Wisconsin Men Pay Hefty Fines for Poached Mule Deer

 

Wisconsin Men Pay Hefty Fines for Poached Mule Deer

SHERIDAN - For the third time in as many years, substantial fines have been levied for the poaching of trophy class animals on private land in Johnson and Sheridan counties. The most recent case involved two Wisconsin men who illegally killed three mule deer in October 2014. James Kafka and Robert Schneeberger of Mosinee, Wisconsin were charged with illegally killing the deer on a secluded private ranch in southern Sheridan County between October 1^st and 3^rd, 2014.

James Kafka had hunted the same Wyoming ranch for many years and convinced the owner and his ex-wife to buy resident deer licenses and give them to the two nonresident hunters. Kafka and Schneeberger traveled from Wisconsin to Sheridan County in a motor home and set up camp on private land far from the visibility of Game Wardens. When the two hunters tried to ship the trophy heads back to Wisconsin approximately two months later, it caught the eye of a suspicious employee. Fortunately for Game Wardens and the people of Wyoming there are concerned citizens who report such information. “If it wasn’t for a concerned individual, these two poachers could have gone undetected and possibly many more animals could have been taken illegally” said investigating officer Jim Seeman of Buffalo.  

This type of crime (taking trophy class animals without valid licenses) is extremely difficult to, detect. With millions of acres of public land to patrol and private ranches that sometimes encompass tens of thousands of acres, the chance of a warden being in the right place when the violation occurs is almost impossible. Kafka and Schneeberger had applied for non-resident deer licenses in March 2014 but were unsuccessful in the June drawing. The duo planned their trip anyway, thinking that since they would be hunting on a large, secluded private ranch, no one would ever find out.

The two Wyoming residents who provided Kafka and Schneeberger their licenses also plead guilty in December, 2014. Both subjects lost their hunting privileges for three years and were fined $200.00 each. On May 22, 2015 Kafka and Schneeberger were sentenced in the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial District, Sheridan County, and ordered to pay fines and restitution totaling $21,120.00. Neither man will be able to hunt in Wisconsin, Wyoming or 43 other states until 2018.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Warden Jim Seeman wish to thank those citizens that report wildlife violations or suspicious circumstances that they observe. Help us Stand Watch to Stop Poaching by calling 1-877-943-3847 to report wildlife violations.

 

~WGFD~

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