KENT COUNTY, MI – A Kent County man is facing several charges after he admitted to shooting numerous deer from his vehicle and abandoning them to “relieve frustration.”
Edward Trout, 29, of Cedar Springs, admitted to Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers that he illegally shot and abandoned multiple deer in Nelson and Spencer townships.
He has also been charged with illegally taking snapping turtles, the DNR said. Trout pleaded not guilty to hunting and fishing without a license, taking game from a vehicle, taking and possessing deer out of season and using illegal fishing devices this month.
The misdemeanor charges carry heavy fines and jail time, reimbursement fines, court costs and losing his hunting and fishing privileges are also possibilities.
Trout’s hunting and fishing privileges have been suspended until he is scheduled to reappear in Kent County’s 63rd District Court on July 19
“We’re grateful for the concerned community members who reported the many dead, gunshot deer that were discovered throughout these communities, which helped officers identify a suspect,” said Chief Dave Shaw, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “The suspect has continued to display repetitive, unethical behavior while stealing public trust resources and allowing them to go to waste.”
Since late January, eight tipsters have contacted the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline, reporting gunfire at night and deer carcasses located on or near properties in northeast Kent County.
Conservation officers Casey Varriale and Justin Ulberg began investigating the tips, often locating deer that appeared to have been shot from near the roadway. By Feb. 13, officers investigated 13 deer that had been shot and abandoned in the two townships.
After hearing several news stories about the poaching, a concerned community member anonymously contacted the RAP hotline on Feb. 14. The tipster reported local rumors of Trout driving around over two to three nights, shooting deer from his vehicle.
Varriale interviewed Trout, who admitted to three instances of going out and shooting at deer, stating that he, “relieved frustration by driving around at night, listening to music and occasionally shooting his pistol into vacant fields from his pickup truck.”
This often occurred while he was under the influence of alcohol and/or marijuana, the DNR said.
Trout did not remember the exact times and dates but provided Varriale with a map of where the shootings took place and admitted to shooting at least five deer, according to the DNR.
Trout initially denied the history of offenses until he was presented with a series of text messages where he openly told people about his illegal activities. Officers seized Trout’s firearm, crossbow, homemade spear and additional evidence.
Turtle investigation
On June 7, Varriale began investigating a new tip that Trout was spearing turtles at Pine Lake, also located in Cedar Springs.
The caller reported that Trout has been seen fishing late at night and leaving multiple lines unattended. Additionally, Trout has been seen spearing and leaving snapping turtles on the shore.
During the June investigation, Trout blamed family members for the unattended fishing lines, and stated he speared the snapping turtles because he feared for his children’s safety while they were fishing. Varriale located multiple speared turtles, including one with a spear still in it, among other evidence.
In Michigan, snapping turtles can be harvested from July 15-Sept. 15 using a trap or a hook and line.
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