Clarke County men convicted of dove hunting violations

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Nov. 1, 2003
Six Clarke County men were convicted Thursday on charges of hunting dove over a baited field in September 2002.
They are James D. Mathis, Michael C. Mathis, Shannon R. Mathis, Jason D. Mathis and James M. Barnhardt, all of Quitman, and Ollie D. Walker Jr., of Stonewall.
The case was heard by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alfred G. Nicols Jr. of U.S. District Court in Jackson.
Jason Mathis also was found guilty of hunting doves with an unplugged shotgun. When hunting migratory birds, hunters are required to "plug" their shotguns so that they will hold no more than three shells at a time.
The defendants, except for Walker, were ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and were placed on probation for one year. They are also prohibited from hunting migratory birds for one year.
Walker was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and was placed on probation for two years. He is prohibited from hunting any kind of wildlife during his probation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dowdy said Friday that Walker received a stiffer penalty because he had been convicted in Clarke County Justice Court seven times previously for game-related offenses, including hunting over bait.
The case was investigated by officers with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in Clarke County.
Dowdy said the penalties handed down Thursday are average for the offenses involved.