Deer Decoy Poacher Sting

Big deer antlers are one of Nature’s most sought-after prizes. Large racks command big money by collectors, attracting criminals who traffic antlers any way they can. And hunters who pay thousands of dollars for the chance to kill a trophy buck can be tempted to break laws to do so. Though Kansas is now closing out a case against one of the largest deer poaching rings in U.S. history, poachers are always out there. And be warned: Kansas game wardens are serious about reserving our state’s big deer for legal hunters. Opening day of the 2011firearm deer season found Kansas game wardens Brian Hanzlick, Daniel Haneke, and Matt Stucker on a stake-out in big-buck country in central Kansas. Complaints from a local landowner revealed five large deer in recent weeks, left in fields with heads removed. It was a prime location for a sting. Using aircraft, spotlighters were caught there just last week, but there was reason to believe that others were involved. So the game wardens employed a common Kansas technique – using a deer decoy to flush out illegal shooters that might see it from the road. On property closed to hunting and under tightly- controlled conditions, a bedded doe decoy was paired with a large, full-bodied buck mount in a subtle location. Then, the game wardens waited all day – two spotters in nearby brush, and one in a hidden chase vehicle. Using the latest in technology, the law officers had every advantage for a safe “bust”, if one were needed. Matt Stucker, lieutenant for KDWPT law enforcement division, explained the intent of the operation. “It is supposed to be hopefully a deterrent, that people that try to shoot at the deer will be on the illegal side, and therefore we will issue them citations and take them to court, and they will realize they shouldn’t be doing that and talk to their friends, and we end up stopping the illegal activity in an area like this. In this area we’re going to set up a buck and a doe, so it will look more natural, and from a distance away, that’s what they look – completely natural. So we hope to stop this, or at least curtail the illegal activity, so that the people out there that are hunting and having a good time can continue to do so.” The game wardens, all avid bowhunters themselves, waited through the long day on stand in the same way they might wait for a rutting buck. And like most days, nothing came close. A number of passing vehicles never stopped, though some tapped their brakes when they saw the “deer.” There’s no foul in stopping to look at the decoy setup, but shooting at it or crossing the fence onto private property constitutes a violation. Officer Brian Hanzlick explained what happens then: “Citations. Here in this county it’s a mandatory appearance. They’ll have to appear before the judge. And sometimes if we can, we’ll get license revocation for them, and then penalties and fines. That’s all determined mainly by the judge.” KDWPT law officers are busy across the state checking deer hunters and ensuring a safe and fair deer season for all. And for those planning to bend the rules, surprises may lurk in the nearby brush. I’m Mike Blair for Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.