(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) announced that they busted an illegal poaching ring, resulting in 71 charges being filed against three residents for allegedly illegally killing trophy bucks.

According to a Facebook post from the PGC , a concerned hunter tipped the Commission to suspicious activity in 2022. After a lengthy, two-year investigation, Carl Nelson III, of West Chester, Carroll Nelson IV, of Downingtown, and Mark Nelson, of West Chester, were criminally charged on September 27, 2024.

The Commission says they have seized dozens of mounts during the investigation, which is still ongoing.

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The post says Nelsons will face significant fines, restitution, and hunting license revocation if convicted of the charges, which involve white-tailed deer being taken out of season, at night, or over the bag limit in Chester and Delaware counties.

Numerous state game wardens and deputy state game wardens from the Game Commission’s Southeast Region conducted the two-year investigation, as well as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Chester County detectives.

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