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Wildlife conservation groups form reward fundInformation sought in accidental death of goose hunter
Twelve conservation organizations in Kansas have joined together to create a reward fund for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals involved in the accidental death of Beau Arndt of Americus, Kan. Arndt, who would have been 19 two days after the accident, was fatally wounded while hunting geese north of Emporia, Kan. Authorities are looking for the driver of a late-70's Ford pickup that has a red cab and front end with an orange pickup bed. The vehicle is believed to have Shawnee County license plates. They believe the three occupants of the vehicle may have mistaken the decoys for live geese. The organizations involved are the Kansas Wildlife Federation, the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association, the Kansas Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Emporia Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited, the Kansas State Council of Quail Unlimited, Quail Unlimited Inc., the Lyon County Hunter Education Instructors, the Kansas Outfitters Association, Geary County Fish and Game Association, Friends of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. So far the fund amounts to over $5,000. "This is an extremely unfortunate event," said Don Snider, Wichita, president of the Kansas Wildlife Federation, which is spearheading the reward effort. "The individuals responsible for this shooting are not hunters. It's illegal to shoot at game from a vehicle, to shoot into land without the landowner's permission, to shoot from the road and to shoot at gamebirds with rifles. They are poachers, nothing more than common criminals." "Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more of these types of incidents occurring in the field," said Dan Melson, Eureka, Kan., president of the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association. "I can't tell you how many times I've laid out in a field amongst decoys. Any number of hunters in the state could have this type of accident happen to them. We need the help of the public for specific information to bring these individuals to justice." "This really has our leaders concerned," said Brandon Houck, National Wild Turkey Federation's Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist from Allen, Kan. "Our members see this happen in the spring, also," said Houck "when they are using decoys to attract male turkeys." Houck passed along a tip he heard about related to goose hunting. "Some guys carry an orange flag on a stick when hunting with field decoys," said Houck. "Whenever they hear a vehicle slow down on a nearby road, they immediately start waving this large flag. It could save a hunter's life in the future." "This accident happened within 15 miles of my house and I can tell you that it really has the entire community shaken up," Houck continued. "Kansas sportsmen and women need to take on the responsibility of turning in violators of game laws for the sake of the sport," said Barth Crouch, who is the Regional Biologist for Pheasants & Quail Forever, Salina. "If we allow these unethical individuals to continue without any penalties, we give the public the wrong impression about hunting and outdoor recreationists." "The Board of Directors of the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association will work with Lyon County law enforcement authorities to determine the recipients and amount of the reward," said Snider. "We hope someone will come forward with the critical information needed in this incident." Individuals who want to contribute to the reward fund can send it to Reward Fund, Kansas Wildlife Federation, P. O. Box 771282, Wichita, KS 67277-1282. "Kansas sportsmen and women came together in 2005 to sponsor a bill passed by the Legislature to strengthen penalties for game violations. We are again showing that the ethical hunters can work toward getting these individuals out of the field." Individuals with information should contact the Lyons County Sheriff's Department at 620-342-5545 or they may anonymously contact the Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273. You can also contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park's Operation Game Thief at its toll free number 1-877-426-3843. 12/31/07 Date: 12/27/07
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