DEER POACHING: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says two Clinton men have pleaded guilty to poaching trophy deer
December 17, 2010
An investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has lead to poaching charges against two Clinton men.
Twenty-six-year-old Ross Niles and 32-year-old Eric Thompson pleaded guilty to several charges, including two counts of unlawful taking of a deer, two counts of unlawful possession of deer and no hunting license. The charges stemmed from a trophy buck poaching case. The investigation was sparked by a traffic stop near Green Island on November 17th.
The Iowa DNR says Niles and Thompson illegally killed two bucks while hunting near Preston. One of the bucks had a gross score of 171 inches. The two men are also suspected in the poaching of another trophy buck. The investigation in that case continues.
Weapons were seized from Niles and Thompson and they’re facing fines of $3,000.