WARDEN TALES – SNAIL MAIL LEADS TO ILLEGAL DEER

The Pennsylvania Game Commission Southwest Region recently announced details related to an incident involving the illegal taking of two 10-point antlered deer in Allegheny County.

Information can come to State Game Wardens from all angles. Personal contacts, through dispatch, social media, phone calls, and YES still written letters.

That was what started State Game Warden Evan McDaniel’s case this past archery season that led to two charges being filed on two separate hunters for illegally taking two 10-point deer.

Warden McDaniel followed up on a baiting TIP received in the letter which also stated that a nice 10-point deer had been shot over the bait, but not recovered in early archery season. Warden McDaniel dedicated himself to the investigation and finally caught someone hunting over the fresh bait on November 11, 2023.

SGW McDaniel’s investigation revealed that two different 10-points were shot over the baited area. One of which was shot when the hunter received a notification that the deer was in the area via a cell camera and then went to the area and shot the deer. This 10-point deer was harvested illegally over bait and illegally by using an electronic device.

Both hunters plead guilty to an illegal deer charge and unlawful method charges. Fines were set at $1,578.75 for the hunter who killed the 10-point. Fines were set at $1,238.50 for the hunter who attempted to kill and wounded the other 10-point. Both hunters have the possibility of multiple years of hunting license revocation.

Wildlife crimes affect everyone. Report wildlife crimes by calling the Operation Game Thief’s toll-free hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online here: https://bit.ly/3Pgwwhf