NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET ) — October generally brings memories of fall activities, Halloween surprises, and special days for many. For one ND Game Warden, though, it’s time to look back at one of the most notable incidents of his career: an event that would eventually be known as the Barnes County Deer Case.

In the most recent edition of their ‘Behind the Badge’ series, District Game Warden Corey Erck recalled a 2004 incident in which he received a call from the Report All Poachers hotline — when a caller told Erck he had seen two men in a pickup truck shoot a deer, pick it up, and drive off without tagging the animal before providing a license plate number.

The plate was traced back to a retired farmer who lived in Sanborn, North Dakota, with his adult son. Erck then requested assistance from the Barnes County Sheriff’s Department, and a deputy agreed to go to the farm while he visited the truck’s owner. Upon arriving at the man’s home, the warden spoke to him about the incident, and assured Erck that the deer was tagged at the farm before offering to show him the body.

When they arrived at the farm, the deputy had already discovered a large number of deer in one of the buildings. After radioing the neighboring game warden in LaMoure, the group discovered roughly 30 untagged deer inside — including six whole carcasses hanging from the rafters, nearly two dozen heads and hides, and multiple freezers full of venison.

During conversations with the shooters, Erck and the deputy were able to assemble a list of over 12 people who were part of the hunting party. These individuals were stated to live everywhere from the Sanborn/Valley City area to as far as Fargo, Wahpeton, and Minnesota. All nine of those who were proven to have killed untagged deer later pled guilty.

The father and son were originally charged with 30 counts of unlawful take or possession of a big game animal each, but took a plea agreement. Instead, they were sentenced to pay $1,300 in fines and fees, face a two-year suspension of hunting and fishing privileges, and take a mandatory hunter safety class.

The other seven individuals involved had a total of nine charges pressed against them, which included $3,600 in fines and fees and eight years of hunting and fishing license suspensions.

All deer were seized and donated to a local food pantry.

To view Erck’s full recollection of the event, visit Game and Fish’s website or Facebook page .

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Today's Top Stories

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KX NEWS.