Baiting ducks
Upstate NY hunting guide, TV host pleads guilty to baiting waterfowl for clients
David Figura | dfigura@nyup.com By David Figura | dfigura@nyup.com
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on May 31, 2017 at 11:35 AM, updated May 31, 2017 at 2:34 PM
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A well-known, North Country outdoors guide and outdoors TV personality pleaded guilty in federal court in Syracuse Tuesday to two counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by guiding waterfowl hunts over baited ponds for profit on two separate occasions in October 2015.
William Saiff III, 53, of Henderson, agreed to a plea bargain, which included payment of a $5,000 fine, forteiture of any hunting or guiding privileges (other than fishing) until Jan. 1, 2019.
Saiff also agreed to make charitable donations totaling $10,000 to non-profit wildlife organizations of his choice.
He is due back in court July 21 for sentencing in the Syracuse court before United States Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks. He could face a maximum prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $100,000 per count.
Saiff is a professional hunting guide whose website advertises that for 18 years he "hosted the popular hunting and shooting sports program Cabin Country as seen on Public Television stations across the country." He is owner and operator of Bill Saiff Outdoors and Seaway Waterfowl Professionals.
In his written plea bargain, Saiff admitted that "on Oct. 27, 2015, he guided a hunting party over a baited pond in the Town of Cape Vincent, in Jefferson County. Saiff had previously installed an underwater trough at the pond to hold bait. As part of his guilty plea today Saiff admitted that prior to the hunt he stocked the trough with corn to attract waterfowl to the pond. Investigators found the hidden trough stocked with corn one day prior to the hunt. Before they were approached by investigators who stopped the hunt, Saiff's hunting party shot and killed several protected waterfowl," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
"Saiff also admitted that on October 31, 2015, he guided a hunting party over a baited pond in the Town of Rodman in Jefferson County. Saiff acknowledged that he placed approximately 50 pounds of corn along the shoreline of the pond less than ten days prior to that hunt. Saiff's hunting party killed several protected birds, including geese and ducks, before a law enforcement officer intervened and seized the dead waterfowl," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The case was investigated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state Department of Environmental Conservation. It was prosecuted by Asst. U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Saiff's Fishing Charters has been Lake Ontario's largest private charter operation for more than 30 years, according to his Facebook page. He also owns the Westview Lodge in Henderson Harbor, which features a hotel, restaurant and full service bar.
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Originally Posted by JBK
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