COLUMBUS, Ohio – Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to 14 counts in the illegal taking of an 18-point trophy white-tailed buck deer in Clinton County on Nov. 9, 2023. Alexander pleaded guilty to taking a second antlered buck during the 2023 hunting season, which is another violation of Ohio law according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
A nearly two-year investigation by the Pennsylvania Game Commission has led to the filing of 71 charges against three Chester County residents – a father and his two adult sons – who are accused of poaching dozens upon dozens of trophy bucks in Chester and Delaware counties.
Charged in the incident are:
Carroll Nelson IV, 44, of Downingtown, facing 11 charges including a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Carl Nelson III, 70, of West Chester, facing 35 charges, including a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Mark Nelson, 40, of West Chester, facing 25 charges, including a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
All three defendants are facing significant fines, court costs and restitution. They are also facing extensive hunting license revocation if convicted.
The Game Commission began investigating the case after receiving a tip concerning the unlawful taking of large whitetail bucks over a span of years. The charges filed involve deer that were taken out of season, at night and or over the limit of one buck per hunter per year.
Nearly 50 mounts and antler sets – most of them trophy class – were seized from the three, and this broad investigation remains open to determine whether additional people are involved. Read more
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is asking for help in finding the people responsible for killing a bull elk in Tizer Basin south of Helena.
The bull elk was killed and the antlers removed. The rest of the animal was left and wasted. The elk was killed using a firearm during archery season.
The crime happened during the nighttime hours of Sept. 14.
Tizer Basin is in hunting district 380, which is managed by FWP for older bulls and branch- antlered bulls. The hunting district can be hunted by permit only. It’s a permit that is one of the hardest to draw in the state. Read more
Safari Club International-Michigan Involvement Committee helps fund rewards for tips that lead to arrest and conviction
Michigan’s first 2024 elk hunt is underway for those who were selected in this summer’s elk license drawing. While the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wishes all hunters a safe, successful hunt, DNR law and wildlife officials encourage everyone to be alert to illegal hunting activity.
Once considered extinct in the state by the late 1800s, elk now are a protected and highly managed species in Michigan.
“Conservation officers rely on a collaborative relationship with the public to solve elk- and moose-related crimes, and we very much value those who report tips or suspicions of illegal elk or moose activity,” said Sgt. Mike Mshar, DNR Law Enforcement Division. Read more
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife announced that the fishing boat seized from Chase Cominsky, 37, of Hermitage, Pa., was sold through an online auction Tuesday. Cominsky and Jacob Runyan, 44, of Ashtabula, were convicted in May 2023 of felony cheating and misdemeanor animal ownership charges.
The forfeited boat, a 22-foot Ranger, was sold in an online auction that closed on Tuesday, July 23. The winning bid for the boat was $82,000 with a final price of $96,288.50 including fees and taxes. The boat was offered for sale with its motors and trailer.
With this money, the Division of Wildlife will purchase a new Lake Erie law enforcement patrol vessel for Ohio Wildlife Officers.
In 2022, the Division of Wildlife received a report of individuals cheating during a walleye fishing tournament in Cleveland. The resulting investigation seized a boat, motors, and trailer and penalties included a three-year fishing license revocation for both individuals. Read more
Nicholas Patnode, 19, and , 20, were arraigned Monday in Kalkaska County District Court in Kalkaska for multiple wildlife violations that took place throughout Kalkaska County during October-November 2022.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers began the complex investigation in 2022 after receiving a tip through the DNR Report All Poaching hotline.
Conservation officers discovered a group of individuals who had committed multiple wildlife crimes, including several counts of shooting deer from a motor vehicle, game-tagging violations and animal cruelty charges.
The Kalkaska men are believed to have illegally killed at least six deer, including a 9-point buck shot from the window of a truck. They are also accused of inhumanely killing a porcupine.
“When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far. These crimes need to be addressed,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Prosecution of these acts will hopefully deter not only these individuals but others from committing similar crimes in the future.”
Haines praised the work of his investigators.
“Our officers conducted a very thorough investigation to piece together many pieces of evidence from throughout the county,” he said.
Patnode’s 11 charges, include:
Two counts of killing, torturing animals, a third-degree felony punishable by up to four years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines.
Six counts of wildlife conservation violation – general violations. Each is a misdemeanor punishable of up to 90 days in jail per count and/or $500 each.
One count of hunting and fishing license violation – using another’s license, a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $250 in fines.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle; a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads. The offense is a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.
Garrett’s charges include:
One count of killing, torturing animals.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads.
