These hunters took matters into their own hands!
Oklahoma game wardens have been extremely busy with poaching incidents this fall and the public has played a huge part.
But an incident last Tuesday night gives a whole new meaning to the public's role in helping officials nab wildlife thieves. Two raccoon hunters who were nearly shot by a poacher got the guy to confess his crime to game wardens!
The two hunters were hunting raccoons in Cherokee County when they thought they'd been shot at. They quickly discovered someone had poached an 8-point buck via spotlight. What happened next was probably pretty surprising, even to the wardens!
"Taking matters into their own hands, these two cowboys rode right upon the poacher and after chastising him for the negligent discharge of a firearm, made him call Game Warden Tony Clark to confess," a Facebook post by the wardens reads.
The next day, wardens Clark and Brady May investigated the incident more thoroughly. The suspected poacher was cooperative and the man was cited for hunting with aid of an ATV, spotlighting and failure to tag the deer.
The man's rifle and the buck were confiscated in the process. Thankfully, the deer won't go to waste, as wardens say it was donated.
While the wardens appreciated the help, they don't recommend citizens confronting poachers on their own.
"Although the ODWC does not recommend witnesses make 'citizens arrest,' they can always call their local game warden or call Operation Game Thief between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-522-8039," the post reads.
Nice job, guys! Thanks for assisting wildlife officers with their difficult job!
NEXT: NEW YORK MAN ATTACKED BY RABID 10-POINT BUCK WHILE TAKING OUT THE TRASH
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