Michigan hunter intentionally sabotaged brother's hunting stands with deer repellent
A Michigan hunter intentionally sabotaged his brother by spraying deer repellent around his hunting stands. The man confessed to tampering and harassment, and was found to have been illegally hunting using bait.
Hunting season is over forever for a Michigan man who pleaded guilty to numerous wildlife crimes following an extensive investigation.
The poacher has lost his hunting privileges for life and will spend three months in jail after illegally harvesting endangered gray wolves and protected bald eagles, among other species.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Wednesday that Kurt Johnston Duncan had been sentenced under a plea agreement after pleading guilty to seven poaching crimes in September. He pleaded guilty to three counts of the illegal take for the possession of wolves, three counts of the illegal take for the possession of bald eagles and one count of illegal commercialization of a protected species (wolf).
A Michigan poacher has lost his hunting privileges for life after illegally harvesting endangered gray wolves, among other species. (iStock)
IDAHO FISH AND GAME USING LIFELIKE DECOYS TO CATCH ILLEGAL HUNTERS
The 56-year-old Pickford man was linked to 125 wildlife misdemeanors over an 18-month period, having committed numerous wildlife crimes against wolves, bald eagles, deer, turkey and bobcat, according to a months-long investigation by conservation officers of the DNR. The Detroit News reports that he killed 18 wolves and three bald eagles.
Kurt Johnston Duncan was linked to 125 wildlife misdemeanors over an 18-month period, having committed numerous wildlife crimes against bald eagles, among other species. (iStock)
In a May statement, DNR detectives said that Duncan was trapping the wild animals because he could, and was using the creatures for crafts and sales, or simply disposing of them.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Now, the poacher has been stripped of all hunting and trapping privileges in the Great Lake State for life, and cannot assist anyone else in these pursuits. Given the charge, he is also banned from hunting in the 48 member states of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Duncan been ordered to spend 90 days in jail with 18 to 24 months on probation, and pay $36,240 in fines: $27,000 for reimbursement for the illegally taken animals, and $9,240 for court fees and costs.
In addition, all items and evidence seized by the department during the execution of search warrants, such as firearms and snares, must be forfeited.
“This is a historical case for the division and department,” Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division, explained in a news release. “We hope this poaching case acts as a deterrent to criminals for committing future wildlife crimes such as this. Our officers did an excellent job working as a team and building this investigation so it could move quickly through the criminal justice system.”
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS' CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Anyone with information about natural resource crimes in Michigan is urged to call or text the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800.