Colusa County Man Fined for Two Violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ronald C. Simmons, 76, of Colusa, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two misdemeanor counts: unlawful baiting and unlawful taking of a migratory game bird, in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. He was immediately sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan and ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

According to court documents, on October 21, 2017, opening day of waterfowl season in the Sacramento Valley, Simmons and his invited guests shot and killed 16 wood ducks over a baited cornfield at Butte Creek Farms. Simmons, who managed a field on the Colusa County property, had previously rolled unharvested cornstalks and intentionally spread corn kernels onto the field as bait for wood ducks, a migratory bird, for the purpose of ensuring a successful waterfowl hunting season. Exposed and scattered corn kernels can lure and attract migratory birds. According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is unlawful to hunt migratory birds using bait.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica L. Anderson prosecuted the case.