Two Virginia men sentenced for illegal hunting in Nebraska

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Two Virginia men will serve one year of probation and pay $20,000 each in fines and restitution for illegally shooting wildlife in Nebraska.

Prosecutors announced that 39-year-old Gregg Davis, of Ruckersville, Virginia, and 44-year-old Chadwick Graham, of Charlottesville, Virginia, were sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha.

Prosecutors say Davis unlawfully shot a white-tailed deer with a .308-caliber rifle prior to legal shooting hours in 2015, then killed the animal with a suppressed .17-caliber rifle. He then transported the trophy parts out of Nebraska for taxidermy services before placing it in his home.

Prosecutors say Graham illegally shot a white-tailed deer without a valid permit while parked on a roadway during non-hunting hours. He also used a prohibited, .308-caliber rifle and transported the trophy parts to his home.

Both men killed other deer and turkeys using illegal methods.

Davis and Graham were clients of Hidden Hills Outfitters in Broken Bow. The company’s owners, guides and clients have been accused of wildlife violations, and 21 defendants have pleaded guilty so far.