DNR Busts Deer Poaching Ring

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DNR Busts Alleged Trophy Deer Poaching Ring 13 Men Cited, Face Fines Up To $7,000
POSTED: 4:12 pm CDT April 7, 2005 UPDATED: 12:57 pm CDT April 8, 2005
For the second time in a month, [url "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/"]DNR[/url] conservation wardens have infiltrated and shut down a large poaching ring.
Video [url "http://www.channel3000.com/news/4357598/detail.html#"] [/url][url "http://www.channel3000.com/news/4357598/detail.html#"]Poaching Bust[/url]


[url "http://www.channel3000.com/news/4357598/detail.html#"]Slideshow: See Trophy Kills[/url]

This time, the target was trophy bucks. The deer were shined and shot at night in five different counties, officials said.
The state investigation started two-and-half years ago when residents in Sauk, Richland and Vernon counties started hearing gunfire at night.
Ten- and 12-point bucks were taken in the darkness off private land, officials said.
Some heads were found hanging in homes; others were still at a taxidermist, News 3 reported. Many animals were living in quality deer management areas, where property owners are involved in allowing bucks to grow.
Some of the violated land belongs to Madison residents who have weekend escapes.
Now, 13 men face fines from $440 to $7,000. Officials have issued more than 100 citations. Most of the accused live in Hillsboro or Wonewoc, News 3 reported. The suspects are: Walter Gnick, Kenneth Johnson, Jr., William Johnson, Jr., Jeffery Fry, Michael Johnson, Andrew Erickson, Matthew Erickson, Daniel Phillips, Justin Phillips, Adam Griffa, Kyle Phillips, Brogan Boldon, and Nathan Phillips.
"Each landowner views (the land) as their wildlife to take care of," said John Buss, of the DNR. "Like one landowner said to me, it's like their house being burglarized. He said, 'I know I don't own the deer, but I'm pretty provincial about my deer,' he said, 'and this is like my house being burglarized.'"
Last month, [url "http://www.channel3000.com/news/4267400/detail.html"]four Sauk County men, all family members, were cited for poaching[/url]. In that case, trophy bucks were not the target. Instead the target was any deer, News 3 reported.
Once again, wardens said it's extremely fortunate no people were hit with gunfire as deer were shined and shot in the dark of night.
Wardens told News 3 they are unsure if such rings are on the rise, but if they are they're confident land owners and other citizens will continue to act as the investigators eyes and ears.
Previous Stories: [ul] [li]March 9, 2005: [url "http://www.channel3000.com/news/4267400/detail.html"]DNR Busts Massive Deer Poaching Operation[/url] [/li][/ul]
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