Nicholas Patnode, 19, and Zander Garrett, 20, were arraigned Monday in Kalkaska County District Court in Kalkaska for multiple wildlife violations that took place throughout Kalkaska County during October-November 2022.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers began the complex investigation in 2022 after receiving a tip through the DNR Report All Poaching hotline.
Conservation officers discovered a group of individuals who had committed multiple wildlife crimes, including several counts of shooting deer from a motor vehicle, game-tagging violations and animal cruelty charges.
The Kalkaska men are believed to have illegally killed at least six deer, including a 9-point buck shot from the window of a truck. They are also accused of inhumanely killing a porcupine.
“When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far. These crimes need to be addressed,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Prosecution of these acts will hopefully deter not only these individuals but others from committing similar crimes in the future.”
Haines praised the work of his investigators.
“Our officers conducted a very thorough investigation to piece together many pieces of evidence from throughout the county,” he said.
Patnode’s 11 charges, include:
Garrett's charges include:
Garrett and Patnode were arrested April 12 on felony charges; their bond was paid, and they were released the next day. They are due back in court on May 20.
A third man, who the DNR is not naming because of his age at the time the crime was committed, processed a plea agreement through the county’s juvenile court.
Anyone who witnesses a natural resource violation should immediately call or text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800. Information can be left anonymously. Monetary rewards may be offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of violators.
The DNR is currently hiring conservation officers for a January 2025 training academy. Applications are due by May 23.
Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.
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