Less than a day after the news broke that Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Commissioner Leonard Bentz, Jr., was under investigation for illegally hunting on baited land, it has been confirmed that Bentz was cited.
The commissioner told SuperTalk Mississippi News via email early Tuesday morning that conservation officers notified him that he had been issued a citation following the incident that took place Friday.
The confirmation came after sources told us that Bentz and at least one of his sons were among a group of hunters allegedly breaking a state law that says it’s illegal to hunt or trap any wild animal or wild bird with the aid of bait. According to the commissioner, conservation officers said the landowner and caretaker of the 500-acre plot in Holmes County had released crickets onto the property days before he and his crew arrived. Bentz maintains that he had no prior awareness that the bugs had been dispersed across the land in an attempt to attract turkeys.
“Under the law, even though I was told by officers that they knew I was not aware the crickets were on the property, I am in violation because I hunted the property where the crickets were placed,” Bentz wrote.
Bentz went on to say that he personally inspected the roads and feeders before the hunt began and that conservation officers on the scene exonerated him of any purposeful wrongdoing.
“Goes to show our law enforcement officers do not give favors regardless of positions or titles,” he continued. “I would like to apologize for putting our conservation officers in this unfortunate situation and I appreciate what they do to protect our resources. Integrity is not just spoken or written words, it is measured by actions taken.”
At the time of publication, MDWFP had not responded to a request for comment regarding the legitimacy of Bentz’s claim that officers admitted he had no knowledge he was violating the law.
The timing of the latest controversy for Bentz is not ideal as his reconfirmation is set to be taken up by the Senate prior to the chamber’s May 5 sine die. Sources in the capitol have said on the condition of anonymity that if Bentz does not resign, there is an effort already underway to block his reconfirmation.
Bentz previously served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 2004-06 before winning the post as public service commissioner for the state’s southern district. He held that position until 2013. In 2021, Gov. Tate Reeves appointed him to the MDWFP Commission before reappointing him in July 2023.
