2 hunters indicted, accused of trying to lure birds illegally
11/13/2024
Two men employed as hunting guides were recently sentenced for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The men were convicted for placing “bait”—grain, feed, or salt to serve as a lure—to attract waterfowl for the purpose of hunting.
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee indicted Chase Michael Courville, 27, of Abbeville, Louisiana, and Dalton Harrison, 20, of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Courville and Harrison were accused of luring and baiting migratory birds; both were placed on a year’s probation and forced to pay a monetary fine for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In the early morning hours of December 7, 2023, agents with the wildlife service Courville, Harrison, and several other people hunting waterfowl there.
By the time the agents arrived, the group had killed eight mallard ducks and a Canada goose.
Both Courville and Harrison had worked as waterfowl hunting guides prior to this incident.