Ronnie Dunn

[JSBiskup]

I was just wondering if there is any truth to this.
 
Singer Dunn Testifies in Wildlife Case
       

       

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Country music star Ronnie Dunn testified that he killed a 12-point buck while hunting with an Indiana farmer on trial for allegedly violating wildlife laws.

Dunn, of the country duo Brooks & Dunn, said in court Tuesday that the trip to Russell G. Bellar's farm in fall 2002 was his first hunting experience.

Bellar pointed out the buck to him, said Dunn, who then used a rifle to kill the animal. Dunn said he never obtained a state deer hunting license.

"I was told (Bellar's Place) was a private facility and like a ranch," Dunn said. The singer said he hadn't been told by investigators that he had committed illegal acts.
       
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Dunn said Bellar asked his permission to include his image on a brochure promoting the deer farm some 60 miles south of South Bend.

Bellar has pleaded not guilty to 39 charges, including that he facilitated the illegal killing of wildlife. He is accused of violating the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits the interstate transport and sale of wildlife taken in violation of state laws. Indiana outlaws the sale of deer for hunting purposes and bans the use of bait, snares and certain weapons.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Schmid presented as evidence the mounted head of Dunn's buck as well as the nine-point head of a buck shot by Dunn's 17-year-old son.

Bellar's former property manager testified Monday that the farm owner charged hunters $4,000 to $20,000 per buck.