Poaching Updates: Shocking Cases, Busy Wardens, Trophy Takers

Poaching of game and fish is a real problem that keeps wildlife law enforcement personnel busy all across the country.

Here's a roundup of recent reports about people doing the wrong things in the woods and on the water.

(Note: Game and Fish publishes "Poaching Updates" occasionally on this website)

WYOMING

Fawn Among Animals Shot, Left to Die

Wyoming Game and Fish is investigating a case of several animals being left to waste earlier this month in the eastern part of the state.

According to a news release, at least three animals were shot, including a young fawn, all found on Highway 270 between Hartville and the Niobara County line.

Investigators believe the animals were shot between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.

If you have info, contact game wardens in Wheatland or Lusk. To report poaching in Wyoming, call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or 1-307-777-4330 for out-of-state calls.

Read more from Wyoming Game & Fish

TEXAS

Big Buck Allegedly Shot In Bow-Only County

Grayson County game wardens with Texas Parks & Wildlife were tipped off about a white-tailed deer that was shot with a firearm in an archery-only county in November 2016.

The wardens confronted the individual at his home and questioned him about the big buck. The subject eventually admitted he killed the deer with a pistol, after several shots, and then tagged the deer as being harvested in Fannin County.

The deer was seized and several citations were issued. The cases are pending.

The deer scored over 177 inches under the Boone & Crockett scoring system, netting a civil restitution value of over $10,000.

Read more from Texas Game Wardens

GEORGIA

Peach State Officers Busy Busting Illegal Hunting

Georgia DNR Law Enforcement shared on its Facebook page info and photos on recent poaching incidents:

• Corporals Eric Sanders and Eddie Tompkins, along with Ranger Chris Hall, seized at least four bucks and two antler racks from incidents in Metro Atlanta. The deer were killed illegally, either by hunting out of season, without permission or without a hunting license. The deer were seized and donated to needy families. Report a poacher by calling the Georgia DNR Ranger Hotline at 800-241-4113.
• RFC Tim Butler busted five people who had killed several geese and teal over a baited area, which is against state and federal law. Also, RFC Jason Miller encountered four people who had killed six wood ducks during the early teal season (when wood duck hunting is illegal). Charges were filed against the alleged poachers, and the seized birds were donated. Click here to see state regs on waterfowling.

U.S.

8 Historically Big Poaching Cases

Let's be clear. Most hunters are law-abiding, passionate and ethical when they hit the woods to hunt. Very few are poachers, and sometimes an honest mistake can lead to a violation.

Then there are the criminal sorts, who get caught with shockingly large quantities of illegal kills.

Check out the post link below from Peterson's Hunting, a family member of Game & Fish Magazines in the Outdoor Sportsman Group, on some of the biggest poaching cases ever. The story is a bit dated (2011), but the images are jaw-dropping.

8 Biggest Poaching Cases in U.S. History