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Matt Jennings made his identify chasing massive bucks on digicam — now he’s banned from searching in Kansas for all times.
The 35-year-old host of the TV present “The Recreation” simply pleaded responsible in federal court docket to illegally taking two antlered whitetails in Kansas again in 2022.
And never solely is he banned from ever searching or fishing in Kansas once more, he’s additionally on 5 years of probation, barred from searching in eight different states, slapped with $25,000 in fines and restitution, and compelled to forfeit the trophy antlers.
Right here’s what went down.
In accordance with court docket paperwork, Jennings illegally killed a buck close to Florence, Kansas, on Nov. 11, 2022. Downside is, his tag didn’t cowl that a part of the state.
So what did he do? Drove to Oklahoma and fraudulently tagged the deer there. Traditional poacher transfer.
Then — simply eight days later — he shot one other antlered buck close to Wakeeney. This time, his tag was legit for the world, however Kansas legislation clearly limits hunters to at least one antlered deer per season.
Jennings shot two. That’s a serious violation, particularly for somebody who claims to symbolize moral searching on nationwide TV.
To make issues worse, each unlawful hunts ended up featured on episodes of “The Recreation.”
The feds weren’t amused.
A federal choose ordered Jennings to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Division of Wildlife and Parks, plus a $10,000 positive. He’ll additionally must give up the antlers from each bucks.
Throughout his five-year probation, Jennings can’t hunt, fish, lure, or information — and he’s banned from tagging together with anybody doing so in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Kansas wildlife officers, with assist from legislation enforcement companies in six different states. Assistant U.S. Legal professional Matt Treaster prosecuted the case.
Backside line: in the event you’re going to evangelise honest chase and conservation on digicam, don’t break the legislation off-camera.
Moral hunters don’t bend the principles — they usually certain don’t attempt to cowl it up in post-production.
