Trophy deer antlers matched with DNA.

Trophy Mule Deer Case Solved With DNA Sample

Case Information: Frederick R. Schoenick shot this trophy mule deer before the season began in Unit 6 and left it to waste, taking only the head and cape.

A concerned hunter called the local sheriff's office after he discovered a large, headless deer carcass along the road, the day before the mule deer opener in Unit 6. The local Fish and Game conservation officer who responded was shocked at the size of the skinned, headless mule deer carcass.

Realizing that this was a trophy sized mule deer, the officer took tissue DNA samples from the carcass, in hopes of later matching the carcass to its trophy rack. The officer checked the local sporting goods shops for entries into their big buck contests, waiting to see if the large mule deer rack would be entered.

On October 23, Schoenick took his rack and cape into a sporting goods store and had his picture taken with it. He then took it to the local fur shop where he tried to sell the cape and asked to have a European skull mount done.

The officer took DNA samples from Schoenick's buck and sent them to the Fish and Game Wildlife Lab. On November 7th, the samples proved to be a 100% match to the headless mule deer carcass sampled the day before the open season, less than 2 miles from Schoenick's house. On November 8, the officer interviewed Schoenick at his residence in St. Maries, where he initially denied killing the buck. After being presented with the DNA evidence against him, he confessed to killing the buck during the closed season and wasting it.

Schoenick pleaded guilty to taking a trophy mule deer during closed season and wasteful destruction of that mule deer. Because this buck's antlers score over 150 Boone and Crockett points (actual score was 214 3/8), it is considered a trophy-class animal subject to a $2,000 civil penalty.

Fine / Civil penalty &Revocation: $3,158 fine, five days in Jail or 120 hours of community service, two-year probation, two-year loss of hunting privileges.

Anyone with information about a wildlife crime is encouraged to call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or their local Fish and Game regional office.