Hunters found with more than 260 mourning doves on September hunt sentenced

Four hunters were sentenced Wednesday for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during a September hunt in Ellis County in which they took in more than 260 mourning doves, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

The four who pleaded guilty were Harold C. Amrein, 53, of Ellis; Randy L. Amrein, 38, of Fremont, Neb.; Morris H. Russell, 48, of Omaha; and Tyrel S. Simpson, 33, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The four admitted their crime took place on Sept. 2, during a hunt on opening weekend of dove season. A warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism found them in possession of more than 260 mourning doves, according to the release. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning doves per hunter.

Each was sentenced to two years unsupervised probation, a $1,000 fine and $1,000 restitution. The terms of their probation state that they cannot hunt, fish, trap or accompany anyone else engaging in those activities for two years.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 6:58 AM with the headline "Hunters found with more than 260 mourning doves on September hunt sentenced."