Stemming from an incident back in 2021, a Wisconsin man has opted to take a plea deal in a case of backyard poaching a trophy whitetail.
Affectionately known as the “17pointer”, the buck had been somewhat of a fixture of local folklore in the sleepy village of Coon Valley. With bases the size of beer cans, multiple burred brow tines and mains that stretched to the sky, the salacious characteristics of the fabled deer proved too much to resist.
The incident took place during Wisconsin’s archery season in 2021 and after a tip was reported to the state’s DNR violations hotline the following year, wildlife officials were quick to respond.
Arriving at the property of Douglas D. Meyers, wardens sat with the shooter of the magnificent buck and pressed him for answers. With reports of a gun shot coming from the vicinity of his property, the hunch was that the deer was taken with a bullet rather than an arrow.
Meyers later confessed that he had stood behind his garage and shot the deer with his rifle. In an effort to cover his tracks and maintain his original story of having shot it with a bow, he shot the already dead animal with his crossbow.
He then admitted to sticking an arrow into the gunshot wound on the deer in an attempt to conceal the penetration of hot lead.
The buck, which had been toted around by Meyers for the better part of a year, was highly decorated. Having won a number of awards and showcased in a variety of hunting contests, the deer’s accolades have since been stripped on the account of foul play.
Meyers took a plea deal earlier this summer which consisted of a three-year suspension of his hunting and fishing privileges. He was also fined for using his wife’s harvest authorizations to take two additional bucks and for placing illegal bait on his property.
“We appreciate the teamwork from citizens who care about the state’s resources and want them protected,” said Tyler Strelow, DNR Lt. Warden who supervises the wardens in La Crosse and Vernon counties. “It is important to take action against individuals who are stealing from those who hunt the Wisconsin way – legally, safely and ethically.”
