http://www.prairiestateoutdoor..._record_non-typical/



Link to photos

More from the Chicago Sun Times.

For the life of me I can not understand why someone is willing to risk jail, financial penalty and the loss of hunting rights just for a set of antlers. It makes no sense to me.

I'd rather have a nice tender buck or doe for the pot than a big set of what is basically bone. When you get right down to it, unless you're using the antlers to make knife handles or buttons etc... all they are good for is stirring the stew. I leave most of them in the field for the squirrels to chew on.

It is all about bragging rights, maybe. More of a "succesful hunter" attitude I guess. They are in every community, they come from all walks of life. I have worked with them, had them as neighbors, and known many in every town I have lived. I still don't understand it, break the law to succeed. Watch and listen to many of the hunting shows, and it rears it's ugly head. Cheaters I guess. That was quite a trophy.

http://www.prairiestateoutdoor...oaching_trophy_deer/


Five more charged with poaching trophy deer
November 07, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Prairie State Outdoors

SPRINGFIELD – For the second time in a week, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced charges have been filed against hunters who illegally took trophy deer in Illinois.

The most recent case, announced Monday, involves five men from Illinois and Michigan that have been charged with 42 wildlife violations in Illinois involving 31 deer, some of trophy quality.

The largest deer had a non-typical rack scoring 213 5/8 inches and valued at $25,000 .

On Nov. 2, three men were charged with illegally killing two dozen deer, including one Illinois officials say might have set a new state record.

That deer’s rack was valued at $35,000. (See separate story linked below)

Arrests in Monday’s case came after a five-month investigation.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officers received the assistance of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Alleged violations occurred in Cook County unless otherwise noted:

Louis C. Bergsma (age 35 from Galena)

2 counts of unlawfully hunting on private property without permission from the landowner
2 counts of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer with an invalidated archery deer permit
1 count of failure to tag whitetail deer upon recovery
2 counts of unlawful possession of a whitetail deer taken in violation of administrative rule
1 count of unlawfully hunting without a valid non-resident hunting license
1 count of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer without a State Habitat Stamp.
2 counts of falsifying IDNR harvest records (Sangamon Co.)
1 count of failure to report harvest as required (Sangamon Co.)

Jonathan P. Bergsma (age 33 from Ada, MI)

2 counts of accessory to unlawfully hunting on private property without permission from the landowner
2 counts of accessory to unlawfully hunting whitetail deer with an invalidated archery deer permit
2 counts of accessory to the unlawful possession of a whitetail deer taken in violation of administrative rule
1 count of unlawfully hunting without a valid non-resident hunting license
1 count of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer without a State Habitat Stamp
1 count of falsifying IDNR harvest records (Sangamon Co.)

Douglas J. Bergsma (age 60 from Rockford, MI)

1 count of unlawfully hunting on private property without permission from the landowner
1 count of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer with an invalidated archery deer permit
1 count of unlawful possession of a whitetail deer taken in violation of administrative rule
1 count of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer without a State Habitat Stamp
1 count of falsifying IDNR harvest records (Sangamon Co.)
1 count of failure to report harvest as required (Sangamon Co.)

Daniel E. Bergsma (age 27 from Ada, MI)

2 counts of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer with an invalidated archery deer permit
2 counts of unlawful possession of a whitetail deer taken in violation of administrative rule
2 counts of falsifying IDNR harvest records (Sangamon Co.)

Tom E. Hedke (age 33 from Caledonia, MI)

1 count of accessory to unlawfully hunting on private property without permission from the landowner
2 counts of accessory to unlawfully hunting whitetail deer with an invalidated archery deer permit
2 counts of accessory to the unlawful possession of a whitetail deer taken in violation of administrative rule
2 count of unlawfully hunting without a valid non-resident hunting license
2 count of unlawfully hunting whitetail deer without a State Habitat Stamp


Additional charges are pending. If anyone has information about illegal activities in the field,call theTarget Illinois Poacher Hotline at 1-877-2DNRLAW (1-877-236-7529).

Related stories
Three charged in deer poaching case

UPDATED: Three men have been charged with unlawfully taking a total of 24 deer in Illinois and Canada over a 10-year period, including a potential record 36-point buck worth $35,000.

Money every body wants to shoot the buck that makes them rich and famous.

The largest deer had a non-typical rack scoring 213 5/8 inches and valued at $25,000 .

On Nov. 2, three men were charged with illegally killing two dozen deer, including one Illinois officials say might have set a new state record.

That deer’s rack was valued at $35,000. (See separate story linked below)

25000 t0 35000 for a set of horns put your kid thru school pay of a lot of the house ect ect.