WICHITA- Seven hunters in Kansas pleaded guilty in federal court and were sentenced Wednesday for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a media release the men admitted they violated the federal law protecting migratory birds when they participated in an annual opening weekend dove hunt in Graham County, Kan., on Sept. 1-2, 2013.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act classifies mourning doves as migratory game birds. It classifies owls as migratory non-game birds. Restrictions on hunting mourning doves include a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of three times the daily bag limit.

PLEAS
Defendants pleading and sentenced were:

Daniel R. Dinkel, 63, Hill City, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
Kent A. Webber, 52, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
Evan Webber, 25, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
Kenneth R. Beran, 67, Derby, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
Clark Law, 57, Hill City, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.
Tracy D. Higgins, 54, El Dorado, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, and one count of taking an owl.
John Kobler, 62, Topeka, Kan., one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves.

Another defendant, George Morgan, 52, Gordonville, Texas, who is charged with one count of exceeding the daily bag limit for mourning doves, is set for a change of plea hearing Nov. 24.

SENTENCES
*Dinkel, Kobler, Law and Beran were sentenced to a year on probation in which they are not allowed to hunt, fish or trap, a $2,000 fine, and $3,000 restitution to the state of Kansas.
*Kent Weber, Evan Weber and Higgins were sentenced to two years on probation in which they are not allowed to hunt, fish or trap, a $2,000 fine and $5,000 restitution.