On October 8, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) announced one of its largest poaching busts in recent memory. The agency charged three men with poaching dozens upon dozens of trophy whitetails.
According to a PGC press release, the recent bust is the result of a 2-year investigation that began when the agency received a tip about “the unlawful taking of large whitetail bucks over a span of years.” The PGC ultimately filed 71 charges against a father and his two adult sons in Chester County.
Carl Nelson III, 70, faces 35 misdemeanor charges and up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. His sons, Carroll and Mark, face 11 and 25 charges, respectively, as well five and seven years in prison. All three individuals could receive serious fines, court costs, and restitution, as well as hunting license bans, if convicted.
Pennsylvania game wardens say the charges filed concern whitetails that were taken out of season, at night, or over the annual limit. Officials seized 50 mounts and antler sets from the three alleged poachers. Most of the racks are considered “trophy class.”
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“Numerous State Game Wardens and Deputy State Game Wardens from throughout the Game Commission’s Southeast Region, as well as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Chester County detectives, assisted in this lengthy investigation,” explained the PGC. “Poachers are thieves — help us catch them! Report poaching and wildlife crimes to the Game Commission.”
