By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Poachers disgust me.  They are not hunters but in essence are the worst of the anti-hunting community working to destroy the very wildlife the rest of us cherish.  Although some poachers kill for food (very few actually do so) most are in it for thrills and bragging rights.  But, with whom can these demented people share their sickness without fear of being turned in?  What follows is a recent case to be heard in Kent County.

One Edward Trout of Cedar Springs initially denied a history of offenses until he was presented with a series of text messages where he openly told people about his illegal activities. Trout initially denied everything until he was presented with a series of text messages where he openly told people about his illegal activities.  Since then, he has confessed to shooting and abandoning several deer but has pleaded not guilty to a five-count misdemeanor, including charges of the following:

• Two counts of hunting and fishing without a license (up to $250 in fines, per count)
• Taking game from a vehicle (up to $500 in fines)
• Taking, possessing deer out of season ($1,000 per deer)

*    Using illegal fishing devices (up to $1,000 in fines)

There are no “safe” bragging rights when these cheaters boast of their “accomplishments”.  These self-serving criminals with their perverted minds live in their own fantasy world without thinking how distasteful their actions are to others – others that cannot bear to hear, or as in this case, to read his irrational accounts.

Since late January, eight tipsters have contacted the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline (800-292-7800), reporting gunfire at night and deer carcasses located on or near properties in Nelson and Spencer townships.

In January, Conservation Officers Casey Varriale and Justin Ulberg began investigating the tips, often locating deer that appeared to have been shot from near the roadway.

By Feb. 13, officers investigated 13 deer that had been shot and abandoned in the two townships.

After hearing several news stories about the poaching, a concerned community member anonymously contacted the Report All Poaching hotline on Feb. 14. The tipster reported local rumors of Trout driving around over two to three nights, shooting deer from his vehicle.

Varriale interviewed Trout, who admitted to three instances of going out and shooting at deer, stating that he, “relieved frustration by driving around at night, listening to music and occasionally shooting his pistol into vacant fields from his pickup truck,” often while under the influence of alcohol and/or marijuana.

Trout originally faced three charges in connection to the deer; since failing to appear for his original court date on June 3, he accumulated two additional charges for illegally taking snapping turtles.

Snapping turtles?  On June 7, Varriale began investigating a new tip that Trout was spearing turtles at Pine Lake in Cedar Springs.

In Michigan, snapping turtles can be harvested from July 15-Sept. 15 using a trap or a hook and line. Spearing is not on the list of acceptable means of take.

The caller reported that Trout has been seen fishing late at night and leaving multiple lines unattended. Additionally, Trout has been seen spearing and leaving snapping turtles on the shore.

During the June investigation, Trout blamed family members for the unattended fishing lines, and stated he speared the snapping turtles because he feared for his children’s safety while they were fishing. Varriale located multiple speared turtles, including one with a spear still in it, among other evidence.

Trying to understand the rationale or motives of such a troubled individual may be an exercise in futility.  At the same time it’s good to know that one poacher will experience the distasteful medicine of justice.  If were up to me, I’d make it turtle soup from one of his trophies.