A Nebraskan's taste for trout has left him up a dry creek for a year and $6,518 poorer.
Timothy Bare, 53, of Valentine, Neb., was caught possessing 249 trout. The legal limit is eight.
A Cherry County Court judge revoked Bare's Nebraska fishing and hunting privileges for one year and assessed him $5,875 in damages, $600 in fines and $46 in court costs.
The investigation began Sept. 13, 2009, when Valentine police officers contacted Frank Miller, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officer, about fish found in a large trash bin.
The investigation led to Bare's home. A search of a freezer in the garage revealed 249 trout, five undersized largemouth bass, two perch, a channel catfish, a bluegill, seven salmon steaks and a package of processed wild game.
Nebraska's possession limit is defined as the total number of fish or game that a person may have in his physical control or storage.
Bare's fines included penalties for the undersized bass. He pleaded guilty Monday.
“This case is a good example of cooperation and good rapport between different law enforcement officers and agencies,” Miller said.
People may report game-law violations to Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers by calling toll-free 800-742-7627. The call will remain anonymous and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward.
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