poaching – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Domestic violence call leads to multiple deer-poaching charges

A Michigan man previously convicted of illegally killing white-tailed deer faces 15 new charges after the discovery of nine poached bucks in a Decatur barn.

Police responding to a domestic violence complaint on Oct. 17 spotted the deer and tipped off the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR determined that the deer belonged to Justin Ernst, 33, a convicted felon who is suspected of killing the deer while scouting from his truck and illegally shooting the bucks with the aid of a spotlight.

DNR Conservation Officers Matt Page and Tyler Cole seized eight trophy bucks on Oct. 17. Two days later, a day after Ernst was arrested following the domestic violence complaint, Page discovered another freshly dead buck in the barn.

The homeowner allowed Page and Cole to conduct searches on both dates.

Antlers seized as evidence. Photo: Michigan DNR

On Oct. 20, Conservation Officers executed a search warrant and discovered two shotguns and a crossbow, and a bloody crossbow bolt from the bed of Ernst’s truck. Officers also found a handheld spotlight under the driver’s seat.

Ernst, who was arranged Nov. 9 in 7th District Court in Paw Paw, could be ordered to pay $59,500 in restitution. His next court appearance is Dec. 20.

In 2018, Ernst was convicted of illegally harvesting and possessing white-tailed deer. His felony record includes possession of methamphetamine, fleeing a police officer, and a third strike for driving under the influence of alcohol.

White-tailed deer. Photo: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Lt. Gerald Thayer of the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division stated in a Thursday news release:

“It’s a shame that this criminal ruined the chance for ethical, legal hunters to have their opportunity to take one of these trophy deer. Not only did this felon steal from the natural resource, he also damaged agriculture crops, and has been doing so for some time.”

Among the charges against Ernst are two counts of firearm possession by a felon; two felony firearms violations; hunting with a revoked license, and nine counts of illegal deer harvest.

The nine bucks included five with 10 antler points, a nine-pointer, and three eight-pointers.

After shooting decoy, charges pile up for suspected deer poachers

Three individuals were arrested in Massachusetts recently after officers observed one of them shooting a deer decoy from inside a vehicle after legal hunting hours on private property.

Three individuals were arrested in Massachusetts after officers observed one of them shooting a deer decoy from inside a vehicle after legal hunting hours on private property.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police stated in a news release that officers on patrol in the Templeton/Phillipston area saw a vehicle spotlight illuminating the woods before one of the individuals shot the decoy with a crossbow.

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“Realizing it was a decoy, the vehicle attempted to flee but was subsequently stopped by Officers,” MEP said of the Nov. 11 incident. “Officers then observed deer legs within the truck bed in plain view.

“Three individuals in the vehicle, including the operator, were arrested. Through the interview process, it was reported that additional deer had been taken illegally.”

Officers seized the crossbow as evidence and impounded the vehicle.

The individuals were arraigned Monday on charges that include firing of a crossbow within 150 feet of a road; illegal hunting with a crossbow; hunting with the aid of a vehicle; hunting with artificial light; hunting after hours; tagging violations, and hunting on public land without permits.

Massachusetts Environmental Police added that additional charges stemming from violations in another state “are forthcoming.”

–White-tailed deer image is generic

Florida men jailed after illegal lobster stash found on boat

Three commercial fishermen were arrested Saturday after authorities in the Florida Keys discovered more than 100 undersized lobster tails stashed in their vessel.

Three commercial fishermen were arrested Saturday after authorities in the Florida Keys discovered more than 100 undersized lobster tails stashed aboard their vessel.

The bust occurred as the men began to offload their catch to a buyer, who also was cited.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated Tuesday that a search of the vessel ensued after officers spotted eight undersize lobsters during the offloading process.

Below deck, in a five-gallon bucket, were 129 wrung spiny Florida lobster tails, including 127 from undersize lobsters.

The buyer, on land, was found in possession of four undersize mangrove snapper and two live Queen Conch.

WSVN News identified the fishermen as Elmis Ruiz Recano, Blas Ismar Santos Pompa and Amaury Abreu Gonzalez.

They were jailed and charged with misdemeanor counts of possessing wrung spiny Florida lobster tails on the water, and possession of undersized lobster. Additionally, each was charged with a felony count of possession of 100-plus undersized spiny Florida lobster.

Suspected poacher likely killed by elephant in South African reserve

A suspected poacher appears to have been killed by an elephant in South Africa’s vast Kruger National Park.

The park announced via Twitter that the body of the suspect was discovered Thursday in the Stolznek district as a result of an “intelligence-driven” search.

