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Illegal deer kill reported in Weirton

WEIRTON — An area resident has plead to charges in connection with an illegal deer kill in the city, according to the West Virginia Natural Resources Police.

In a post of the WVNRP Facebook page, the agency reported receiving a complaint on Sunday from a resident.

“The landowner had noticed some blood on his property,” Officer Stephen Haines explained when contacted Thursday.

As part of the investigation, Haines said the landowner informed him of a large buck seen on his property a few days prior. The landowner also reported an individual who lived nearby who had requested permission to hunt on the property, but was denied.

According to the social media post, Haines tracked remaining physical evidence, which was being washed away by rain, to a neighboring garage. Haines interviewed the individual, who he said admitted to several violations.

Haines explained it is the agency’s policy to not release the names of individuals charged.

“He’s already plead guilty,” Haines said Thursday.

Haines also could not disclose in what area of the city the incident took place.

Haines explained the individual was not a registered participant in the city’s controlled bow hunt, and did not have a license.

“It was a poor moment with this individual,” Haines said, noting the individual had no prior criminal record. “He made a bad choice.”

Haines noted the deer was taken to H&H Deer Shop, located on Eldersville Road in Follansbee, to be donated to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

“They work with CHANGE here locally,” Haines said. “They help to feed the less fortunate in our area.”

The program also receives donations as part of Weirton’s in-city controlled bow hunt, with Haines noting between 30 and 50 deer are donated each year by hunters who are registered for that hunt.

Haines said in the event residents suspect individuals are illegally hunting, to contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

“We never want people to approach suspects in the woods,” Haines said, adding the DNR currently has 12 officer positions available in West Virginia.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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