"Something Bruin"

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http://www.thetribunepapers.com/2014/01/20/attention-sportsmen-in-wnc-and-north-georgia/

In 2009, Arnold (undercover alias “Chad Ryan”), and Davey Webb (alias Davey Williams), a wildlife agent from Georgia, visited a gun shop in Bryson City, N.C. According to the shop owner, they stated that they wanted to get involved in bear hunting and asked for recommendations of hunting guides in the area. However, according to subsequent reports, they were supposed to be infiltrating “known poaching circles”. The gun shop owner told them about some hunters he knew in Graham County, N.C. These agents hunted with men in Graham, Swain, Jackson, and Haywood from 2009-2012.

In late 2010 through 2011, under time constraints, and possibly due to not finding any illegal activity, Arnold and Webb resorted to various schemes to try to entice the hunters to break laws.

Additionally, state and federal agents employed “Gestapo-like” techniques in search and seizure of so-called “evidence”, including improper service of search-warrants.

Men in bullet-proof vests, with M-16 rifles came into homes where women were alone.

In one house, more than 20 agents with guns drawn, terrorized screaming toddlers and left them unsupervised while the parents were roughed up, searched, handcuffed, and taken outside the home. To this day, these children display post-traumatic stress symptoms.

 

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http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/12348-hunters-upset-about-something-bruin-tactics

But in reality, wildlife agents went on a fishing expedition, using entrapment and other underhanded tactics to trick hunters into violating wildlife rules, according to dozens of hunters who have come forward to protest the undercover operation.

Known as Operation Something Bruin, the undercover operation netted a several hundred charges against more than 80 hunters. A large number have since had their cases dismissed in court, however, due to lack of evidence.

Brent Thomas, a hunter from Northern Georgia, said he was goaded into trying to sell the gall bladder of a bear on the black market, which is illegal.

“I said, ‘Dude I don’t know what a bear gall bladder is,’” Thomas recalled.

 

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http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/3219

Operation Something Bruin is a four-year, multi-agency initiative that focused on poaching and other illegal activities involving bears and other wildlife primarily in North Carolina and Georgia.

Agencies included the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service.

For more information:

Georgia DNR news release and video.
OperationSomethingBruin.org
Turn in Poachers

 

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http://www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/12303-lots-of-problems-with-something-bruin

Chad Arnold and the N.C. Wildlife Commission were honored at the annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet, held in October at Embassy Suites RTP in Cary.

The fact that Arnold and the Commission were given such honors makes a mockery of the governor’s banquet and its purposes, as stated in a press release: “The ceremony recognizes those who have an unwavering commitment to conservation and an uncommon determination to safeguard the state’s natural resources. By publicizing and honoring these conservation leaders - young and old, professional and volunteer - the Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire everyone to take a more active role in protecting natural resources.”

Also from the press release: “I must acknowledge the teamwork behind Operation Something Bruin and recognize those who contributed to its success,” said Col. Dale Caveny, chief of the Division of Law Enforcement, who accepted on behalf of Arnold and the Wildlife Commission. “The cohesive efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service on the federal level; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at the state level, made this investigation work. Here at home, I have to thank North Carolina’s wildlife commissioners for their personal support and the entire Wildlife Commission, especially the Division of Wildlife Management, for their assistance. And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the sportsmen and public.”

 

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http://www.captainsjournal.com/2014/01/21/operation-something-bruin/

The moment they pointed weapons at people it left the category of mere corruption and became dangerous. The good folk of Western North Carolina don’t have the L.A. Times to which they can turn. They are doing the best they can do to bring attention to this outrageous abuse of power and authority.

I too call on Governor Pat McCrory to intervene and investigate these abuses and illegalities. This kind of thing will go on as long as we allow it to.

 

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News report from Feb 2013:

 

[BIKER13]

well dayum

 

[chucklenut]

when there isnt anything illegal going on, make some up!

 

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http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/indexID/9439/Default.aspx

Wildlife Federation Honors “Operation Something Bruin” and Wildlife Enforcement Officer
on Oct 15, 2013 09:53 AM • Views 1649

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 15, 2013) - A covert investigation and a wildlife officer working undercover garnered prestigious conservation honors for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
The N.C.Wildlife Federation named Sgt. Chad Arnold with the Commission’s Special Investigations Unit as Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year, while the Commission was named Natural Resources Agency of the Year for its participation in “Operation Something Bruin” - a multi-agency infiltration into bear poaching circles that led to multiple arrests in North Carolina and Georgia. Arnold played a major role during the 4-year undercover operation.
The honors came earlier this year at the annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet, held at Embassy Suites RTP, Cary. The ceremony recognizes those who have an unwavering commitment to conservation and an uncommon determination to safeguard the state’s natural resources. By publicizing and honoring these conservation leaders - young and old, professional and volunteer - the Wildlife Federation hopes to inspire everyone to take a more active role in protecting natural resources.
“I must acknowledge the teamwork behind Operation Something Bruin and recognize those who contributed to its success,” said Col. Dale Caveny, chief of the Division of Law Enforcement, who accepted on behalf of Arnold and the Wildlife Commission.“The cohesive efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service on the federal level; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at the state level, made this investigation work. Here at home, I have to thank North Carolina’s wildlife commissioners for their personal support and the entire Wildlife Commission, especially the Division of Wildlife Management, for their assistance. And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the sportsmen and public.”
In addition to honoring Arnold and the Wildlife Commission, the Wildlife Federation also named Wildlife Commission Chairman Jim Cogdell as Business Conservationist of the Year for his Fork Farm & Stables, in Norwood, which is a world-class working farm and equestrian center that balances crop production with native ecosystems, and manages acreage for wildlife. Fork Farm& Stables also provides hands-on learning for youth and sportsmen.
Also recognized was the Pitt County Wildlife Club, of Greenville, as the Hunter Safety Education Organization of the Year. This organization has 19 active hunter safety instructors and three master instructors - all working with the Commission’s Hunter Education Program.
“Volunteer instructors are the core of hunter education and hunting safety,” said Travis Casper, the Hunter Education Program coordinator. “Groups like the Pitt County Wildlife Club provide needed volunteers; along with the support those volunteers need to get this important work done.”

N.C. Wildlife Federation Chair Carol Buie-Jackson alongside the Commission's Col. Dale Caveny and Chief Deputy Director Mallory Martin.

Media Contact: Geoff Cantrell
919-707-0186
geoff.cantrell@ncwildlife.org

 

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http://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=3532

Ten defendants were sentenced on Monday, June 10, in U.S. District Court in Bryson City for illegal hunting activities involving black bears and other wildlife and related offenses uncovered by “Operation Something Bruin,” an initiative involving agencies of the federal government and wildlife agencies in North Carolina and Georgia.

and ordered the defendant to pay a $10.00 assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and ordered to pay a $10.00 assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

He was sentenced to 30 days in prison, was ordered to pay a $10.00 assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee

He was also ordered to pay a $10.00 special assessment fee, a $25.00 administrative fee and restitution of $450.00 to the U.S. Forest Service.

He was sentenced to 15 days in prison and was ordered to pay a $10.00 special assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

He was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to surrender his hunting license.

He was sentenced to 15 days in prison and was ordered to pay a $10.00 special assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and was ordered to pay a $10.00 special assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

was ordered to pay a collateral of $1,500 for driving on a closed U.S. Forest Service Road.

On May 25, he was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $1,500.00. In addition, he was ordered to pay a $10.00 special assessment fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.

entered a plea of guilty to one count of illegal taking of a black bear and is awaiting sentencing.