July 31, 2024 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – MEDIA RELEASE – PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED
Date: 07-31-2024
Incident: Open Investigation – Deer Poaching
In mid-July, a tip led a Fond du Lac County sheriff’s deputy to uncover what is believed to be a large scale deer poaching scheme. Due to the nature of the offenses involved, the deputy contacted a conservation warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and a joint investigation was initiated.
The range involved covers approximately 200 square miles over Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Washington Counties, and we have information to believe this has been occurring over the course of the last 12 months.
General boundaries of the area targeted by suspects fall within a perimeter outlined between Campbellsport, Waucousta, Lomira, Theresa, West Bend, and Kewaskum.
At this time, we are asking anyone with information that may be related to this investigation contact law enforcement. Information may include:
• Hearing gunshots during overnight hours.
• Observing a suspicious vehicle shining deer, stopping in the roadway, and/or shooting from a vehicle.
• Locating dead deer carcasses, on public or private land, with bullet wounds. Bucks would have the full head removed and does would be fully intact.
• Observing deer, alive or deceased, with what appear to be gunshot wounds, especially outside of deer hunting season.
• Any other information that may be relevant to an investigation of this nature.
You can provide information by contacting Conservation Warden Zachery Feest (Washington County) at 262-237-0904 or Conservation Warden William Hankee (Fond du Lac County) at 920-904-2653. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the Fond du Lac County Law Enforcement Tip Line by calling 920-906-4777.
This investigation remains open and ongoing. Further details about this case and any potential charges will be shared at the conclusion of the investigation.
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