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HARRISBURG – A two-year investigation by Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Joe Wenzel came to a close as three New Hampshire residents recently were found guilty of unlawfully killing deer and assessed nearly $5,000 in fines and related costs by District Judge Jonathan Wilcox in Troy, Bradford County.
Russell W. Hammond, 43, and Paul L. Hammond, 51, both of Raymond, New Hampshire, were found guilty of unlawful taking and possession of game or wildlife and failure to report big game harvests, for which they were fined $825 each. In addition, they each were assessed a $500 restitution fee for the deer, $217 in restitution for DNA laboratory fees and $124 in court costs.
The third New Hampshire resident, Dean B. Nash, 51, of Epping, was found guilty of unlawful taking and possession of game or wildlife, and was fined $800. He also was assessed a $500 restitution fee for the deer, $217 in restitution for DNA laboratory fees and $62 for court costs.
The case stemmed from an investigation initiated by a confidential informant from a large meat processor in Bradford County in 2006.
“Processor employees found a muzzleloader slug in a deer that was allegedly harvested during the early archery season that year,” WCO Wenzel said. “Recognizing a violation, these concerned citizens reported their finding. After I arrived at meat plant, it was discovered that two New Hampshire residents had dropped off multiple deer for processing. One of the deer was a five-point buck that was tagged on Oct. 12, 2006, as archery kill.”
WCO Wenzel, assisted by Bradford/Susquehanna Counties Land Management Group Supervisor Rich Lupinsky, attempted to locate the group of hunters at area camps and motels. The deer tag and processing receipts were used to identify some of the hunters.
WCO Wenzel then contacted New Hampshire Fish and Game officials for assistance. New Hampshire Conservation Officer Justin Ferland led the investigation in New Hampshire and was later assisted by CO Michael Matson.
“Thanks to New Hampshire officers, interviews were conducted with three individuals and evidence was viewed over the course of several months,” WCO Wenzel said. “They also had numerous phone conversations with the hunter who tagged the deer in question.”
In September of 2007, the New Hampshire hunter agreed to turn over a broken arrow and a set of deer antlers to New Hampshire wildlife officers, who then provided the evidence to us for DNA testing by the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory at East Stroudsburg University. The meat processor turned over the rifle slug and deer tag that had been retained at the meat plant.
On Aug. 28, 2008, the DNA laboratory completed their final testing to determine some discrepancies with the evidence samples that were submitted. It was apparent that some of the evidence may have been intentionally submitted to hinder the case. The evidence was picked up by WCO Wenzel almost one year later to the date of submission.
After final review, WCO Wenzel filed charges on the three individuals on Oct. 9, and a hearing was held on Oct. 22.
After a lengthy summary trial District Judge Jonathan Wilcox found the three defendants guilty in a case that is likely the first Game and Wildlife case prosecuted in Bradford County utilizing DNA testing.
TWO ERIE COUNTY POACHING INCIDENTS RESULT IN CHARGES
Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Michael D. Wojtecki recently filed four Game and Wildlife Code charges against Michael James Renzi, 31, and Maurice Allen Page, 28, both of Erie, for a poaching incident on Nov. 5. All charges were filed in District Judge Christopher MacKendrick’s office in Erie.
Renzi and Page were each charged with one count of unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife, which carries a fine up to $800 each, plus court cost. Renzi and Page also were each charged with one count of restrictions on recreational spotlighting, which carries a fine up to $200 each, plus court cost.
The charges stem for an incident that occurred on Nov. 5, in Conneaut Township on Finley and Old Albion roads. The two suspects were apprehended at 12:30 am on Old Albion Road with a Remington .30-06 and a spotlight in Renzi’s Ford pick up. They had shot a large eight-point buck, with heavy antlers, long tines and a spread of 19.5 inches. The buck’s antlers rough-scored about 140 using Boone and Crocket scoring system, and would have been a trophy of a life-time for any sportsman.
“This investigation was possible through the help of a concerned resident, whose son has been hunting for this deer during the archery season and was following all of the laws and regulations as any ethical hunter would,” Wojtecki said.
Earlier, on Oct.29, WCO Wojtecki said that David Christopher Lavery, 31, also of Erie, was found guilty by District Judge MacKendrick for two Game and Wildlife Code violations.
Wojtecki cited Lavery for unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife and unlawful acts concerning licenses. Judge MacKendrick fined Lavery $525, plus $104 in court costs.
Charges against Lavery were the result of his attempting to hunt deer on Oct. 3, at 5:30 p.m., which was one day before the legal archery season opened. Lavery was in an elevated tree stand with a bow and hunting arrows. He was dressed in full camouflage clothing.
Additionally, Lavery could not produce a valid hunting license at the time of the field inspection in a wooded area off Glosky Road in Conneaut Township.
