A Decatur, Mich., man's hunting activity has resulted in prison time, financial restitution and a lifetime loss of hunting privileges in the state. Justin Ernst, 33, pleaded guilty in Van Buren County's 36th Circuit Court after illegally taking nine trophy bucks last year.

"We're satisfied that this criminal will be imprisoned for robbing ethical hunters, damaging crops and endangering others by recklessly driving through fields and shooting deer at night," says David Shaw, assistant chief, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. "We hope this serious sentence serves its intended purpose and are grateful for the strong message rendered by the 36th Circuit Court."

On Oct. 17, Michigan State Police troopers were investigating Ernst's involvement in a domestic violence complaint. State police contacted DNR conservation officers when they noticed several deer in a nearby barn where Ernst reportedly spent a significant amount of time.

TROPHY ANTLERS: Eight of the nine sets of deer antlers poached by Justin Ernst, 33, of Decatur. Conservation officers discovered Ernst poached a ninth deer, two days after locating the original eight deer.

Conservation officers investigated and seized eight illegal bucks in the barn — five 10-pointers and three with eight points each.

Two days later, an anonymous tip to DNR's Report All Poaching hotline said Ernst had taken another deer. Conservation officers confirmed Ernst had taken another trophy buck — increasing his total to nine illegally taken deer.

Ernst plead guilty to:

As part of his plea deal, Ernst was given a lifetime hunting revocation, ordered to pay $25,000 in reimbursement, forfeited all seized items, and will serve 18 months to five years in a Michigan Department of Corrections facility.

To report poaching or other suspected natural resources violations, call the Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Source: MDNR, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.