“Initial investigations suspect that the deceased was killed by an elephant and left behind by his accomplices,” Kruger National Park stated. The park added that no animals had been killed in the area and that poaching of elephants for their ivory tusks will not be tolerated.

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“Criminals stand to lose their lives and freedom,” the park warned.

African elephants can weigh up to seven tons; their tusks can weigh more than 150 pounds apiece. The pachyderms are highly intelligent and this would not be the first instance of an elephant killing or injuring a poacher.

Kruger National Park, which spans more than 7,500 square miles, is home to more than 140 species of large mammals, including tusked elephants and rhinoceroses.

Deer decoys help nab poachers as Oregon’s hunting season begins

Oregon’s general buck deer-hunting season opened Saturday, and for law enforcement personnel that meant it was also open season on prospective poachers.

Oregon’s general buck deer-hunting season opened Saturday, and for law enforcement personnel that represented open season on prospective poachers.

Oregon State Police announced Wednesday that Fish & Wildlife Troopers deployed Wildlife Enforcement Decoys in rural Washington and Yamhill Counties over the weekend.

The deer decoys were placed within sight of roads at night, when hunting is illegal, and Troopers waited for the inevitable.

“On four occasions hunters stopped their vehicle in the public roadway and discharged firearms at the decoys,” OSP stated on Facebook. “The subjects were approximately 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 2 hours, and 3 hours outside of legal hunting hours.”

The state takes illegal hunting seriously, stating that “poaching is not only theft from the hunting community, but from Oregon.”

The subjects were cited for unlawful take of buck deer and their firearms were seized as evidence. They also face charges of hunting in prohibited areas – shooting deer from roads is illegal – and with the aid of artificial light.

The crimes are Class A misdemeanors, just below felony offenses. Punishments can include a three-year hunting-license suspension, forfeiture of evidence, court-mandated fines, loss of accrued preference points, restitution, and probation.

Additionally, under the Wildlife Violator Compact, hunters with suspended licenses cannot purchase licenses or tags in the 48 states that participate in the Compact.

“The Oregon State Police wants to educate hunters on the importance of lawful, ethical hunting,” OSP stated. “Rules developed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow for fair-chase hunting ensure a stable population of wildlife not only for future generations of hunters but for all people in the state to enjoy as well.”

–Deer decoy image courtesy of Oregon State Police

Woman fined $60,000 for feeding bears in ‘precedent-setting’ case

A resident of Whistler, Canada, has been fined $60,000 for attracting and feeding produce to bears throughout the summer of 2018.

A resident of Whistler, Canada, has been fined $60,000 for attracting and feeding bears throughout the 2018 summer.

The penalty levied against Zuzana Stevikova, who was sentenced last week in North Vancouver Provincial Court, is the highest imposed under the Wildlife Act in British Columbia.

Three bears that routinely visited the area were euthanized because they had become habituated as a result of illegal feeding and posed a safety threat.

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According to a Conservation Officer Services news release, the agency launched an investigation in July 2018 after receiving an anonymous tip. Weekly purchases by Stevikova included up to 10 cases of apples, 50 pounds of carrots and 15 cases of eggs, according to the COS.

Visiting black bears exhibited no fear of humans and had become so conditioned to non-natural food that they were deemed ineligible for rehabilitation or relocation.

“The primary concern of the COS is public safety,” COS Sgt. Simon Gravel stated in the news release. “Illegally feeding or placing attractants to lure dangerous wildlife, such as bears, is an extremely dangerous activity. Once bears learn to associate humans with food, it creates a public safety risk.”

Because of the substantial penalty – most of the $60,000 will benefit the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation – the case was described as “precedent setting.”

–Black bear images are generic

Poacher fishing in rowboat caught in the act by undercover officer

The man received several citations, but several online commenters said it wasn’t enough, suggesting what should’ve happened to the boat.

A man in a rowboat in Discovery Bay was caught fishing illegally and was cited for numerous violations by an undercover officer with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police.

This certainly pleased commenters on the WDFWP Facebook page where the news about the incident was reported—with the man’s actions drawing the public’s wrath—but several people made it known that the citations weren’t enough, saying his boat should have been confiscated.

Sgt. Kit Rosenberger was patrolling Discovery Bay within Marine Area 6 (connected to the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the Olympic Peninsula) when he observed the man fishing in a rowboat near the mouth of Snow Creek.

The surrounding streams only have wild runs of Coho salmon, so Rosenberger surmised that any salmon the man retained were likely wild Coho and thus illegal.

Rosenberger observed the man catch and keep four salmon in an area where the limit was two hatchery Coho.

