by Joseph Back

Two groups of Clark County young people from two different communities are in trouble with the law this December, after DNR game wardens in Clark County began to receive complaints from people finding large numbers of deer that had been shot and left to rot in area fields in early November. As to how the two groups in question came to light, DNR Warden Team Supervisor Robin Barnhardt credited public feedback.

'The wardens got complaints from folks that were finding a large number of deer shot and just left to rot in the fields,” he said, while the fact that wardens live in the communities, they serve meant that from talking to people in the area they were able to get specific suspects, although the shining took place throughout Clark County, with no specific location. The death and destruction of wildlife in said manner is illegal under at least two state codes, Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes as well as Administrative Code NR 10.

Potential penalties prescribed in 29.971(11) of the state statutes include a fine from $1,000 to $2,000 and/ imprisonment for six months or both. The 40+ deer kill in Clark County, which also includes one horse, is still under investigation at present, although Barnhardt said that firearms were used in the illegal night shooting.

'There were firearms involved,” Barnhardt said of the two groups of young people currently under suspicion. “This investigation is still open and active.” Among the reasons to be concerned is that of knowing what or who may be beyond the target.

“Typically, (when people shine), they don’t give a lot of consideration to what’s behind the deer,” Barnhardt said citing public safety as a concern. As to the current investigation and potential Class A misdemeanor charges to come, Barnhardt said that two specific laws had been violated by the groups: hunting with a firearm out of season and using artificial light as an aid.

Shooting with a firearm is prohibited anytime except from between 30 minutes before sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset, as outlined in Administrative Code NR 10, while the ac- Photo by Joseph Back. tivity fell outside the allowable window as well, this being defined as the 9-day gun deer season just past and a four-day anterless season in December. Shoot deer outside either of these two time periods, and you could lose your current game license along with any renewals for up to three years. In relation to penalties for the illegal deer kill, Barnhardt said they will be talked over with the Clark County District Attorney once the investigation is complete. A district attorney is appointed to represent the legal interests of the people in the county where they reside, so that the penalty meted out be fair and appropriate. But lest one think the practice of shining and shooting deer is just a local problem, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

'This is not uncommon,” Barnhardt said of shining and shooting deer in the fall. While Clark County was the focus of the illegal shooting this year, next year it could be elsewhere in the state—or in other words, keep your eyes open. Should you see a game violation in progress, notify the DNR by calling 1-800-TIP-WDNR, otherwise known as 1-800-847-9367. Sportsmen may also text their complaints and concerns of game violations to TIP-411, decoded as 867-411.

A deer head rots on Hinker Road off 73 in Clark County, as off camera a Budweiser can completes the scene. The DNR has recently announced that two groups of young people are thought responsible for a recent 'thrill kill' spree in rural parts of Clark County, during which up to 40 deer and one horse were shined with lights at night, then shot and left to die where they lay.