Illegal Hunting Cases in National Park Area

Taken from the National Park Service Morning Report for Tuesday December 1, 2009:

Blue Ridge Parkway
Special Operations Result In Multiple Poaching And Weapons Charges

On November 20th and 21st, Plateau District rangers working in cooperation
with Virginia conservation officers and Carroll County deputies conducted
three special operations resulting in multiple cases. On Friday, rangers
and conservation officers stopped three vehicles for spotlighting along the
parkway and issued a total of 26 state and federal charges for weapon,
drug, alcohol and multiple hunting violations. Officers also seized three
weapons. As a result of one of the cases, Virginia conservation officers
were able to file nine additional charges in an on-going investigation
relating to the illegal taking of wildlife. On Saturday, rangers,
conservation officers and Carroll County deputies conducted a DUI
checkpoint. During the checkpoint, officers contacted the operators of
approximately 100 vehicles and issued 15 violations and 11 warnings for a
variety of offenses, including suspended licenses, drugs, alcohol, weapons,
hunting and equipment violations. Officers seized four weapons, impounded
two vehicles and issued a total of eight violations related to illegal
hunting. A total of 50 violations were issued over the weekend, 40 of which
were related to illegal hunting activity. [Bobby D Miller, Plateau District
Ranger]


Learn more about illegal hunting and poaching in my book, A Park Ranger's Life: Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks.

And a highly deserved well done to the Park Rangers of the Plateau District of the Blue Ridge Parkway.