Wearing a cover coat and carrying a fishing rod, Rosenberger hiked a distance to the beach near where the man was rowing toward some waterfront houses. When he was within earshot of the man, Rosenberger removed his coat, identified himself and ordered the man to shore. He asked him how fishing was. The man replied, “I got a couple.”

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“The man was found to have unlawfully retained five wild Coho, none of which were recorded on his catch card,” the WDFWP stated. “The man was using illegal fishing gear (barbed treble hook), and did not have any safety equipment in the vessel.

“The man will have charges referred against him in court for seven gross misdemeanors (over limit of salmon, salmon caught with illegal gear, retention of five wild salmon closed area), in addition he will be cited with five infractions for failing to record his salmon, and not having a lifejacket. Sgt. Rosenberger contemplated seizing the man’s boat even knowing he would have had to carry it a considerable distance back to his patrol truck.”

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Most commenters on Facebook praised Rosenberger for catching the poacher and voiced their disgust with the poacher, and several made it known that Rosenberger should have done more than issue citations.

“Nice job. But you should have taken his boat too,” one wrote.

“Nice job Kit! I would have helped you carry the rowboat,” another wrote.

“Should have taken the boat because I betcha he will be back at it this weekend,” another stated.

Other reactions were similar:

“Complete disregard for the law…should have seized everything.”

“Good job. Take their boat next time…and gear.”

“He could have called any of us for help carrying that rowboat! Great work.”

“This guy will more likely than not again be out in that boat to get more fish illegally–should have taken the boat and made the guy help carry it to your vehicle–no sympathy or empathy for the guy fishing at all–he was stealing fish–aka poaching–good job by the officer.”

Many also called for the justice system to level hefty fines and not just give a slap on the wrist.

Photo courtesy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police.

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Fishermen from Canada busted for crabbing in U.S. waters

Fishermen from Canada face criminal charges after they were found illegally fishing in U.S. waters and in possession of 260 Dungeness crabs.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police announced Monday that officers on night patrol near the U.S.-Canada border observed a vessel with crab pots on its deck operating without navigational lights.

The unnamed fishermen claimed their boat wouldn’t start and that a southerly drift carried them into U.S. waters. But the drift was northerly during the vessel inspection.

https://www.facebook.com/WDFWPolice/posts/4500176783373230

The crabs, 40 of them undersized, were seized as evidence.

The WDFW Police, which did not mention the day of the bust, stated in a news release:

“The suspects must have forgotten that they told officers that their engine was broken because they sped back to Canada as soon as the vessels parted ways. Multiple criminal charges will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.”

Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash

Police in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle.

Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle.

Miami residents Lazaro Rolando Martinez and Edward Franklin Mora, both 27, were jailed Sunday night after a Florida Keys traffic stop led to the unusual discovery.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Martinez was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, possession of Alprazolam without a prescription, possession of 38.5 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia and THC oil.

Martinez also was cited for possession of 23 undersized lobsters and 31 lobsters over the daily bag limit. A total of 37 lobsters were discovered in buckets in the back of the truck.

Mora was charged for possession of 114.8 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and THC oil.

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The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office described the bust in a news release:

“The case began at approximately 11:30 p.m. when Deputy Jorge Moreno stopped a northbound black Ford F-150 pickup truck on U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 86 after 911 Communications Specialists informed him the truck came back as not being registered and the tag that was attached as not being assigned to the truck. The truck was emitting a strong odor of marijuana.

“The driver, Martinez, handed another Deputy a mason jar of marijuana as well as THC oil vape pen. The front passenger, Mora, also produced a mason jar with marijuana. A search ensued and $3,590 in cash was found in Martinez’s possession. Additional marijuana and baggies were found inside the truck which Martinez and Mora each claimed ownership.”

Only six of the 37 lobsters were still alive. All 37 were “returned to the water.”

Minnesota bear poacher gets 15-month prison sentence

A Minnesota man was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison for wildlife trafficking and poaching a 700-pound black bear while trespassing on Indian land.

A Minnesota man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for wildlife trafficking and illegally killing a 700-pound black bear while trespassing on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

Brett James Stimac, 41, of Brainerd, was sentenced Wednesday in St. Paul by Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Stimac, who removed the bear’s head and left the carcass to rot, also was fined $9,500, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Court documents show that Stimac, on Sept. 1, 2019, trespassed onto the reservation and shot the bear near a trash dump with archery gear.

He returned the next day and captured an image showing himself posing with the carcass, which he shared via social media. (Click here to view the image.)

Stimac then removed the bear’s head, which he delivered to a taxidermist outside Brainerd.

Black bears have cultural significance to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Hunting by non-Indians is not permitted.

The investigation was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Red Lake Department of Public Safety, the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

–Black bear image atop this post is generic