Conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife uncovered the violations during an investigation of illegal guiding in western Kentucky.
Carl Doron of Murray and four of his employees with Snipe Creek Outfitters entered their pleas in Calloway County District Court December 13.
Doron pleaded guilty to 97 charges relating to guiding without a license, and two charges of baiting a deer in a chronic wasting disease surveillance zone.
Also charged were Jerry Smith of Murray; John Sullivan of Almo; Tyler Mitchell of Carlisle; and Jeffrey Ort of Blairstown, New Jersey.
Doron received the bulk of the fine at $50,500 with a 360-day jail sentence. The jail sentence will not be imposed if Doron meets the conditional discharge requirements over the next two years.
Calloway District Judge Randy Hutchens ordered that Doron could not incur additional hunting violations as part of his conditional release. The court will recommend a six-year suspension of any guide licensing privileges if Doron chooses to commit any violations.
Ort was fined $8,500 and received a 360-day sentence suspended on conditional discharge. Mitchell was fined $3,000; Smith and Sullivan were fined $4,500 and $2,000.
Commercial guide licenses are issued by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. A license is required of anyone who advertises or is paid for offering services to others to take wildlife.
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