Two men from Mississippi have entered guilty pleas in response to a litany of wildlife violations stemming from an illegal white-tailed deer hunt in southeast Ohio, as enforced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The offenders are facing hefty fines and various legal repercussions for their actions.
According to the ODNR, Dawson Brown, aged 25, of Poplarville, Mississippi, is confronting seven charges in Belmont County Court that include hunting deer with a firearm during archery season and other violations. Specifically, Brown was charged with utilizing a motor vehicle to hunt, taking to the field outside legal shooting hours, possessing parts of untagged deer, as well as hunting without the requisite nonresident license and deer permit and spotlighting. The court's judgment has imposed a combined restitution fee of $15,054.37 on the two defendants, with Brown's share accounting for $13,169.37, in addition to fines and court fees.
The case also produced significant punitive measures. Brown faces 390 days of incarceration, of which all but 30 days have been suspended. His probation will extend over a three-year period, during which he will be deprived of hunting privileges in the state of Ohio. The ODNR has also taken possession of five firearms, a spotlight, a quantity of venison, and four antlered deer skulls as part of the forfeiture process. The poached antler sets were subjected to trophy restitution assessment, with impressive scores of 166-2/8 and 154-5/8, underscoring the gravity of the wildlife infractions.
This case underscores ODNR's ongoing efforts to protect local ecosystems and enforce wildlife conservation laws. Both men responsible for these violations will serve as an example of the consequences that stem from disregarding such regulations. The Division of Wildlife remains vigilant, monitoring and safeguarding the diverse habitats that are critical to Ohio's ecological health and natural heritage.
