Hunting show TV host faces federal poaching charges

Clark Dixon a host of the Sportsman Channel television show “The Syndicate” is facing federal poaching charges. U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler announced the indictments Monday against Dixon, nine other individuals and two production companies. The charges cover a number of years and dozens of animals.

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U.S. Attorney, Karen Loeffler began her press conference Monday by setting the allegations in a financial picture, saying hunting in Alaska draws in billions of dollars in hunting and associated activities. She says several federal agencies, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service cooperated in a multi-year investigation leading to Monday’s indictments. Topping the list of ten individuals Loeffler accused of poaching Monday was Clark Dixon who she says was illegally operating out of the Noatak National preserve, Northeast of Kotzebue.

“Clark Dixon operated an illegal hunting camp,” Loeffler says. “He was not a resident and he was not a licensed guide. Charges show five documented illegal take of wildlife involving over two dozen big game animals.”

Loeffler alleges Dixon falsely claimed to be an Alaska resident and took animals, including a grizzly bear, on same-day airborne hunts for a fee. Along with the poaching violations, Dixon and others are charged with broadcasting video of several of the hunts on the Sportsman Network show “The Syndicate,” without obtaining commercial operation permit. Two productions companies associated with the show were also issued citations in the case.

The morning after charges were filed, management of “The Syndiate” TV program said Dixon and another colleague had been terminated.

Clark Dixon, host of the Sportsman Channel television show “The Syndicate,” faces federal poaching charges. Photo: screen grab from "The Syndicate" Facebook page.
Clark Dixon, host of the Sportsman Channel television show “The Syndicate,” faces federal poaching charges. Photo: screen grab from “The Syndicate” Facebook page.
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