Two Northern Michigan men arraigned, accused of shooting buck from truck window and other animal cruelty charges

KALKASKA MICH. (WWJ) Two young Kalkaska men have been arraigned on animal cruelty and other charges that took place throughout the county in October and November 2022.

Nicholas Patnode, 19, and Zander Garrett, 20, are accused of illegally killing at least six deer, including a 9-point buck shot from the window of a truck and “inhumanely killing a porcupine.”

“When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far. These crimes need to be addressed,” said Jason Haines, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’s (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. “Prosecution of these acts will hopefully deter not only these individuals but others from committing similar crimes in the future.”

Garrett and Patnode were arrested on April 12 on felony charges and were released the following day after their bond was paid. They are due back in court a week from Monday.

Patnode’s 11 charges include:

Two counts of killing, torturing animals, a third-degree felony punishable by up to four years in jail and/or $5,000 in fines.

Six counts of wildlife conservation violation – general violations. Each is a misdemeanor punishable of up to 90 days in jail per count and/or $500 each.

One count of hunting and fishing license violation – using another’s license, a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $250 in fines.

One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle; a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.

One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads. The offense is a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and/or up to $500 in fines.

Garrett's charges include:

One count of killing, torturing animals.

One count of wildlife conservation violation – taking game from a vehicle.

One count of wildlife conservation violation – possessing bow or crossbow in a vehicle operated on public land or roads.

A third man, who was a minor when the crimes were committed, processed a plea agreement through the county’s juvenile court.

The DNR conversation officers began the investigation into the cruelty charges in 2022 after receiving a tip through the DNR Report All Poaching hotline .

“Our officers conducted a very thorough investigation to piece together many pieces of evidence from throughout the county,” Haines said in the press release.

If you witness a natural resource violation, the DNR asks you to immediately call the Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. You can be anonymous. Money rewards may be given to those with information that leads to the arrest or conviction of violators.