Skip to main content

Alleged Poachers Face Charges for Illegally Killing 24 Deer

Alleged Poachers Face Charges for Illegally Killing 24 Deer

Three men face illegal hunting charges for taking two dozen deer, including a 36-pointer that could be a new state record.

According to the Morris Daily Herald, Christopher Kiernan, 45, of Minooka, Ill., Larry Smith, 49, of Williamsburg, Ontario, Canada, and Garret Armstrong, 31, of Avon, N.Y., each face multiple charges after taking the deer outside Morris, Ill, following an 11-month investigation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Law Enforcement, with assistance from various other wildlife agencies.

Grundy County State's Attorney Johnathan Bates told The Associated Press that Kiernan had turned himself in and had already been released on bail.


The investigation focused on the 36-point buck, which scored at 261 5/8 inches and was worth about $35,000. Authorities say Kiernan illegally killed the buck on Nov. 1, 2009.

All three face numerous charges for illegally taking deer for the last two years, the newspaper reported, with Kiernan facing 44 criminal misdemeanor charges related to illegally harvesting deer, hunting on land without owner's permission, falsifying harvest records, and failure to report a kill on the same day as killed and failure to properly tag the deer as required.

Armstrong faces 26 misdemeanor counts, and Smith faces seven.


Bates told the paper that the charges serve as a stern reminder for those with similar intentions.

"I am proud of the hard work of the IDNR law enforcement staff and have a warning to those who choose to hunt illegally: We are watching," Bates said.




Current Magazine Cover

Don't Miss

The Essentials Gear Box.

Our editors have hand-picked these essential pieces of gear to make you a more successful hunter when you hit the game trails this season.

Learn More

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Hunting

A Boy's First Whitetail Hunt

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Steiner Optics Predator Series

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Introducing the Burris Veracity PH

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Taurus Raging Hunter

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Streamlight Pro Tac 2.0

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Streamlight Bear Trap

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Ascendant from Rock River Arms

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

HEVI-Shot Turkey Loads

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

CZ 600 Series Trail Rifle

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Burris Veracity PH Riflescope

Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line ...
Gear

Benelli Montefeltro Shotgun

Petersen's Hunting Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Petersen's Hunting App

Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now