There goes someone’s hero

Ted Nugent Busted for Game Violations in California

Ted Nugent, the man everyone loves to love or loves to hate, was recently popped with several game violations after filming an episode of his hunting show in California.

From this story in the Sacramento Bee
Rock star Ted Nugent, a 1970s guitar hero for hits including “Cat Scratch Fever,” has recently created a successful second career as an advocate for hunting and outdoor ethics. His television show, “Spirit of the Wild,” is a four-time “Golden Moose” award winner on the Outdoor Channel. He has used his celebrity status to help promote better pay and working conditions for California game wardens, and consistently rails against poachers and other wildlife criminals. So it was with a double take of disbelief that two California game wardens sat down in February to watch the show, and witnessed Nugent allegedly violate several California hunting laws.

The Feb. 9 episode showed Nugent killing a young male deer with bow and arrow near the El Dorado County town of Somerset. The wardens were alarmed because the footage appeared to show Nugent killing a “spike” buck, or one whose antlers have not yet grown long enough to fork. Killing such a young deer is illegal in California.

It also appeared to show the deer feeding on a powdery material spread on the ground before it was shot. The Department of Fish and Game launched an investigation, spokesman Patrick Foy said, which later revealed this material to be a commercial deer bait. It is illegal in California to hunt with bait.”We looked at it and we just shook our heads, saying ‘I can’t believe he actually aired this episode,’ ” Foy said. “We were all really disappointed to see this happen with a guy who is a representative of hunters.” Nugent was later charged with 11 misdemeanors related to events that unfolded on his own television show, Foy said.

On Friday, following a plea deal with the Yuba County district attorney, Nugent pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in Yuba Superior Court: illegally baiting a deer, and failing to have a deer tag signed by a government official after a kill. Nugent did not appear in court. He was represented by Yuba City attorney Jack Kopp, who did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. The 61-year-old rocker, who lives in China Springs, Texas,was penalized with a $1,750 fine.

Your reaction? Honest mistake, or is ignorance of the law no excuse?

No excuse If you hunt anywhere know the laws before you go

I do like his music , and that he supports hunting and gun rights. But hunting in a high fenced area makes me puke . Each to his own not my style just an opinion . As far as the little buck goes he should pay his dues it would make him a hypocrite if he didn’t . Just my opinion

No excuse but I can see it. I hunt a bunch of different states each year and sadley, I’m not all that familiar with all the different states law. I have a hard enough time keeping up with Minnesota’s laws.

Love him or hate him, I respect what he does for the 2nd Amendment and hunting. Here is his response from his website.

From Ted Nugent:
To my Fellow Outdoorsmen…. You may have read the news that I pled no contest to two misdemeanor game violations. I should have been better informed, more aware and I take full responsibility. The honorable hunting lifestyle is my deepest passion.
-Ted Nugent

Sad day for hunters. At least he’s taking responsibility for his actions. One thing to keep in mind though is all of the good things that he’s done for hunting and the preservation of our hunting rights. May we all learn from his mistake and know the laws in which we hunt in.

Too bad. But nobody will remember this in 3 years and he will still be promoting gun rights and the rights of outdoorsman across the planet. Lots more good coming from this dude and he’ll overcome this little bump in the road.

That said, high fence, bait everywhere,,,ahh, I’ll watch something else. But again, I do love what he does for the sport(s).

It is sad…but just goes to show, Ted is about the hunt. How many other TV celeb hunters would shoot a spike ??? And you know he went off like it was a 12 pointer too He will pay his dues like everybody else I suppose, maybe more because he is Ted. Look at Jimmy Houston and his drugged deer high fence hunt.. he still has a show ???

Love the anti-hunting undertones in that article.

He did it, he apologized for doing it/being unaware of the law. He admitted his mistakes. He paid the fine… Yes, he’s a bit crazy, but he’s one of the most well-spoken hunting advocates we have… Have your film crew read the regs next time, but otherwise, go Uncle Ted. Glad he’s on our side.

As insane (in a good way) as that guy is, he’s nothing compared to the Californian legislature and Hollywood crowd mindsets (in a bad way) …….

2 cents.

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He did it, he apologized for doing it/being unaware of the law. He admitted his mistakes. He paid the fine… Yes, he’s a bit crazy, but he’s one of the most well-spoken hunting advocates we have.

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X2 He could’ve taken the Roger Clemens approach and denied everything! I have lost all respect for Roger. As far as Ted goes, I do enjoy watching his shows because he is so real when it comes to his excitement over his hunts. He may go over the top but that is the way he is. But I think as hunters we can all learn from his mistake!