Hunting Guide from Elk County Pleads Guilty to Lacey Act Violations

WICHITA, KAN. - A Kansas hunting guide pleaded guilty and was sentenced Tuesday for routinely violating state and federal hunting laws while taking clients on $300-a-day hunting trips, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Jerad Stroot, 26, Colwich, Kan., an employee of Eagle Head Outfitters, LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. In his plea, Stroot said his work included transporting hunters and their equipment to the field, directing hunters when to shoot, retrieving birds killed by hunters and keeping track of the number of birds killed by hunters and daily bag limits.

Stroot admitted:

• Placing corn, wheat and soybeans around ponds as bait for waterfowl.

• Helping hunters to exceed their daily bag limits by offering to say he shot some of the birds they shot.

• Failing to tag, process and transport birds as required by state and federal law.

Stroot was sentenced to five years on probation during which he may not hunt, trap or guide and a $5,000 fine

Co-defendant Josh Hedges, 35, Grenola, Kan., owner of Eagle Head Outfitters, is set for a change of plea hearing July 31.

Beall commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.