From a cozy front porch in Utah, Wayne talks with Ohio Wildlife Officer and K9 handler Chris Gilkey. Born, raised – and now based – in the Ohio foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Officer Gilkey shares the remarkable story of Big Boy, the largest typical white-tailed buck taken in North America in 2009 – and for one poacher, more ‘bucks’ than he counted on.
Our Sponsors:
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
Here’s what we discuss:
- Missed connections and an epic fishing trip
- Fifteen minutes from West Virginia
- Ohio is a destination for white-tailed deer hunters – but also for poachers
- Ethical hunters spotted a huge buck in the summer of 2009 and planned to hunt it in the fall
- Wanted Officer Gilkey to be involved
- “Big Boy” disappeared from trail cams shortly before the season
- Months later, Big Boy is on display at an expo
- Poacher claimed the trophy buck was taken in Kentucky
- Stuck to his story but eventually confessed, hoping to avoid prison
- Thirteen prior hunting convictions
- Poacher forfeited his bow, received fines, a lifetime hunting ban and…
- A $23,572.05 fine under Ohio’s Trophy Restitution Law
- Received Ohio Bow Hunter Officer of the Year award for this case
- Hunters who provided the information deserved an award
- Report wildlife crime in all 50 states and Canada through wildlifecrimestoppers.org
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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