"Last year we had two deer with restitution values ordered in the area of $13,000," Fitz said. "From a deterrent point of view, the law is still too new to evaluate, but I believe it's having an effect. Under the old law, some people thought $400 in restitution was a gamble worth taking for a trophy buck. Under the new law, the stakes are much higher and not worth it for most folks."
In Idaho, the Boone and Crockett scoring system helped up the ante after Idaho poacher Frederick R. Schoenick of St. Maries killed a trophy mule deer prior to the season opener.
Schoenick took only the head and cape of the deer, leaving the meat to waste. An alert game warden collected a DNA sample from the headless carcass. Later, when Schoenick entered the antlers into a local big buck contest, wardens used DNA evidence to positively match the antlers to the carcass.
Because Schoenick's illegal buck scored over 150 Boone and Crockett points (214-3/8 to be exact), it was considered a trophy animal by Idaho statute and therefore subject to a more severe civil penalty--a $2,000 fine instead of the normal $400.
Idaho law cites Boone and Crockett standards as the official definition of "trophy" for several species, and states that the highest of the typical or non-typical scores shall be used to assess penalties.
Schoenick pleaded guilty to taking a trophy mule deer during closed season, as well as wasteful destruction. He received a $3,158 fine, five days in jail or 120 hours of community service, two years probation, and a two-year loss of hunting privileges.
In the case of the three alleged Ohio poachers, the investigation is still under way. The prosecutor is planning to convene a grand jury in mid-December.
Despite the dangers to wildlife officers, the war against poaching goes on. And a real war it is, with real casualties.
The Buckeye State, through the years, has had a dozen wildlife officers killed or die in the line of duty. None recently, thankfully. Other states, too, have similar officer casualty statistics--some far worse than Ohio.
You can help state and federal wildlife officers by reporting poaching when it is viewed or suspected. All states have some sort of poaching hotline whereby callers can remain anonymous yet get the appropriate information to wildlife law enforcement authorities. Many states even offer a cash reward to informants if the poacher(s) is convicted in a court of law.
Do the right thing. If you see poaching, or have knowledge of it happening in your area, pick up your phone and make the call. Your action will help preserve the sport of recreational hunting.
W. H. "Chip" Gross is a frequent contributor to ESPNoutdoors.com, and a former Ohio state wildlife officer himself. He can be reached for comment about this story through his Web site, www.chipgross.com.