<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1diAGb_0vl29c6K00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1diAGb_0vl29c6K00" width="1500" height="844" >FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A hunter pleaded guilty and has been ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and serve 80 hours of community service for hunting during closed season in Frederick County, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.On November 11, 2023, Natural Resources Police (NRP) started investigating the illegal harvest of a trophy white-tailed deer after they got a tip that Michael Hines illegally killed a large buck with a firearm. The reported incident happened during bow season.Huntin or harvesting by any other means during bow season is illegal in Maryland and is considered poaching, according to AG officials.The investigation revealed that on November 10, 2023, Hines shot and killed a buck using a rifle. He took photos of himself with the buck and posted them on the social media page “Maryland Bowhunters,” AG officials said.Hines then removed the deer’s head, disposed of the carcass and took the head and antlers to a local taxidermist. The carcass was eventually recovered by NRP officials and showed two circular gunshot holes, officials said.The head and antlers were later recovered.“Maryland hunters understand the rules about when, where, and how they can hunt. When someone breaks those rules, they're cheating and harming Maryland’s conservation efforts,” said Attorney General Brown.Under Maryland law, a person convicted of poaching a deer is required to pay restitution to the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund. The amount of restitution is determined based on the size of the deer’s antlers.Hines was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and pay a criminal fine of $1,000, according to AG officials.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Hunter pleads guilty, ordered to pay $5K restitution for poaching in Frederick County, Md.

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A hunter pleaded guilty and has been ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and serve 80 hours of community service for hunting during closed season in Frederick County, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. On November 11, 2023, Natural Resources Police (NRP)...