DNR says buck with record rack was poached

Photo via Minnesota DNR

A DNR officer displays the confiscated rack

​It's been quite the day for hunting season stories. First we had the deputy who put a bullet in his wife's thigh. Then we had the autistic kid who shot up his neighbors' horses. And yesterday we learned that the Wisconsin DNR wants folks with deer permits to open fire on as a many wild pigs as possible. Now comes this: The guy who bagged a recording breaking white-tailed buck and got his trophy kill splattered all over the local press and airwaves -- Minnesota DNR says he took the beast "illegally" on Halloween while hunting on private land.

Here's the full press release:

State conservation officers recently seized a record-book deer rack and filed poaching charges against a Cannon Falls man.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources investigation stemmed from an incident where three deer, including a trophy 8-point buck were killed by archery in three separate incidents near Cannon Falls in October.

According to the complaint, Troy Alan Reinke, 32, admitted to conservation officers that he had shot a small doe and a small buck on separate dates in early October, and failed to tag or register either of the deer. Reinke said he shot the large 8-point buck, with a 185 green score, on Halloween evening. A green score is an unofficial score to rate deer antlers (inches of length).

Conservation officers seized a bow, two deer racks, the meat from the three deer, and the hide from the large buck as part of their investigation.

Restitution for the small buck and doe is $500 each. Restitution for the trophy buck is $1,000.

Reinke also faces other fines and court costs, and could have his hunting privileges revoked for three years if convicted. A trial date has not been set.

Anyone witnessing wildlife or fishing code violations is encouraged to contact the nearest conservation officer, law enforcement agency or the toll-free Turn-In-Poacher (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Also, #TIP is available to most cell phone users in Minnesota.

People should contact the Minnesota State Patrol or a DNR regional or area office for the name and phone number of a conservation officer in their area.

DNR says the buck may have had the largest set of eight-point antlers ever measured.