TV hunter pleads guilty to poaching

Don't recall this being posted, but it may have been, this was released today.

'The Syndicate' host pleads guilty in poaching case


"The host of a cable TV hunting show has pleaded guilty as part of an investigation into poaching on a remote national preserve in Alaska.

The terms of a plea deal signed by Clark W. Dixon on Monday call for an 18-month prison sentence, a $75,000 fine and forfeiture of trophies and weapons that the U.S. attorney's office says were used in the illegal taking of game.

The charges involve activities between 2008 and 2013 at Noatak National Preserve in northwest Alaska. After the charges were announced in September, the Sportsman Channel said it had suspended Dixon's show, "The Syndicate."

Sentencing was set for February. Dixon is from Mississippi.

The U.S. Attorney's office said in a release that four others charged in the case, including Dixon's father, have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Dixon is the only one among those facing a prison sentence.

Dixon was accused of participating in the illegal take of a brown bear and with conducting an illegal hunting operation.

"We've reached an agreement where my client has accepted responsibility and is agreeing to move on," Dixon's attorney, Brent Cole, said Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Skrocki said by email that the investigation "uncovered an extensive and illegal outfitting enterprise which was operating undetected for years in the furthest reaches of Alaska."

Skrocki said many of the hunts were selectively edited to appear legal for Dixon's TV show.

The National Park Service issued citations to two production companies and another individual for filming on the preserve without a permit, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Several cases connected to the investigation are still pending in court.""

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/201...ntcmp=obnetwork

I never heard or watched this show.

If the park allows hunting, then how where they illegal? Was it just a unregistered outfitter? Interesting. Wonder what all the details are.

The filming is a funny one. You have to buy a permit to film or photograph for profit on Federal lands. I heard that earlier this year and thought not so public property is it.

Are you asking me?

One of the biggest differences between conservatives and liberals is that if we have a bad guy in our midst, we will drop them like a hot potatoe. Not sure if any of things should be illegal (especially the filming on public land, you're right Bobo) but that is a different topic.

IDK, just says they illegally took the Brown bear and operated "illegally". Would be nice to know the exact charges. Apparently enough for him to do jail time.

I think it has been like that for a while, I know it has been for the movie industry. Maybe they figure if your taping for monetary benefit, you owe the public part of that benefit?

Fixed it, one tab to the left

He plead guilty and agreed to prison time.

That's that.

reminds me of Spook Spahn from the Spook Nation hunting show - he too was caught breaking game laws and then broke his probation. Pursuit Channel just changed the name of his show and let him keep filming. I will not watch that channel again

If he plead guilty and agreed to that stiff a sentence then I can assure all they had plenty of details to put a lot harsher sentence on him if they would have gone to court.
The permit to film on federal lands stems from Hollywood not hunting shows but the law is the law.
If there wasn't some type of permit system, a lot of federal lands would be overrun by people making movies or series for TV.

There's no hunt trip of film worth it to me to risk jail time. I understand the permit to film on federal land for profit. I'd love to see more details.

I think some of y'all missed the initial point. The issue of the production companies is secondary. Dixon illegally took numerous animals. Yes, the park allows hunting, but so does Texas. There are still regulations that have to be adhered to within the framework of hunting.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/201...ed-felonies-in/



Almost as stupid as gangbangers who video themselves committing crime in the city.

Didn't miss the point, sounds like justice served, just curious exactly what they did. It's interesting nothing more nothing less.

It has I just never thought about it, until this year when talking to an outfitter that hunts bears in NM. He had a hunting show celebrity come film a hunt. He had to caught two bears on 5k of private land and couldnt chase them on NF because of the filming permit thing. He got it done but talk about making things a lot more sporty!!!!

the name of the TV show was a self fulfilling prophecy

If I were to guess their permits apps got declined. Some areas you have to be really special to get one approved.

Kinda sounds like having to apply for a permit to own a gun in places like New York. Not sure how I feel about that.

Slightly different deal.

Just want folks to be able to enjoy the outdoors without bumping into film production groups everywhere you turn.

190 million acres of NF

You sure?, could it be 191 million acres?

These dudes on these hunting shows should get hammered for screwing up.