Garrett and Patnode were arrested April 12 on felony charges; their bond was paid, and they were released the next day. They are due back in court on May 20. Read more
Nicholas Patnode, 19, and Zander Garrett, 20, were arraigned in Kalkaska County District Court in Kalkaska for multiple wildlife violations that took place throughout Kalkaska County during October–.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers began the complex investigation in 2022 after receiving a tip through the DNR Report All Poaching hotline.
Conservation officers discovered a group of individuals who had committed multiple wildlife crimes, including several counts of shooting deer from a motor vehicle, game-tagging violations and animal cruelty charges.
The Kalkaska men are believed to have illegally killed at least six deer, including a 9-point buck shot from the window of a truck. They are also accused of inhumanely killing a porcupine.
“When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far. These crimes need to be addressed,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Prosecution of these acts will hopefully deter not only these individuals but others from committing similar crimes in the future.”
Haines praised the work of his investigators.
“Our officers conducted a very thorough investigation to piece together many pieces of evidence from throughout the county,” he said.
Patnode’s 11 charges, include:
Two counts of killing, torturing animals, a third-degree felony punishable by up to four years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines.
Six counts of wildlife conservation violation – general violations. Each is a misdemeanor punishable of up to 90 days in jail per count and/or $500 each.
One count of hunting and fishing license violation – using another’s license, a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $250 in fines.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle; a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads. The offense is a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.
Garrett’s charges include:
One count of killing, torturing animals.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle.
One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads.
Garrett and Patnode were arrested on felony charges; their bond was paid, and they were released the next day. They are due back in court on .
A third man, who the DNR is not naming because of his age at the time the crime was committed, processed a plea agreement through the county’s juvenile court.
Anyone who witnesses a natural resource violation should immediately call or text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. Information can be left anonymously. Monetary rewards may be offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of violators.
iRayUSA, the United States Distributor of InfiRay Outdoor thermal optics, announces a special promotional offer running from April 2, 2024 through June 28th, 2024. Any customer who purchases a BOLT 640 (TH50CV2) during this time will receive a free Laser rangefinder unit at the time of purchase (from Authorized iRayUSA dealers). Read more
If you or someone you know has dreamed of a career among the ranks of the state’s conservation officers, listen up: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the training academy that starts in .
This job posting will close , at 11:59 p.m.
Conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who protect Michigan’s natural and historic resources through effective law enforcement and education. Patrolling every county of the state, they ensure people are safely and legally hunting, fishing and recreating. COs use off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats and other equipment to patrol rural and urban areas that include trails, forests and waterways. They also are first responders during natural disasters and other life-threatening situations.
“We are a highly trained agency with a diverse skill set that allows us to accomplish DNR Law Enforcement’s unique mission,” said acting Sgt. Kyle Bucholtz. “However, we are always looking to build on that, which begins with the next academy. We are constantly searching for proactive applicants who are willing to push themselves into unfamiliar territory and aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone. We have excellent instructors who will train recruits on the skills they need to be safe and successful.” Read more
Hoping to partake in the opening day of firearm deer hunting season, three men now face multiple charges after a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer located cocaine and illegal firearms in two separate vehicles, north of Atlanta in Montmorency County on Wednesday.
Sgt. Mike Mshar was patrolling on County Road 622, near Rouse Road, when he passed a slow-moving vehicle with a window down, occupied by two men wearing hunter orange.
The driver of the vehicle stopped to talk to Mshar, who noticed the passenger place something under his seat. Mshar asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle, and when he did, a bag of cocaine fell to the ground.
While Mshar was addressing the violation, a second vehicle arrived, driven by the father of the passenger in the first vehicle. CO Dan Liestenfeltz also arrived to assist.
Both officers suspected the father was driving under the influence of alcohol and asked him to complete field sobriety tests, which he failed. Concealed pistol license-certified, the man was also carrying a loaded pistol, which is illegal when intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
Officers obtained probable cause to search both vehicles and located additional cocaine (2 grams total) in the first vehicle, along with three rifles. A second pistol and rifle were found in the father’s vehicle.
All three men were arrested and lodged in the Alpena County Jail. Their arraignment is pending.
The men in the first vehicle each face two felony charges, one for possessing cocaine and one for possessing a firearm with illegal drugs.
The driver of the second vehicle faces two misdemeanor charges, operating while intoxicated and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
“This is a strong case that supports our mission to promote safe and fair hunting,” said DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Jason Haines. “These individuals posed an immediate safety risk to themselves and others who were on the road and in the woods enjoying opening day of deer season in northern Michigan.”
The DNR will not release names until all individuals have been arraigned. Read more
If you or someone you know has dreamed of a career among the ranks of the state’s conservation officers, listen up: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the training academy that starts i