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Published Thursday, August 25, 2011 in Local
Former Newnan resident sentenced for killing endangered panther
By News Staff
The Newnan Times-Herald
David Adams, 60, formerly of Newnan, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, after pleading guilty to the unlawful killing of a Florida panther -- a species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
"Today's sentencing affirms our commitment to investigate violations of the federal wildlife laws intended to protect our nation's most imperiled species," said Luis J. Santiago, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement.
Adams was sentenced to two years probation, with a special condition of probation that he may not hunt or obtain a hunting license anywhere in the United States during the period of probation. In addition, he was sentenced to pay a fine of $2,000.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on Nov. 16, 2008, Adams shot and killed a cougar known as a Florida panther while deer hunting in Troup County, south of Coweta County. At the time of the shooting, Adams knew he was shooting at a species of cougar, for which there was no open hunting season in Georgia, officials said.
The Florida panther has been listed as an endangered species since March 11, 1967. The Puma concolor coryi -- the scientific name for the Florida panther -- is a sub-species of the Puma concolor, which is known by many names, including cougar, puma, catamount and mountain lion.
The Endangered Species Act prohibits the "take" of an endangered species. As defined within the Endangered Species Act, "take" means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The maximum penalties for criminal violations of the Endangered Species Act can result in imprisonment of up to one year, and/or up to $100,000 in fines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission have worked for years to bring the Florida panther back from the edge of extinction. The population has been growing since its low point in the late 1980s of less than 30 panthers in the wild. There are more than 100-160 adults today. Genetic testing showed this panther was an offspring of panther FP137 (South Florida).
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Law Enforcement Rangers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about their work, visit www.fws.gov/southeast
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I think if he were truly a "hunter", he would have marvelled at his great fortune to be able to spy such a rare and beautiful part of the fauna of the southeastern United States, maybe tried to get a photo, and then thought about what he had been able to witness as he continued looking for his deer. So sad, and yet, we have the same thing happening in the southern plains state of Kansas, and in Missouri too, heartbreaking. "I saw it, so I shot it." Not true outdoorsmen at all.
Posted by Mary Lou at 7:59 PM
The punishment imposed was not harsh enough. He should have his hunting license taken away forever (whatever state he moves too) and given a much stiffer fine. $2,000 is just not enough for what this jerk did.
Posted by Mari at 6:11 PM
A true hunter in today's day and age is a steward of the environment and wildlife. Referring to this guy as a "hunter" is an insult to the 100's of thousands of law abiding "hunters" across the nation.
Posted by Jerry Gish at 6:08 PM
If you see a panther, you are fortunate. If it sees you, it will flee. This criminal should be banned from hunting for 5-10 yrs. Fine should be > $10000. I am a hunter.
Posted by Dan at 3:50 PM
I guess you are a vegetarian?
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 3:06 PM
I did read your post. Funny Clint Eastwood a avid golfer doesn't think golf is a sport. I mean swing at a little ball then go find it a few hundreds somewhere else and hit it again.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 3:04 PM
if it was walking around my tree wating on me it would be dead two. if it had came up in your back yard what would you do.
Posted by newnan boy at 2:25 PM
YOu are correct.
Posted by Joe Cool at 11:31 AM
GA is full of rednecks! He should get prison time, and a large fine.
Posted by Yankee at 2:45 AM
Is that all he got - my guess he was too stupid to know it was endangered. I am not against hunting, but come on people we have guidelines and laws to protect all.
Posted by AM at 12:47 AM
If you read my post (if ya can read) I support the 2nd amendment. Not just shooting animals with a high powered weapon and a scope to zoom in (like a computer) I'm going to go play golf no that's a sport ! But you've got to have a collar on your shirt.
Posted by Mr. Right at 12:45 AM
if I can cover everything. 1) If I was in a stand and a Cougar was walking around the base of the tree and looking up at me, I'd probably shoot it too. Big cats can climb trees, I wouldn't even ask if he was from FL. 2) To Mr, Right, "computer scope? really? Stop watching TV. 3) Responsible hunting is needed to keep the deer population down. With all the growth around here, deer are being forced to live around populated areas. Would you rather a hunter shoot them or would you rather hit them with your car?
Posted by Coweta Native at 10:47 PM
More Bald Eagles are killed each year by these worthless windmills that are supposed to be the power of the future. If I kill an eagle, I go to jail pronto. If the Dept. of Energy kills several hundred a year, nothing is said. It's Obama's policy. By the way.....how many megawatts of electricity has the DOE produced in your lifetime? Answer...NOT ONE MEGAWATT! If one is a Democrat and believes Obama and Al Gore are the earth's custodians, then we are doomed by them. One more question to ponder....how many diplomas has the Dept. of Education handed out? If I had no fingers, I could still count them on one hand.
Posted by Thomas at 9:37 PM
The Florida panther is a shy animal and is not known to hunt people. Please- this guy should be in jail. I agree completely with Mr. Sensibility. Very sad indeed.
Posted by Becki at 7:04 PM
I'm more afraid of the 2 legged panthers than I am of the 4 legged kind. He was licensed--he knew the rules--he got what he deserved.
Posted by coweta cur-mudgeon at 6:49 PM
With the economy the way that it is, did some of you ever think that maybe this is the way that some people eat. I mean it's no different than killing cows, pigs and chicken that we al eat every day.
Posted by Kristen at 6:26 PM
I'm sorry guns scare you.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 6:19 PM
Mr Adams is the one that called dnr and reported it. They did not believe him until they saw the picture, as dnr declared there are no cougars in Georgia.
It was believed to have been a "pet" that was turned loose, that had no fear of humans. This is why the hunter felt he was endangered after watching the animal pace around the tree for an hour until it was almost dark.
Posted by Get the facts at 6:10 PM
People have no regard for human life anymore let alone beautiful animals. This is not a sport it is cruelty plain and simple! Ridiculous people want to say it is to make themselves feel better but I would say they have no feelings or regard for life at all...I hope he gets what's coming to him.
Posted by !!! at 5:39 PM
He had a front page cover story in the LaGrange Daily News. The photo had him posed with the dead panther. He was PROUD of himself at the time, I think.
Posted by troupcountyresident at 4:05 PM
The hunter was sitting in a deer stand, and I could not find any article stating he was endangered in any way.
I know we want to assume the best in people but there are plenty of jerks out there.
Posted by Ataxia at 3:50 PM
This is so typical. There are "hunters" out there that think if it moves, it need killing. I have seen them bring in deer no larger than the family dog. I hope the panthers are coming back so there will be another predator besides the insurance companies wanting to kill all the deer and these "hunters" will have to compete for bambi.
Posted by Danny at 3:44 PM
I wonder how they consider this a sport? Get this a high powered rifle with a computer/scope, How could you miss? The hepless animal (s) don't have a chance. Try archery now that's skill, Or maybe it takes to much work.I'm all for the right to our fire-arms! But come on here Ms. Adams. Maybe he should spend some time with Michael Vick.
Let the Hillbilly games begin.
Posted by Mr. Right at 3:39 PM
I read many reports of this same story, desperate to learn WHY Adams did this. The sight of this magnificent cat lying dead in the bed of a truck made me sick so I wanted to know WHY he would kill such a creature. Only one story I found indicated that Adams claimed the big cat stopped at the tree he was sitting in (in a stand) and looked up at him. It was then that he felt "threatened" and shot the cat. As much as I do NOT like this, if his account is true, I think I would feel threatened, too. It's a sad shame all the way around. :(
Posted by Regular Reader at 3:24 PM
I don't hunt...So I probably just don't get it...but a few people I know that hunt will kill anything. Foxes...a pair of brothers was the last one I heard about....Pathetic. You don't have to go around killing everything you come across when you are hunting Deer.
