREE PHONE HOTLINE PUTS POACHERS ON HOT SEAT

1-877-426-3843 makes reporting wildlife crime easy
PRATT — Each year, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) natural resource officers (NROs) check tens of thousands of hunters in the field, and about 96 percent of them are found to be law-abiding. Unfortunately, many non-hunters sometimes associate these ethical hunters with that small percentage who are not. KDWPT has 73 NROs to cover the entire state, so they need the help of hunters — and anyone else who enjoys the outdoors — to watch out for those who don't take wildlife crime seriously. Whether it’s trespassing, shooting from a vehicle on the road, any other activity that appears to be a violation of the law, KDWPT officers need your help.
The easiest way to fight wildlife crime is by phoning KDWPT's Operation Game Thief hotline, 1-877-426-3843. Using this toll-free number, concerned hunters and landowners can quickly turn in wildlife criminals simply by picking up the phone. All calls received through the Operation Game Thief line are immediately relayed to the natural resource officer nearest the violation. The line is available anytime of day or night, every day of the year, and callers may remain anonymous.
Nothing can spoil a good hunt more than poachers, who should not be considered “hunters.” Although they may seldom describe themselves as poachers, wildlife thieves are just that. These are the people who trespass, road hunt, litter, take more than their bag limit, drink while they hunt, use illegal equipment, take game out of season, take wildlife for which there is no season, or vandalize. Poachers not only damage the natural resources they should be committed to conserving, they reflect poorly on hunters in the eyes of the general public.
Operation Game Thief calls have resulted in arrests and convictions on violations ranging from public lands vandalism to deer poaching. In many cases, poachers have been arrested within minutes of the call. Even drug operations have been uncovered by alert hunters using this number.
But remember these two important reporting rules:

• never confront suspects; and
• provide as much specific information as possible, such as vehicle descriptions and license tag numbers, descriptions of people involved, locations, and the time and location the incident occurred.

Remember, when you see someone violating wildlife laws, they are stealing from you and damaging the image of legal hunters. Help bring them to justice by phoning 1-877-426-3843.

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SD Turn In Poachers 2010 Statistics

Image via Wikipedia

Fall hunting is now in full swing, and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is reminding hunters who see illegal activities to call the Turn In Poachers (TIPS) hotline at 888-OVERBAG (683-7226).

The hotline, which is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allows people to report information about wildlife violations – and if they choose – remain anonymous. Those who would prefer to email TIPs reports may do so on the GFP website: http://gfp.sd.gov/agency/law-enforcement/turn-in-poachers.aspx

From July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011, a total of 394 TIPs cases were investigated. Those investigations led to 146 arrests or citations. As a result of successful cases closed during that period, poachers were assessed more than $27,000 in fines and were sentenced to 1,730 days in jail. Offenders were also assessed almost $50,000 in civil damages.

Wildlife Protection, Inc., the nonprofit agency handling TIPS rewards, paid $8,725 to those who took the initiative to report wildlife violations.

Since the beginning of the South Dakota TIPs Program in 1984, there have been more than 10,000 investigations, leading to more than 3,000 arrests or citations. Violators have been required to pay $650,000 in fines and more than $500,000 in civil damages.

During the same 28-year period, nearly $130,000 in TIPS rewards have gone to witnesses who provided information on violations.

“These numbers are proof that South Dakotans are serious about protecting our natural resources,” said Charlie Wharton, TIPs coordinator for GFP. “As caretakers of nature, we all have a vested interest in the public trust of preserving wildlife for future generations. It’s heartening to have people take an active interest in reporting violators and protecting our resources.”

Wharton reminds those who witness wildlife violations, and even those who learn of them later, to call their local conservation officers or use the TIPs hotline.

While any information can be useful, those things that can be most beneficial are accurate physical descriptions of people committing hunting and fishing violations, specific geographical information and vehicle information. The most helpful vehicle information is a license plate number, along with the general make, model, color or any unique markings and graphics that might improve the chances of officers locating them.

“South Dakota has a limited number of law enforcement officers patrolling our state,” Wharton said. “The good people of South Dakota can make a real difference in stopping poaching.”

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Indiana: Hunters asked to complete online state forest survey

Image via Wikipedia

Hunters can help monitor the abundance and distribution of deer and other wildlife species in State Forests by completing an online survey after each hunting trip to a State Forest this year.

“Hunters are uniquely skilled observers in the outdoors and are in a position to provide feedback that can help us better manage the resources of our State Forests,” said John Seifert, director of the DNR Division of Forestry.

Hunters are asked to go to dnr.IN.gov/forestry/7245.htm every time they return from a hunting trip. Multiple hunting trips made on the same day would ideally warrant separate visits to the website to complete a survey. State Forests in Indiana are listed at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/3631.htm.

This anonymous survey will be available all year online and is open to all hunters who hunt in the State Forests. Completion will take a hunter a few minutes.

More instructions are listed at the website.
 
Note: The DNR Customer Service Center and the DNR Deer Hotline, (812) 334-3795, will not be open on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

For more information: Scott Haulton, Forestry Wildlife Specialist, (317) 234-5725.

