DEA agent accused of running a foul of duck hunting laws
December 01, 2010
ABINGDON, Va. – An hour into opening day of duck hunting season, a Bristol-based federal agent was charged with two misdemeanor hunting crimes in Washington County, Va.
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Brian C. Snedeker, 43, of Bristol, Va., was charged on Federal Road, between Mendota and the Scott County line, with hunting ducks in a baited area and exceeding the daily limit of ducks.
According to court documents, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries charged Snedeker at 8 a.m. Oct. 7, opening day of the duck hunting season. Shooting hours, according to the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl handbook, begin a half-hour before sunrise, and the sun rose on Oct. 7 at 7:28 a.m.
By the time Snedeker was charged at 8 a.m., he had three more ducks than allowed by daily bag limits, his summons notes. This year, the daily bag limit was raised to six ducks a day, from five last year, according to the handbook.
Exceeding the bag limit is grouped in the Virginia Code with hunting ducks during a closed season. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
His other charge, baiting ducks, violates both federal and state law. Snedeker was charged in just state court.
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