Conservation Officer Breaks Up Major Poaching Ring in St. Clair County

[Dv8oR]

Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

Agency: Natural Resources

February 28, 2007

Six suspects recently were charged with illegally taking deer and shining after a two and one-half month investigation by a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer into a poaching ring operating in St. Clair County in late 2006. The poachers may have illegally killed as many as 60 white-tailed deer in an area ranging from Port Huron to Capac.

Using a spotlight and powerful scope mounted on one of their .17 caliber hunting rifles, the suspects admitted to shooting at 75 to 100 deer in the area, killing as many as 60. Many of the deer were left unrecovered; while some were sold and others had only their choice steaks removed. The suspects admitted to also shooting at rabbits and domestic cats, and one admitted to shooting at a cow.

Four of the suspects pleaded guilty to the charges and paid fines. Two other cases are pending in St. Clair County Probate Court because the suspects were juveniles at the time of the incidents. The suspects ranged in age from 16 to 20.

The suspects who have been prosecuted will pay $3,000 each in restitution to the state for the unlawfully killed deer. They also had their firearms confiscated, lost their hunting privileges for three years and each must serve 300 hours of community service by attending hunter safety classes and meetings at area sportsmen's clubs.

Conservation Officer John Borkovich, assigned to St. Clair County, led the investigation and collected a significant amount of biological and ballistic evidence. Borkovich worked on a tip that one of the suspects played ice hockey for an area team, and often would stop by area ice arenas in search of a vehicle that matched the description given by a witness. Borkovich eventually located the vehicle while on patrol and stopped it, and contacted two of the suspects. The six suspects eventually provided the DNR with written confessions.

Citizens who witness or suspect conservation violations can call the DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. Information can be anonymously reported. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources

for current and future generations.

[CaptLevi]

It's a good thing they were caught. And a shame that they did it at all. Somehow a lot of young folks have lost respect for our outdoors and our hunting and fishing heritage. Hopefully they have learned their lesson.

Try to take the time to teach our youth about the importance of stewardship in the great outdoors. It's the tie that binds......

[Dv8oR]

Hunting and Fishing wouldn't be fun without the rules.....

It would just be called "killin"!

The young folk who lost respect for the outdoors were never taught it too begin with!

T