BOZEMAN, Mont. — A 36-year-old Alaska fishing guide has pleaded no contest to felony charges he hunted illegally in Montana.
Michael P. Duby entered his pleas in District Court on Monday and is set for sentencing in September.
Duby, his 62-year-old father, Michael W. Duby of Arizona, and a friend, 42-year-old Jeffrey C. Fritz of Washington, were charged with numerous counts of poaching after an investigation revealed that between 2004 and 2009 the men illegally killed numerous large game animals in Gallatin County. The elder Duby and Fritz have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in the case.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the younger Duby — who runs a fishing charter business out of Juneau — pleaded no contest to illegally taking three whitetail deer in 2004, three deer and two antelope in 2005, four deer and seven antelope in 2006 and one deer and nine antelope in 2007.
Empire records reveal the younger Duby pleaded no contest in 2003 to charges of taking a brown bear in a closed area, hunting for brown bear without a guide, unsworn falsification, unlawful possession of a black bear, and false statements on three license applications. In 1999, he took a black bear under a false resident license.
The Chronicle also reports Duby asked for his sentencing to be conducted via video conference because an in-person sentencing would interfere with his seasonal work as a fishing guide in Alaska. The judge in the case denied that request, but did agree to postpone sentencing until Sept. 26.
“I’m not looking at this in terms of his interests but for all those other people who have plans,” the Chronicle reports Judge Mike Salvagni said.
The plea agreement suggests a sentence of 20 years probation, $15,500 in fines and restitution and a prohibition against Duby’s ever hunting again, the Chronicle reports.
Comments (13)
Add commentRemove his license:
I suggest he be striped of his ability to guide.
Can't stand people like this.
Book em Dano! And swat em
Book em Dano! And swat em hard!
I've known Mike for a couple
I've known Mike for a couple of years. Man, these are definitely some bad decisions, and Juneau is a very unforgiving place to live when you're involved in something like this. He's always been a nice guy to me and all the people we mutually associate with. I hope he pulls through this and turns things around.
stay in montana
Why would we let this dork fish up here another year. Stay out of our state please.
turns things around?
Sorry, akbrdguru - it sounds VERY much like this guy is a long-time, habitual criminal, mis-using resources that belong to us all. It's not like he's some kid on his first offence, he's 36 years old for crying out loud. It's simply not that difficult to play by the rules and get more than enough fish and game for personal use. It's EXACTLY the same as if he worked in a bank, and was stealing money.
I'm shocked that he will be allowed to break the law (just guessing the fishing also isn't entirely on the up and up...) for another summer.
Throw the book at him - no more fishing, hunting, or chartering.
Disgusting
He obviously has no regard for the law, no ethics, and a tremendous amount of arrogance. So OF COURSE we'll delay the hearing!
I'm glad I don't live in
I'm glad I don't live in swimmer's inner circle, where there is never an opportunity for redemption. the guy made some bad decisions. Did his decision effect you in any way? I doubt it. The same as stealing money from a bank? That's a stretch. Granted, he broke the law, but he killed some game animals when he wasn't allowed. He didn't take any money out of anyone's pockets. Heck, had this not been in the paper, what he did would not have affected your life one iota, and likely not anybody else.
I'm not saying he should get away with what he did. He knows what he did was wrong and I certainly believe he knew it was wrong when he did it. But I don't think he should be tossed in the burn pile.
Money vs. Life
It's telling that some people here think stealing money is a bigger issue than killing animals you don't need to kill.
I'd suggest that the addicts
I'd suggest that the addicts that are constantly breaking into vehicles, homes and businesses have a much greater impact on society than some guy that killed a few antelope. I'm not saying that taking game illegally is right, but you will never convince me that this crime has the same impact on society as the guy who robbed El Sombrero or the guy the broke into Western Auto.
Break the Cycle...
You talk to Mike and he is very well mannered, more polite than most. He is not stupid. He is not even a 'bad' guy. It is just that he has a problem, he is addicted to the thrill of recreational killing. The problem has been made much worse because Mike has been positively reinforced with Cash - making a living - for the killing behavior. The judge in this case has misjudged the situation; he thinks Mike runs a typical charter operation where a lot of people book trips in advance. Mike's clients, unfortunately - are usually bored cruise ship clients getting off the boats looking for a cheap thrill of killing wildlife as well. As long as Mike Duby can continue to kill and place money in his pocket for doing it, he will continue this behavior. He has already proven that he will continue to do that. If he breaks the law over and over and never gets negative reinforcement for doing it he will have no motivation once so ever for stopping it. Probation in this case is not appropriate in my opinion; he is not even close to a first time offender. In my opinion, he needs to be prevented from profit from the killing of wildlife. To stop this behavior, somebody must break the cycle of killing for profit. Mike Duby is out of control.
Well said ...
Well said Spoorprint! You said it perfectly - thanks!