Hays Post

It has been a week since four men were stopped in rural Ellis County after allegedly shooting over 269 doves in one day. The legal limit is 15 doves per hunter.

The length of the case and release of details will hinge upon whether the hunters are charged in district court or will face more serious charges of violating federal laws regarding migratory birds.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is in contact with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about possibly filing charges in federal court.

“If federal charges are filed, it will take considerable time,” said Capt. Dan Melson of KDPWT in Hays. “If it is decided to just charge them in Ellis County, it won’t take much time at all.

The state is not releasing the names and ages of the hunters until a decision on charges is made.

“The officer who had contact with the hunters that day will make the decision,” said Melson.