Florida Fish and Wildlife Nabs Turkey Poacher

During the course of several years, local FWC officers received tips and shared social media posts from legal hunters and concerned citizens about an individual who was suspected of frequently killing over the daily bag limit of turkeys and greatly exceeding the Florida spring season limit of two turkeys per person.

Ultimately, law enforcement caught up with the poacher, executing a search warrant on Sept. 20, 2022 at the man’s home in Taylor County and his hunting camp in Lafayette County. Two shotguns, a cell phone, 156 pairs of turkey feet/spurs, 155 turkey beards and 21 sets of deer antlers were seized as evidence during the searches.

As a result of the two-year statewide investigation, the FWC filed charges against Sidney Brent Hurst, 28, of Steinhatchee, Florida, for taking over the season bag limit of wild turkeys, taking over the season bag limit of deer, scheming to defraud, armed trespass, unlawful use of two-way communication device, and cheating.

The FWC Statewide Investigations section conducted an in-depth investigation to determine if the suspected poacher was illegally hunting or taking over the limit of wild turkeys. As a result, it was determined that during the 2020 hunting season, Hurst and his young son were killing more than their daily limit of turkeys, often up to five turkeys a day, totaling 15 to 20 turkeys during the entire season, according to the FWC. As a bonus to investigators, the suspect allegedly numbered his kills on social media each time he posted a harvested turkey.

FWC investigators worked closely with the Office of Statewide Prosecution during the investigation, including making the decision to extend the investigation to solidify and expand on the evidence mounting against this individual. Since the turkey poacher’s illegal activity occurred over numerous counties, investigators needed additional time to verify he had not received permission to hunt on various tracts of private property. In addition, sorting through mountains of digital evidence was a time-consuming investigative tool that provided FWC investigators with the proof needed for a successful arrest and conviction. Unfortunately, additional animals were killed while investigators moved forward with their enormous task of digital forensics that required finding and proving the location of each poaching violation. In addition, once a suspect is placed under arrest, they are granted a “speedy trial” that limits law enforcement officers from effectively sorting through evidence before trial in a timely manner.

During the 2021 Spring turkey season, the FWC executed search warrants on Hurst’s social media accounts and cell phone records, investigating his movements to corroborate and confirm the location and timing of each illegal activity.

Just as in the previous turkey season, Hurst and his son were alleged to exceed the season limit of two turkeys per season, killing more than 30 turkeys during the entire 2021 season, the FWC reported. Evidence also indicated Hurst and his son illegally harvested turkeys during the closed season.

Hurst allegedly committed armed trespass in multiple jurisdictions on both public and private property in Madison, Lafayette, Dixie, Highlands and Martin counties. The FWC was able to determine the location of each illegal harvest, and landowners were contacted by the FWC to determine if they had given permission to the individual. In one incident, FWC said Hurst illegally hunted on Water Management District lands that were closed to all public access.

During the end of the investigation, FWC reported Hurst was illegally hunting and trespassing on private property when he saw an FWC officer in the area. The poacher made a social media video on location bragging about officers not being able to catch him.

In total, during the spring turkey season of 2020 and 2021, law enforcement officials say Hurst killed 47 turkeys, while his son killed 10 turkeys. Additionally, the suspect did not stop at illegally harvesting wild turkeys. It was also confirmed that Hurst harvested more than the season bag limit for deer (five deer per person) during the 2020-21 deer season; officials said the poacher likely harvested a total of 20 white-tailed bucks during general gun season.

FWC Maj. Scott Lee, the agency’s North Central regional commander, was appreciative of the public voicing their concerns about the illegal hunter.

“If it hadn’t been for members of the public and hunters who saw something wrong and reported it, there’s a chance this individual could have continued abusing our state’s natural resources well into the future,” Lee said. “Our wildlife laws are in place to ensure resources exist for the enjoyment of future generations, and Hurst has shown nothing but disrespect to the land, the resource and law-abiding hunters.”

FWC investigators on the case were assisted by numerous FWC officers, along with law enforcement officers from partner agencies. The FWC’s pursuit of this wild turkey poacher over the span of a two-year investigation speaks to the dedication to the resource and drive to ensure wild turkeys in Florida are plentiful for future generations to enjoy.

The NWTF is grateful for the work each state’s conservation law enforcement division puts into protecting wild turkeys, as well as all our vital nature resources.

"The NWTF Florida State Chapter commends the FWC for their investigative efforts that led to the arrest of an egregious poacher," said Eddie Hatch, NWTF Florida State Chapter president. "The NWTF promotes responsible hunting and respect for the outdoors. Florida’s state hunting regulations are set to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources, and when people knowingly violate them, they go from being hunters to poachers. From increasing wild turkey habitat to apprehending poachers, the FWC is at the forefront of ensuring the continued conservation of all natural resources in our great state for generations to come. We are proud to partner with the agency."