Trempealeau County man convicted of illegally killing 22 deer
Citizen tips pivotal in case of Trempealeau County man who illegally killed 22 deer
Conservation Warden Chris Shea credits the assistance of area sportspersons as pivotal in this month’s Trempealeau County Circuit Court conviction of a 33-year-old Galesville man who illegally killed at least 22 deer during a three-year period.
“The involvement of the local residents who truly value their natural resources was huge in the case the wardens were able to bring against Mark Kamrowski,” said Shea, who has been stationed in Trempealeau County for one year. “This case is an example of how the local citizens can partner with local conservation wardens in protecting the resources for current and future generations to enjoy.”
Kamrowski was the subject of a multi-year investigation launched by the DNR conservation wardens in 2010. Warden Robin Barnhardt initiated the investigation and was assisted by several other wardens during the following years. Shea took over the case in 2012 when he transferred to the Trempealeau County station.
“We had several individuals who provided tips regarding Mr. Kamrowski’s hunting activities that involved an illegal gravity feeder, hunting during the closed season and a few more,” Shea said. “Without their information, we never would have been able to stop this illegal hunting.”
The deer were killed on a farm between Galesville and Arcadia. “Many of the deer never left the large property,” Shea said. While Shea’s investigation was under way, Kamrowski already was serving a three-year revocation of his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for a previous illegal deer hunting conviction in Trempealeau County Court in 2010. The revocation period was from January 2010 to January 2013.
“The defendant was found to have regularly hunted and that was against the circuit court’s order,” Shea said.
Shea compiled the evidence for the Trempealeau County District Attorney who filed the charges. On August 6, the Trempealeau County Circuit Court found Kamrowski guilty of three misdemeanors: hunting deer without a license, hunting deer during closed season and possessing deer during closed season. Kamrowski lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for nine years as part of his penalty for illegally killing at least 22 deer during a three-year period of DNR license revocation.
Seven other charges were dismissed but read into the record as part of the plea agreement. Kamrowski was ordered to: pay $6,847.75 in fines, court costs and restitution; serve a 9-year hunting, fishing and trapping privileges revocation; serve two years of probation; and, complete 80 hours of community service with 10 days of jail time -- stayed if community service is completed in one year.
Kamrowski also forfeited a trail camera and two white tailed deer racks.
“This case shows how valuable citizen assistance is to wardens when it comes to cases of violations against our shared natural resources,” Shea said. “The natural resources belong to all the citizens and all the citizens can help in the protection of them.”
If you have information regarding natural resource violations, please call: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay reported information to conservation wardens. Anyone who calls the Violation Hotline or provides information can remain anonymous.