Here's a TIP: Fight poaching by using hotline

Licensed, ethical hunters know the rules and play by them, but poachers don’t.

Hunting season increases the likelihood that law-abiding hunters will encounter poaching, which is the illegal taking of fish, game or non-game wildlife.

When that happens, DNR Law Enforcement urges hunters to use the TIP hotline to file a complaint. TIP is an acronym for Turn in a Poacher or Polluter. Firearms season for deer runs Nov. 12-27. 

Anyone can use the TIP hotline but hunters are more likely to witness violations.

It’s quick and simple to report a violation. The toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367). Complaints also can be filed online at tip.IN.gov.

A typical poaching situation occurs when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for sunrise (the legal time to shoot), and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stop and shots ring out through the darkness. 

“True sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report this violation,” said Lt. William Browne, DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “Poachers are thieves, and some estimates indicate poachers kill as much fish and game as legal hunters and fishermen do."

TIP is a joint effort of sportsmen and women, private citizens, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s fish and wildlife. Cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators.

All information is held in strict confidence. The complaint can be anonymous. Neither videotapes nor signed confessions are required for successful prosecution of poachers. Citizens who provide TIP with information are not required to testify in court. Reported information is investigated by Indiana Conservation Officers.
 
For more information: Lt. William Browne, Division of Law Enforcement, (317) 232-0658.

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• Minnesota DNR night flights combat illegal shining and poaching (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)

Minnesota DNR night flights combat illegal shining and poaching

Image via Wikipedia

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is using its team of conservation officer pilots to identify shiners and other lawbreakers.

“We fly at an altitude that allows us to get a good look at the landscape without being easily detected,” said Lt. Thomas Buker, a DNR conservation officer pilot since 2004. “You’d be surprised at how easy it is to spot an offender from the air.”

Shining is the use of an artificial light at night to temporarily immobilize wildlife. In Minnesota, it is illegal to use flashlights, spotlights, headlights or other artificial lights to locate wild animals from two hours after sunset until sunrise, year around. A person possessing a firearm, bow or other implement that could be used to take wild animals is prohibited from shining at any time. While certain exceptions apply for raccoon hunters and trappers, the laws are in place to protect and minimize disturbances to wildlife, discourage poaching and protect personal property.

Each year poachers illegally kill hundreds of deer across the state, often by shining at night.

The poachers “freeze” the deer in the bright light and shoot them. These lawbreakers can be difficult to catch, since they typically operate on lightly traveled rural roads and in remote areas.

“During night flights, we can see things that would never be visible from the ground,” Buker said.

Using GPS and night vision, DNR pilots provide concise information to conservation officers in trucks. The team works in tandem to pinpoint offenders. “During the course of a few hours, we can effectively observe several hundred square miles,” Buker said.

Penalties for poaching and shining can include fines of several thousand dollars, loss of vehicles, and/or equipment involved in the crime and the loss of hunting privileges.

Anyone who observes shining, poaching or someone committing another natural resource violation should call the Minnesota Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. All calls are confidential and the caller may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if an arrest is made.

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North Dakota: Public Asked to Report Violations

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages hunters, anglers and landowners who have witnessed a fish or wildlife violation to file a report with the Report All Poachers program.

RAP is a cooperative project between the Game and Fish Department, State Radio Communications and the North Dakota Wildlife Federation. The RAP line offers rewards – from $100 to $1,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the crime – for information that leads to conviction of fish and wildlife law violators. Reports can also go directly to game wardens or other law enforcement agencies. Callers can remain anonymous.

Witnesses should note vehicle description, including make, color, license plate number and state issued. Description of the violator should also be considered.

Witnesses should report a violation by calling the RAP telephone number at (800) 472-2121. RAP will then contact the local game warden immediately. If the witness gives the RAP operator a phone number, the witness will be contacted right away.

Minnesota: Youth hunting the focus of DNR booth at Game Fair

Image via Wikipedia

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will showcase youth hunting opportunities at its informational booth during the 30th annual Game Fair.

The outdoor show is Aug. 12-14 and Aug. 19-21 at the Armstrong Kennels Ranch, six miles northwest of Anoka. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.  

This fall the DNR is offering 12 special youth deer hunts. The DNR is also coordinating several special youth waterfowl and pheasant hunting events. For more information on youth outdoors opportunities, Mike Kurre, Mentoring Program coordinator, will be at the DNR booth on Friday, Aug. 12 from noon to 4 p.m.

The rack of a record-setting, white-tailed eight-point buck taken by poachers in 2009 will be on display at the DNR Turn In Poachers booth from noon to closing each day. 

The DNR booth at Game Fair will be in a tent in Area B along the lakeshore, near the dog trials area.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to buy hunting and fishing licenses and pick up informational brochures at the DNR’s booth. DNR staff and conservation officers will be there to answer questions about a variety of topics, including:

• Fall youth hunting opportunities.
•  Hunting rules and regulations.
• 2011 fall waterfowl season.
• Hunter education courses.
• Hunting and fishing licenses.
• Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.

Game Fair has more than 300 exhibitors, plus hunting, shooting and dog exhibitions that are expected to draw more than 50,000 people during this year’s run.