Couple convicted of game violations

Thursday, February 13, 2014

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- A North Carolina couple who hunts in a reality television series has been convicted of federal game violations in Nebraska.

The couple hunted in Frontier County.

Jason and Britney Edney of Hendersonville, North Carolina, were accused of interstate transportation (from Nebraska to North and South Carolina) of unlawfully killed deer, at least 25 instances of overbagging or hunting turkeys without permits, illegally taking 29 deer, failing to check 17 deer, and five small game violations. The violations occurred in Frontier County, as well as in Dawson, Keya Paha and Lincoln counties.

The Edneys own an outfitting business called "Fur & Feather Outdoors" and hunted on a television show called "Drury Outdoors" and "Drury Outdoors Dream Season 4," a show in which competing couples filmed their hunts. The Edneys also run a hunting lodge operation called "Fur & Feather" in Nebraska that has been featured on Drury Outdoors, on the Outdoor Channel.

The Edneys' Facebook page for Fur & Feathers shows photographs of successful hunters in front of a sign reading, "Fur & Feather Outdoors. Maxwell, Nebraska." Maxwell is in Lincoln County.

The violations were investigated and uncovered over four years by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents.

Jason Edney made a plea deal and was convicted of a felony violation of the "Lacey Act," a federal law that bans the trade of fish, wildlife and plants that are illegally taken, transported or sold. He was ordered to pay $35,000 in restitution and court costs. His five-year probation includes a ban on hunting, fishing or trapping. Nebraska charges against him resulted in an additional $100 in fines, plus court costs.

Britney Edney also made a plea deal and was convicted of a misdemeanor Lacey Act violation. She was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution and court costs. Her three-year probation includes a ban on hunting, fishing or trapping. She also was charged in Nebraska for hunting without permits and fined $100, plus court costs.

Guide and client Jay Myers of Alabama, client Matt Woods of Alabama, and client Greg Voliva of North Carolina were convicted of misdemeanor Lacey Act violations. Myers was ordered to pay $1,050 in fines, $4,000 in restitution, plus court costs. Woods was ordered to pay $525 in fines, $4,000 in restitution, plus court costs. Voliva was ordered to pay $525 in fines, $2,000 in restitution, plus court costs.

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