Post by Woody Williams on Jan 18, 2007 13:17:37 GMT -5
Hunters say poachers 'give us a bad name'
By BEVIN PEPPARD
The Marion Star
Marion Wildlife Officer Bill Runnels displays a bloody baseball bat seized along with a high-powered rifle, several spotlights and 30 trophy deer heads and antlers as part of a poaching investigation that led to charges for five Marion men.
MARION -What makes for a good hunt? While local hunters say being able to mount a 10-point buck on their wall can be rewarding, there is so much more involved.
Most hunters put their trophies on the wall. It reminds them of the hunt," said Randy Caryer, a major with the Marion Police Department and also a hunting enthusiast who has traveled as far as Africa to hunt large game.
But he adds the reward is also found in having the right equipment, the time spent planning the outing and the thrill of the chase.
"A good hunt is being out, seeing lots of things, working hard."
Poachers, such as the group of Marion men suspected of operating a poaching ring that were charged Tuesday, give hunters a bad name, he said.
"A true hunter respects the animal," said Dave Ware, a resident of Morral who has been hunting deer for over 25 years. He said he is sickened by recent reports of poaching going on within the county. "I've talked to a number of the other (hunters) and we all hope they never get a hunting license again."
Five local residents - David McKinley, 20; Joshua Stone, 29; Dustin Freeman, 19; Robert Freeman, 42; and David Jones, 31 - face misdemeanor charges in Marion Municipal Court for over 100 wildlife violations.
They are suspected of using illegal means to take down over 30 prize bucks in Marion County and the surrounding area, as well as a number of raccoons, two turkeys and a beaver. Officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife say this is the largest case the county has ever seen and is in the top five largest cases in the state of Ohio.
"We get a lot of cases every year, but you generally don't see this number, this magnitude," said Bill Runnels, the wildlife officer assigned to Marion County. Runnels began investigating the alleged poaching ring after a number of anonymous tips were called into the Division of Wildlife. "They were right on the money. We started putting things together and things weren't adding up."
The men are accused of "spotlighting," an illegal practice of hunting at night using a large spotlight to illuminate nocturnal animals to make them easier to kill. In addition, they are accused of using a high-powered rifle that allowed the men to kill a deer from distances as much as 400 yards.
Officials believe the men were only after trophies and were not poaching for any monetary gain.
"They found some benefit in committing these criminal acts," said Mark Russell, Marion City Law Director, who is prosecuting the case. "We've prosecuted taking animals out of season, but nothing as extensive as this illegal activity."
Their actions affect more than just the animals, Runnels said.
"When you think about wildlife, who owns it? All the people of Ohio," he said. "They're there for you to enjoy. They stole that opportunity away from all of us."
Their actions also mean fewer deer out there for those who are legally hunting, hoping to find that buck of a lifetime, Ware said.
"I can't tell you the number of hours I've logged this year," he said. While he's had the opportunity to get several smaller bucks, he has been looking for that Ohio big buck that meets the 160-scoring requirement. Actions of poachers make it less likely he will reach his goal.
Caryer said that their actions also affect the future of deer hunting in the area as the bucks taken represent part of the deer population that has managed to survive a number of hunting seasons. With them gone, their genes are less likely to be passed on to future generations.
"These guys went after the best and the biggest they could find," Runnels said. "The quality of the deer indicated whether they were going to pull the trigger or not."
All five men are scheduled to appear in Marion Municipal Court for arraignment at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, according to Russell. At that time they will have to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the men are successfully prosecuted, they each face jail time and fines, as well as possible suspension of their hunting privileges.
Officials and hunters alike hope they learn a lesson.
"The other hunters are just sick by it," Ware said. "They hope it's not just a slap on the wrist."
Reporter Bevin Peppard; 740-375-5155 or bpeppard@nncogannett.com
By BEVIN PEPPARD
The Marion Star
Marion Wildlife Officer Bill Runnels displays a bloody baseball bat seized along with a high-powered rifle, several spotlights and 30 trophy deer heads and antlers as part of a poaching investigation that led to charges for five Marion men.
MARION -What makes for a good hunt? While local hunters say being able to mount a 10-point buck on their wall can be rewarding, there is so much more involved.
Most hunters put their trophies on the wall. It reminds them of the hunt," said Randy Caryer, a major with the Marion Police Department and also a hunting enthusiast who has traveled as far as Africa to hunt large game.
But he adds the reward is also found in having the right equipment, the time spent planning the outing and the thrill of the chase.
"A good hunt is being out, seeing lots of things, working hard."
Poachers, such as the group of Marion men suspected of operating a poaching ring that were charged Tuesday, give hunters a bad name, he said.
"A true hunter respects the animal," said Dave Ware, a resident of Morral who has been hunting deer for over 25 years. He said he is sickened by recent reports of poaching going on within the county. "I've talked to a number of the other (hunters) and we all hope they never get a hunting license again."
Five local residents - David McKinley, 20; Joshua Stone, 29; Dustin Freeman, 19; Robert Freeman, 42; and David Jones, 31 - face misdemeanor charges in Marion Municipal Court for over 100 wildlife violations.
They are suspected of using illegal means to take down over 30 prize bucks in Marion County and the surrounding area, as well as a number of raccoons, two turkeys and a beaver. Officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife say this is the largest case the county has ever seen and is in the top five largest cases in the state of Ohio.
"We get a lot of cases every year, but you generally don't see this number, this magnitude," said Bill Runnels, the wildlife officer assigned to Marion County. Runnels began investigating the alleged poaching ring after a number of anonymous tips were called into the Division of Wildlife. "They were right on the money. We started putting things together and things weren't adding up."
The men are accused of "spotlighting," an illegal practice of hunting at night using a large spotlight to illuminate nocturnal animals to make them easier to kill. In addition, they are accused of using a high-powered rifle that allowed the men to kill a deer from distances as much as 400 yards.
Officials believe the men were only after trophies and were not poaching for any monetary gain.
"They found some benefit in committing these criminal acts," said Mark Russell, Marion City Law Director, who is prosecuting the case. "We've prosecuted taking animals out of season, but nothing as extensive as this illegal activity."
Their actions affect more than just the animals, Runnels said.
"When you think about wildlife, who owns it? All the people of Ohio," he said. "They're there for you to enjoy. They stole that opportunity away from all of us."
Their actions also mean fewer deer out there for those who are legally hunting, hoping to find that buck of a lifetime, Ware said.
"I can't tell you the number of hours I've logged this year," he said. While he's had the opportunity to get several smaller bucks, he has been looking for that Ohio big buck that meets the 160-scoring requirement. Actions of poachers make it less likely he will reach his goal.
Caryer said that their actions also affect the future of deer hunting in the area as the bucks taken represent part of the deer population that has managed to survive a number of hunting seasons. With them gone, their genes are less likely to be passed on to future generations.
"These guys went after the best and the biggest they could find," Runnels said. "The quality of the deer indicated whether they were going to pull the trigger or not."
All five men are scheduled to appear in Marion Municipal Court for arraignment at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, according to Russell. At that time they will have to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the men are successfully prosecuted, they each face jail time and fines, as well as possible suspension of their hunting privileges.
Officials and hunters alike hope they learn a lesson.
"The other hunters are just sick by it," Ware said. "They hope it's not just a slap on the wrist."
Reporter Bevin Peppard; 740-375-5155 or bpeppard@nncogannett.com
Sickening!! Hope they throw the book at em. Doesn't sound like the penalties are gonna be stiff enough. 
