In an illegal killing spree that lasted nearly three years, those involved have finally been brought to justice.
According to criminal complaints, Eric A. Feavel, 41, and his accomplice Travis J. Vander Heiden, 37, went on an absolute tear between 2019 and 2022 in Waupaca County, Wisconsin. The investigation kicked off last fall after a call came in about a vehicle jacklighting deer at night along with the body of a headless whitetail found nearby a few days prior.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officer Jeff Nieling was investigating when he pulled over a vehicle that matched the description of the one reported. Inside the vehicle, the officer identified Vander Heiden as the driver and Feavel riding shotgun.
At the time, Feavel was wearing an ankle bracelet (go figure) and Nieling retrieved a crossbow found inside the vehicle. The driver admitted that the pair was out shining deer, and when pressed for more information, the two men divulged that they had illegally killed upwards of 30 deer over the course of the preceding two years.
While the suspects admitted to the arbitrary number of 30 deer, DNR officials have reason to believe that number may even be higher. Officer Jonathan Keiser, who was also investigating the case, called it one of the worst poaching cases he’d ever seen.
“Within the last 10 or so years, we had a case involving what I believe to be maybe 50 deer impacted,” he said. “Due to the frequency and volume of deer impacted, I believe it’s fair to say the defendants don’t even remember the exact number. There certainly could have been more. Compared to our more typical deer cases, this one is certainly exceptional. We don’t recall when we’ve had a lifetime revocation of any privileges. This certainly does bring some closure to a portion of the case.”
Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Bolz, who prosecuted the case, echoed the sentiment in his statement.
“This was a case that spanned over a significant period of time,” he said. “Mr. Feavel was involved in what could be described at this time as the biggest poaching case in the state of Wisconsin. We don’t know exactly how many deer were poached, but we have a good idea that there were a large number of deer that were taken illegally by Mr. Feavel and his codefendant. There is some disparity on who was shining and who was pulling the trigger on every situation, but we’re confident that they were both involved in this situation.”
Feavel was in court last week and entered a guilty plea to three felony counts of bail jumping and three misdemeanor counts of illegal shining of deer.
As part of the sentencing, Waupaca County Judge Troy Nielsen permanently revoked Feavel’s hunting privileges and fined him $1,000 on each of the three shining charges, plus a total of $5,958 in court costs. He dismissed 45 other charges in connection with the case.
His partner in crime fled Wisconsin for greener pastures in Texas after his misdemeanor charges were filed against him earlier this year. Since he was required to show up to the hearing via telephone, but failed to call it in, a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“At some point, it’ll catch up to him. I don’t know what kind of sentence he will get, but we will do what we feel is appropriate to hold him accountable,” Bolz said.
