HORICON – Nine Wisconsin hunters were among 12 persons convicted recently as part of a multi-year investigation of illegal hunting activities in Montana. The total amount of fines, bond and restitution collected in the case was $17,416.
The 12 defendants also lost a total of 63 years of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in the 34 states participating in the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials.
“Those revocations also apply in Wisconsin,” noted WI DNR conservation warden Paul Nell, Horicon, who, along with WI DNR conservation warden Kyle Kosin, Fond du Lac, assisted Montana officials with the investigation.
“The investigation could best be described as an evolving case, with us interviewing a suspect and than just like that another name would pop up,” noted Nell.
“The probe took two years and the convictions were the product of great cooperation between Montana and Wisconsin,” he added.
Besides assisting with the investigation, the Wisconsin conservation wardens seized a number of firearms, antlers and mounted deer and antelope heads.
Two of the defendants were from Montana and another from North Dakota. The Wisconsin defendants and their case dispositions in Montana include:
Michael L. Leinen, 65, and Ron M. Leinen Jr., 40, both of West Bend. The elder Leinen used another person’s license and killed a white-tailed buck without a license. He was assessed $1,270 in bond forfeiture and restitution. The younger man used another person’s license (two counts) and possessed an unlawfully killed antelope. He forfeited a $1,005 bond. Both men lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years.
Scott Vercauteren, 37, and Lanna Vercauteren, 36, both of Campbellsport. Lanna loaned a license to another person and forfeited $235 bond. Scott killed three mule deer bucks, a turkey and an antelope without licenses; used other people’s licenses and failed to properly validate a license. Total bond forfeited and restitution, $5,040. Lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for three years.
Scott Morenzien, 32, of Fond du Lac. Possessed an unlawfully killed mule deer buck. Total bond forfeited and restitution, $1,035. Lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years.
Larry Morenzien, 51, of Kewaskum. Possessed an unlawfully killed white-tailed buck and mule deer buck. Total bond forfeited and restitution, $2,070. Lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years.
Dennis G. Wittkopf, 67, and Scott D. Wittkopf, 32, both of Fond du Lac. Each possessed two unlawfully killed white-tailed bucks and each paid $2,070 in forfeited bond and restitution. Dennis lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years.
Tammy Wittkopf, 34, also of Fond du Lac, possessed a single unlawfully killed white-tailed buck. She paid $1,035 in forfeited bond and restitution. Tammy and Scott Wittkopf each lost privileges to hunt, fish and trap for 10 years.
News Release Published: September 21, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Paul Nell, Conservation Warden, Horicon: 920-387-7880
Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1831
Good job DNR
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