OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said two Mississippi men pleaded guilty after violating Ohio wildlife codes.
ODNR said Dawson Brown, 25, and Jase Smith, 24, poached white-tailed deer in southeast Ohio.
Brown pleaded guilty to seven charges in Belmont County Court related to unlawfully taking white-tailed deer, including hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, hunting deer with a firearm during archery season, hunting outside of legal shooting hours, and more. Two of the antler sets Brown had were analyzed for restitution, and he was ordered to pay over $13,000 in restitution and $865 in fines and court fees. He must also serve three years of probation and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years.
As for Smith, he pleaded guilty to four charges in Muskingum County Court, including hunting without permission, hunting without a nonresident deer permit, hunting without a nonresident hunting license and failing to game check a deer for harvest. He was ordered to pay over $1,800 in restitution and $245.25 in fines and court fees. Additionally, he must serve 30 days in jail and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years.
Additionally, he pleaded guilty for possession of untagged deer parts. for this, he was ordered to $605 in fines and court costs and complete three years of probation. For this offense, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
ODNR said both men will likely lose hunting rights in 47 other states, including Mississippi, for three years. In total, the men will need to pay $15,054.37 in restitution.
