Ocala Post (Ocala News) – Sheriff Billy Woods and his wife caught baiting turkeys, FWC officer tried to cover it up

Originally published in 2023

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods and his wife were caught calling a turkey into a baited area during a hunting trip in Madison County.

The incident, which was intentionally covered up, took place in 2021. The incident was not leaked to the press until 2023 and Sheriff Woods was heard on camera stating that the only people who would know of the incident would be him and his wife.

Instead of immediately issuing the sheriff and his wife a $500 citation, the officer who arrested the sheriff, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agent Randy McDonald, took the matter to the FWC director , Sutton, before finally being told to issue a ticket to the sheriff. .

Generally, any other FWC officer would not hesitate to issue a citation to a civilian for calling a turkey into a baited area, which constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree and carries a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500, if convicted.

Woods received a mailed citation for $300 so he could avoid court and his wife received a warning.

The nearly two-hour ordeal was captured on body camera, however, nearly an hour of that body camera footage was missing from the FWC video when requested.

FWC verified that there was loose corn spread on the ground where Woods and his wife hunted.