Have seen a lot of internet chatter regarding this case. Seems a lot of folks do not think it should be illegal to hunt non-native species from a helicopter, as pretty much any other method (spotlighting, etc) is perfectly OK. What says the THF?


https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2019/04/18...ortsmen-and-outdoor-enthusiasts-furious/


LAREDO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Four men have been sentenced to one year of probation and fined for a $12,000 sporting hunt in South Texas where a helicopter was used to kill exotic animals.

A federal judge in Laredo on Wednesday sentenced 36-year-old Cody Morganthaler of Oklahoma and three men from Laredo — 33-year-old Edelmiro Martinez, 39-year-old Eduardo Lopez and 56-year-old Inocente Sanchez.

Prosecutors say Martinez owned Laredo Hunting Resort, and Sanchez flew helicopters. Lopez helped organize the $12,000 hunt in 2017 in which Morganthaler killed four antelope and sheep, on the ground and from the air.


All pleaded guilty to violating federal law that bans using aircraft to shoot animals for sport or trophy hunting.

“The circumstances in this particular case would make any sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts furious,” said Kevin Winters, Texas Game Warden. “The fact that these individuals organized a trophy hunt from a helicopter, which resulted in the harvesting of a trophy Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) and Blackbuck (Antelope), is unethical and is a violation of both state and federal laws. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Wardens strive to protect our states natural resources.”

Morganthaler, Martinez, and Lopez must pay $5,000 fines. The pilot was fined $2,500

Non-natives? I don't care how you kill them as long as you aren't endangering other people.

Personally I would not pay money to do that. My concern is how they differentiate what non game animals can and cannot be hunted by helicopters.
Would if they were hunting what is deemed a Trophy Boar (feral hog) and not just randomly shooting at feral pigs would they (law) decide to have issue with that?

Interesting precedent.

I don't see how paying to shoot pigs from a helicopter is any different - that is indeed sport hunting if you are paying to go shoot pigs over land not owned by you or under your control. I guess HB 176 provides the cover to let it "legally" happen.

I wouldn't, but they are not native animals, no different than shooting hogs from a chopper.

I think the Guv.screwed up. Unless it is an endangered species what laws protect introduced exotic species?

I Personally consider "exotic" animals on game ranches as little different than livestock. If they are bought, bred and/or raised to be hunted or shot it shouldn't be the governments business how it is done.

I think if it's on a high fence ranch, and it has been raised to be hunted, it should be hunted in an ethical way. Howeverrrr, if they are causing problems via overpopulation or pushing native species out, kill them however you want to. Pigs on the other hand can be killed with attack helicopters for all I care.

What difference does it make?

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/nongame-and-other-species
Interesting quote from TPWD regulations booklet.

Federal law is the that got them into trouble I am guessing:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2005-title50-vol6/xml/CFR-2005-title50-vol6-part19.xml

If these guys got in trouble for hunting exotics from a helicopter; TPWD considers feral hogs and Russian boars as exotics. Makes me wonder if there is potential issues for a lot of hog hunting businesses out there?

I don't see how there could be any confusion here. Allowing helicopter hunting for hogs which are classified as exotics, does not also grant helicopter hunting for all exotics. The law would say, "you can helicopter hunt exotics", not "you can helicopter hunt for hogs".

The law says you can helicopter hunt for hogs and shoot hogs from hot air balloons, forgot that one..

What am I missing?

Got it,
Not certain why I put all all exotics in the same group, as only hogs and helos are okay

I was a bit confused when I first saw this as well. What does the state care on "livestock" is controlled?

The king ranch kills a bunch of nilgai out of helicopters. I guess when you own parks and wildlife you can do whatever you want though.

I have no interest in doing it, but if it’s a non-native game animal or pig or coyote...government should stay out of it!

Hell, they shoot elk, horses, and donkeys from helicopters....