112 Chris Gilkey – Ohio Division of Wildlife

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.  Our Sponsors:  Thin Green Line Podcast Don Noyes Chevrolet Sovereign Sportsman Solutions “A Cowboy in the Woods” Book Hunt of a Lifetime Maine's Operation Game Thief Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH International Wildlife Crimestoppers 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 Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Google Waypoint Stitcher TuneIn Megaphone Find More Here: Website Warden’s Watch / TGL Store Facebook Facebook Fan Page Instagram Twitter YouTube RSS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices