Posted: 06.29.2010

The state's chief forester has been cited
for shooting a turkey out of season.
According to the citation, Paul DeLong shot a hen turkey in
Richland County on April 23.

Hunters can take only male and bearded turkeys during the spring
season. DeLong said he mistook a tuft of feathers on the bird for a
beard.

DNR Chief Warden Randy Stark says DeLong turned himself in.
Stark says a member of the public likely wouldn't have been cited
in such a situation, but he decided to cite DeLong because he was a
DNR employee and DeLong asked to be treated like any other agency
worker.

Court records show DeLong paid a $263.10 fine on June 10. DeLong
didn't immediately return messages.

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