Nov. 21, 2017

Contact: Lt. Brandon Kieft, 989-275-5151

DNR conservation officers’ investigation results in convictions of Genesee County residents

Three family members sentenced for hunting violations in Oscoda County

Three members of a Genesee County family have been sentenced for deer hunting violations following a three-year investigation by Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

All three men live in Burton. The offenses occurred in Oscoda County from 2014 to 2016. Conservation officers wrapped up their investigation earlier this year after executing several search warrants in Genesee and Oscoda counties.

“There’s no place in Michigan’s rich hunting tradition for this type of illegal, unethical behavior,” said 1st Lt. Brandon Kieft, District 5 supervisor for the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This case should send a clear message that those who abuse our shared natural resources will be held accountable.”

Kieft commended Conservation Officer Casey Pullum, who led the investigation, and other officers who provided support, for their diligence and professionalism.

“This is an example of outstanding detective work by Conservation Officer Pullum and the rest of our team,” Kieft said. “They painstakingly followed each lead, using their skills and traditional field work to bring these violators to justice.”

Sentenced in Oscoda County’s 81st District Court were:

• Joseph Dykes, 33, who pleaded guilty to unlawfully using (borrowing or loaning) a hunting license, baiting, and taking deer without a license over the three-year period. Due to the extensive nature of the crimes, he was fined $14,220, of which $12,000 will be restitution to the state for the deer that were taken; sentenced to 45 days in jail or community service, and had his hunting license privileges revoked for this year and the next five years.
  
  
• Richard Raymond Dykes, 59, father of Joseph Dykes. Richard Dykes pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully using a hunting license. He paid $450 in fines and costs, was placed on probation for six months and had his hunting privileges revoked during his probation.
  
  
• Charles David Dykes, 58, uncle of Joseph Dykes. Charles Dykes pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully using a hunting license. He paid $450 in fines and costs, was placed on probation for six months and had his hunting privileges revoked during his probation.

During the investigation, conservation officers found that Joseph Dykes also poached a mule deer in Montana. The information was turned over to authorities in Montana, where Dykes pleaded guilty after being charged there.

Kieft encouraged anyone with information regarding natural resources violations to call or text the Report All Poaching (RAP) program at 800-292-7800. The RAP line is a convenient, effective way for citizens to report the illegal taking of fish or game, or damage to our natural resources. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

An individual offering information that leads to a successful conviction may be eligible for a reward through the RAP program. While citizens can remain anonymous, they must provide their names if they wish to be eligible for a reward.

The 2017 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest contains helpful information such as hunting rules, regulations and dates.

Michigan conservation officers are elite, highly trained professionals who serve in every corner of the state. They are fully commissioned peace officers with authority to enforce the state’s criminal laws. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.