Four arrested in disable veterans hunting license scam 😡

If you’re still with us, that means you’ve made it to the middle of yet another week.

With that in mind, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey and get another mid-week dispatch out the door.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

• Douchebaggery - 4 arrested in disabled veterans licensing scam 👏

• License increases inbound- It’s going to cost more to hunt bears in Wisconsin 🐻

• Record shattering - Kentucky’s whitetail season puts up record numbers 🦌

• Mountaineer bruins - Hunters downed nearly 2,500 bears last season  🎯

• Parking lot party - The boys really got into it 🐏

SCUMBAGS
AFTER LYING ABOUT BEING DISABLED VETERANS, FOUR ARRESTED IN LOUISIANA HUNTING LICENSE SCAM

It’s truly incredible to see the lows that some folks will go to in order to save a few bucks. And when it comes to scamming hunting license fees that help fund conservation, it adds another level of scummy douchebaggery.

That description sums up what is being reported as a two-year hunting license scam in which three Louisiana men lied about being disabled veterans while being aided by a female accomplice. 

On Monday, LDWF officers arrested John Ballard Jr. and his two sons Brian and Trevor after they allegedly falsified public records to receive disabled veteran hunting licenses. As what is looking to be an inside job, officers also arrested Kara Meek, who was an employee with the Office of Veterans Affairs who greenlit the trio’s applications…

Bear hunting license increase approved in Wisconsin: The increase is expected to attract more hunters, particularly in Zone C, located in central Wisconsin, and Zone D, which covers the northwestern part of the state. Read the full story. 

Kentucky’s 2024-25 Hunting Season Sets Records: Hunters took 149,868 deer, which is Kentucky’s second-highest harvest ever recorded, took more from public land, and broke the record on the percentage of antlered deer killed, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read the full story.

Minnesota DNR confirms CWD in 2 new deer permit areas: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed chronic wasting disease in two adult bucks in two new deer permit areas (DPAs) where the disease previously hadn’t been found, the agency said Monday, Jan. 27, in a news release. Read the full story.

Doe freed after having head stuck in feeder for months: After three months of having a plastic chicken feeder stuck around its neck, a local deer was rescued by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources on Thursday after a concerned resident fought for its safety. Read the full story.

Nearly 2,500 black bears harvested in 2024 West Virginia hunting season:According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, hunters in the 2024 black bear archery, crossbow and firearm seasons harvested a combined total of 2,479 bears. In 2023, that number was 2,830.  Read the full story.

Georgia DNR officials outline plan intended to contain spread of ‘zombie deer disease’: Starting next deer season, hunters in south Georgia will have the option to drop off the heads of deer they take to be tested for a fatal and infectious brain-eating disease sometimes called “zombie deer disease.” Read the full story.

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🐏 I love a good old fashioned parking lot party scrap. These boys straight up got to it right in the middle of a busy parking lot. But, that’s Montana, I suppose.

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Oh, and one more thing…