MEDICINE LODGE, Kan. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to more than a year in prison and fined $310,000 for poaching 60 deer in southern Kansas, state wildlife officials said.
John Blick, Jr., 28, of Sharon, pleaded guilty in November to 139 hunting-related counts in Barber County, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also was charged with 33 misdemeanors in Harper County in the killing of three trophy deer.
Blick was sentenced to 14 months in prison, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism department said Thursday. He was also ordered to pay the agency $310,000, which is the estimated value of the deer.
Blick was arrested after a multi-year investigation involving several agencies. The wildlife department said information gathered during the investigation could lead to future prosecutions of other wildlife violators.
Some of the charges against Blick included criminal hunting, hunting from a vehicle, using artificial light, exceeding bag limits and hunting without a license.
The deer heads will be destroyed and equipment and firearms will be forfeited to the state of Kansas, authorities said.