Woodrow pled guilty to the charge of placing bait for the purpose of hunting migratory game birds and was sentenced to a 12-month term of probation and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine. As a condititon of probation, Woodrow is not allowed to apply for or otherwise obtain a hunting license. Rose and Trainor pled guilty to the charge of hunting migratory game birds over a baited area and were sentenced to a 6-month term of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine. As a condititon of probation, Rose and Trainor are not allowed to apply for or otherwise obtain a hunting license.

The sentences come as a result of a 2002 investigation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State investigators, responding to complaints from citizens in White County, Illinois, learned that cracked corn was being used as bait during the annual dove hunt at Woodrow Farms in Enfield. The corn was spread on a section of the property in a strip approximately three feet wide by 30 yards long. Woodrow later admitted to placing the corn on the property. Rose and Trainor admitted to hunting on what they should have known to be a baited area.

The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits the direct or indirect placement, scattering or other distribution of salt, grain, or other feed to lure or attract migratory game birds to any area where hunters are attempting to take them. Violation of the baiting provision of the MBTA is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to a 12-month term of imprisonment and a $100,000 fine. It is also unlawful to hunt migratory game birds on or over any area where grain has been distributed in a manner inconsistent with normal farming practices. Hunting over a baited field is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to a 6-month term of imprisonment and a $15,000 fine. Hunters are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the area they choose to hunt to determine if seeds are present or if migratory birds in the area are feeding in a particular place in unusual concentrations and display a lack of caution.