U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced today that five hunters, including Andrae D'Acquisto - known for DVDs and appearances on the TV show "Whitetail Addictions" – and his son Cody D'Aquisito, entered into a plea agreement in a Menard County courtroom relating to baiting charges filed in 2009.
The DNR and USFWS investigation documented that the Menard County property hunted by Andrae D'Acquisto, 49, and his associates had been unlawfully baited during the 2009 archery deer season. In the plea agreement, both subjects pled guilty to hunting without a valid Illinois license and habitat stamp and each was fined a total of $2,068. The remaining charges, including hunting deer by the aid of bait, contribute to unlawful baiting and making salt and mineral available for deer were dismissed.
Andrae D'Acquisto, a self-admitted whitetail addict, is best known for killing trophy deer on his commercial DVD's as well as on the television program "Whitetail Addictions" produced by Lone Wolf Productions.
Ashley D'Acquisto, 24, of St. Francis, Wisconsin also pled guilty to hunting deer without a valid Illinois habitat stamp and was fined a total of $205.00. All remaining charges were dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement.
In September 2010, two Tennessee hunters associated with Andrae D'Acquisto pled guilty to making salt or mineral available for deer on the Menard County property in 2009. Danny L. Gibson, 47, of Anderson, TN and Dewayne H. Gibson, 41, of Caryville, TN were each fined $205.00 for the baiting violations. The remaining charges were dismissed.
In 2005, Andrae D'Acquisto was cited for fraudulently obtaining Illinois resident hunting licenses, resident deer permits and providing false information to obtain an Illinois driver's license in Cass County. D'Acquisto ultimately pled guilty to an amended charge of obstructing a peace officer and was fined a total of $2,000 in Cass County.