ERIE – Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Michael D. Wojtecki recently filed four Game and Wildlife Code charges against Michael James Renzi, 31, and Maurice Allen Page, 28, both of Erie, for a poaching incident on Nov. 5. All charges were filed in District Judge Christopher MacKendrick’s office in Erie.
Renzi and Page were each charged with one count of unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife, which carries a fine up to $800 each, plus court cost. Renzi and Page also were each charged with one count of restrictions on recreational spotlighting, which carries a fine up to $200 each, plus court cost.
The charges stem for an incident that occurred on Nov. 5, in Conneaut Township on Finley and Old Albion roads. The two suspects were apprehended at 12:30 am on Old Albion Road with a Remington .30-06 and a spotlight in Renzi’s Ford pick up. They had shot a large eight-point buck, with heavy antlers, long tines and a spread of 19.5 inches. The buck’s antlers rough-scored about 140 using Boone and Crocket scoring system, and would have been a trophy of a life-time for any sportsman.
“This investigation was possible through the help of a concerned resident, whose son has been hunting for this deer during the archery season and was following all of the laws and regulations as any ethical hunter would,” Wojtecki said.
Earlier, on Oct.29, Wojtecki said that David Christopher Lavery, 31, also of Erie, was found guilty by District Judge MacKendrick for two Game and Wildlife Code violations.
Wojtecki cited Lavery for unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife and unlawful acts concerning licenses. Judge MacKendrick fined Lavery $525, plus $104 in court costs.
Charges against Lavery were the result of his attempting to hunt deer on Oct. 3, at 5:30 p.m., which was one day before the legal archery season opened. Lavery was in an elevated tree stand with a bow and hunting arrows. He was dressed in full camouflage clothing.
Additionally, Lavery could not produce a valid hunting license at the time of the field inspection in a wooded area off Glosky Road in Conneaut Township.