COLUMBUS, Ohio – Christopher M. Waters, 44, of Loris, South Carolina, recently pleaded guilty in Mount Vernon Municipal Court to 12 deer and wild turkey hunting violations in Knox County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

A Division of Wildlife investigation revealed Waters committed wildlife violations from December 2022 to November 2023 while visiting Ohio. Waters pleaded guilty to the 12 counts in November 2024. He was ordered to pay $4,110.67 in restitution and $300 in fines, forfeited hunting implements, and had his hunting license revoked for three years.

The 12 counts included:

Hunting without a license
Hunting without a deer permit
Possession of white-tailed deer without a valid game check confirmation number
Possession of turkey taken in violation of law
Spotlighting
Hunting deer after hours
Hunting deer with the aid of a motor vehicle
Failure to game check deer (two counts)
Leaving deer in possession of another without a valid game check confirmation number (two counts)
Hunting deer with a rifle other than a straight-walled cartridge rifle

Two other defendants in the case also pleaded guilty to multiple violations.

Cody Muncie, 35, of Howard, pleaded guilty to five counts: failure to game check a deer, possession of deer without a valid confirmation number, providing false information when game checking a deer, spotlighting, and hunting deer after hours. He was ordered to pay $5,741.25 in restitution and $200 in fines, forfeited all evidence, and had his hunting license revoked for two years.

Douglas Hartman, 40, of Mount Vernon, pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to game check a deer, one count of hunting deer without a permit, and one count of hunting turkey without a permit. He was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and $200 in fines, forfeited all evidence, and had his hunting license revoked for two years.

The Division of Wildlife is dedicated to enforcing laws that protect Ohio’s wildlife. Input and concern from the public are integral to those enforcement efforts. Anyone who witnesses a wildlife violation in Ohio can call the Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437). Reports are kept anonymous. Information that results in a conviction of a wildlife crime may result in a reward.

Ohio wildlife officers have statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. As state law enforcement officers, they contribute to public safety in their local areas and Ohio’s great outdoors. They also speak to hundreds of clubs and groups about conservation and wildlife programs, perform fish and wildlife surveys, and provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor related recreation.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.