Wildlife Officers Demoted For Illegal Hunting

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says two Arkansas wildlife officers have been demoted for illegal hunting turkeys without a license in Tennessee. Game and Fish Director Scott Henderson said that Major Jerry D."Chuck" Woodson, assistant chief of enforcement for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Wade Spence were demoted. Spence, a six-year game and fish veteran, was named Wildlife Officer of the Year in 2003 by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The illegal hunting reportedly happened in April, but it wasn't reported until July 12. Woodson was demoted to a corporal, was given a field assignment in Logan County, and his pay was cut 8 percent. Spence was suspended without pay for 20 days and was put on probation for a year. No charges or citations have been filed; Henderson says the two were disciplined because the hunting violated the commission's ethical standards.