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Description

From a cozy front porch in Utah, Wayne talks with Ohio Wildlife Officer and K9 handler Chris Gilkey. Born, raised - and now based - in the Ohio foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Officer Gilkey shares the remarkable story of Big Boy, the largest typical white-tailed buck taken in North America in 2009 – and for one poacher, more ‘bucks’ than he counted on. 

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Here’s what we discuss:

Missed connections and an epic fishing trip

Fifteen minutes from West Virginia

Ohio is a destination for white-tailed deer hunters – but also for poachers

Ethical hunters spotted a huge buck in the summer of 2009 and planned to hunt it in the fall

Wanted Officer Gilkey to be involved

“Big Boy” disappeared from trail cams shortly before the season

Months later, Big Boy is on display at an expo

Poacher claimed the trophy buck was taken in Kentucky

Stuck to his story but eventually confessed, hoping to avoid prison

Thirteen prior hunting convictions

Poacher forfeited his bow, received fines, a lifetime hunting ban and…

A $23,572.05 fine under Ohio’s Trophy Restitution Law

Received Ohio Bow Hunter Officer of the Year award for this case

Hunters who provided the information deserved an award

Report wildlife crime in all 50 states and Canada through wildlifecrimestoppers.org

Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches

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