Posted by Kirk N. Wilson at 3:23 PM
He didn't get turned in by a friend. He had pictures taken and published in the newspaper. Pretty arrogant. I'm pleased that he was punished and many of these comments are idiotic.
Posted by Hobbs at 3:16 PM
Fear seem to be the common theme among the comments, I fear it therefore I kill it. In the U.S. we are more likely to be killed by the following:
Alligators 12 deaths from 2000 – 2007
Bees
Deer - auto accidents
Lightning – 23 in Georgia
Spiders
Dogs
Bulls
Horses
Pneumonia
Homicide
Drunk drivers
To the person who said that Game and Fish should learn to keep the panthers in Florida…that has got to be one of the most ignorant comments I have ever read.
Posted by Ataxia at 2:50 PM
Why in the world did he tell anyone??? My guess is that a "friend" turned him in! Eventhough it wasn't "open" season, I am pretty sure he wouldn't have shot it if he'd known it was endangered, unless it was posing a threat to him.
Posted by Homeschoolingmom3 at 2:34 PM
As an avid hunter and backpacker, I am saddened that this animal was shot.
There is a certain mystique knowing that animals such as this exist and that I may be blessed with a chance encounter.
In reference to the comments about shooting it, that is just plain ignorant. There have been 23 human fatalities in the USA from mountain lions in the last 110 years, none of which were from Florida Panthers. I would be more concerned about a 2 legged critter endangering my family.
Obviously, if was actually threatening you, you are in your right to protect yourself, but, to just shoot it because it was in "our woods" is unwarranted.
There are an estimated 80-100 Florida Panthers left in this world.
Maybe, if Mr. Adams had reported it, it could have been trapped and relocated back to Florida where it belonged.
I, for one, wish the fine would have been more severe.
Regards,
Mr. Sensibility
Posted by Mr. Sensibility at 12:51 PM
Well if panthers are running loose in our woods, there won't be anything left TO hunt. If Florida is so worried about them, they need to figure out a way to keep them IN Florida, we have enough to worry about with the stupid coyotes here. Your pets aren't safe in a fenced yard anymore!
Posted by not amused at 12:47 PM
This article omitted information. Was this guy trophy hunting or protecting his life? People are more inportant than animals. It is also one thing for these cats to be 100 miles away from populations but intirely another matter for these cats to be in residential areas. I'll protect me and mine from these cats.
Posted by Bonnie Blue at 12:45 PM
Wow man gets 2 years probation and $2,000 dollar fine for killing an endangered animal. On the other hand Michael Vikk was sentenced to 23 months in Federal Prison and 3 years probation in addition to millions of dollars he lost due to fines and PETA
Posted by Endangered Panther vs Dog Fighting at 12:42 PM
Thanks troupcountyresident for your comment! Ignorance is why there is so much of this. Love the story's ending of a sentencing.
Posted by Knowlawsb4hunt at 12:28 PM
Would not want them in my woods.. I am not a hunter but sorry if we spotted one in our woods behind our house we would shoot it as well.. Have kids to think about..
Posted by don't want them at 12:12 PM
Don't know if he was out hunting for a panther lol but I bet if one was in our woods we'd probably shoot it!
Posted by Meow at 11:32 AM
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife people better hope that there aren't anymore of them cougars in coweta county. If so, and it crosses my path, I will also shoot it. Polar bears too! I am scared of both.
Posted by James Shelnutt at 10:55 AM
So glad that this did not go unpunished. It was so disheartening at the time to see that photo in the LaGrange Newspaper with his proudly showing his kill. I am not against hunting-but want hunters to act responsibly.
Posted by troupcountyresident at 10:50 AM
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abusing our power
9/8/2011
Link To This Comment
I am disgusted by this, I have lived in Colorado for over two years and have seen two big cats right on my property. The last thought would be to shoot the animal, even in a state where we allow a hunting season. I am 5'5" and approach the cat myself and made it leave. So for hunters to say they would shoot it to for being at the bottom of tree stand, you are just wimps with guns. Hence why you have a gun.
Posted by Dean at 12:33 PM