TWRA News / Press Releases
12/23/2002 ~ MADISON CO. HUNTER PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING SWAN
On December 19, 2002, Larry Rogers of Madison County, TN plead guilty in Haywood County General Sessions Court to killing a juvenile Trumpeter Swan. Mr. Rogers contacted TWRA on December 1 and stated that he had killed an unidentified bird while duck hunting in Haywood County and he wanted to do the right thing and report it. He was cited by TWRA Officers for the illegal taking of wildlife after the bird was identified as a juvenile Trumpeter Swan. Mr. Rogers paid a $500.00 fine and $169.00 in court costs. He also had his hunting privileges revoked for 6 months.
TWRA would like to urge waterfowl hunters to review pages 9-10 of the 2002-2003 Tennessee Waterfowl Hunting Guide or go on line at
www.tnwildlife.org to review the characteristics of swans and cranes that can be found in Tennessee during the waterfowl seasons. These species are protected by both state and federal law in Tennessee and cannot be hunted. Through careful study, accidental shootings of these protected species can be prevented. "Don't Shoot Unless You're Sure."
What you just read was a press release by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It is my understanding that the bird was misidentified as a snow goose by Mr. Rogers but he was puzzled by the black bill and did what he thought was the right thing.
What do you think??
What would you have done??
Frog
