Westbrook Duck Hunter Violated Migratory Bird Act: Feds

WESTBROOK, CT — A man was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine for violating the Migratory Bird Act by baiting ducks, according to a statement from prosecutors. David Foster, 51, pleaded guilty to the charge Aug. 2.

In late September and early October 2020, after receiving an anonymous complaint, the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel investigated the spreading of whole kernel corn around a hunting blind on Menunketesuck Island in Westbrook, according to prosecutors.

Foster had received a summons for waterfowl baiting/taking violations in the same area in October 2009. On Oct. 10, 2020, the opening day of duck hunting season, officers who had established surveillance near the duck blind observed Foster and two other hunters shoot and retrieve ducks over the area that had been baited.

When they finished, officers conducted a compliance check. Under questioning, Foster admitted that he had spread corn over the hunting area to attract ducks, according to prosecutors.