Cambria County, Pa. — Two men were collectively fined over $7,000 for illegally killing and taking a trophy white-tailed deer, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
State Game Warden April Whitsell’s investigation led to the identification of Zachary Burgan and Matthew Koenig as the individuals responsible for illegally shooting a 169-inch Boone and Crockett trophy deer. The incident occurred at night, from a vehicle, with the aid of the vehicle headlights just after midnight on Dec. 8.
The defendants not only violated hunting regulations by shooting the deer at night from a vehicle, but also tried to take it to a taxidermist the next day with a tag from the previous year.
Koenig was ordered to pay over $6,350 in fines and restitution, coupled with multiple years of license revocation. Burgan was ordered to pay over $1,100 in fines and also undergo multiple years of license revocation.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission encourages individuals to report wildlife crimes promptly. Reports can be made by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at https://bit.ly/3Pgwwhf .