Please don’t poach you must always respect wildlife and hunt legally. The following is a article pertaining to this topic.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Two South Carolina men pleaded guilty to poaching deer today and were fined $2,137, ordered to pay $24,000 in liquidated damages and forfeited more than $5,000 worth of equipment.  Liquidated damages in Iowa are based on the value of the deer racks.

Michael Sillanpaa, Jr., 38, of Summerville, S.C., and David Gordon, 38, of Goose Creek, S.C., were arrested for poaching deer after Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers executed a search warrant at 1 a.m., Nov. 10, at a Des Moines area hotel.  Officers also searched a local residence and their vehicle. The DNR seized two shotguns, two crossbows, a rifle and other equipment as well as the deer.

“We never would have known about this if it was not for a concerned citizen who picked up the phone and called in a tip,” said DNR Conservation Officer Brandon Bergquist.

Sillanpaa and Gordon came to Iowa in late October, bought a small game license and paid the habitat fee so, if questioned they would have a reason to be out in the woods. 

Officers immediately began surveillance of the men, even viewing them purchase a $1,060 crossbow from a local sporting goods store.  Officers followed as Sillanpaa and Gordon spent their time driving all day through Big Creek State Park and Springbrook State Park, until they found something they wanted to kill, said Conservation Officer Jeff Swearngin. 

The men killed both deer by shooting crossbows from their vehicle during the day then returned at night to cut off the head.  The men shot two buck deer; one scoring 148 and the other scoring 135. Game wardens in South Carolina seized three shoulder mounts and two sets of antlers from Iowa poached deer and shipped them back to Iowa.  According to South Carolina wardens, Sillanpaa has a history of poaching in South Carolina. 

“These guys were so good at poaching that without the tip, we would never have known about it,” Swearngin said.  They had been poaching deer in Iowa since at least 1998. 

Deer poaching is occurring all over Iowa from about middle October through January and is at epic levels, said Bergquist.  “Iowa’s trophy buck resource draws the best poachers from all over the country,” he said.  “Taking these guys out is nice, but there are hundreds more out there just like them.”

Swearngin and Bergquist were assisted by Iowa conservation officers Craig Lonneman, Craig Cutts, Allen Crouse, Jason Sandholt, Craig Roberg and Mike Ryan.  Federal Agent Justin Mayes also assisted with the case.

Article from myoutdoorstv.com