Michigan hunter fined $15,000 for poaching

A Riley Township man was fined more than $15,000 for illegally bagging an 18-point buck in November.

Scott Malinowski, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a general violation of wildlife conservation, a misdemeanor, according to court records.

In addition to court fees and costs, Malinowski was ordered to pay $15,510 in restitution to the state for taking a deer over the permitted limit. A sentence of 90 days in jail was suspended upon successful payment of the fines and costs.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Ken Kovach said the 18-point buck was Malinowski's third antlered deer of the season.

Licensed hunters in Michigan are allowed to kill no more than two antlered deer during deer hunting season.

Kovach said he received information Nov. 15 that a man had killed three bucks and had brought the third buck, an 18-point deer, to a Richmond buck pole.

Kovach said he recovered the deer that day, and Malinowski admitted to what happened.

Malinowski's first two kills were made in October, Kovach said. The 18-point was shot in southwest St. Clair County in November.

Kovach said it did not appear Malinowski set out to poach.

"He had the legal right to be out in the woods," Kovach said. "The deer came out in front of him, and it was just opportunistic."

Lt. Arthur Green, Michigan Department of Natural Resources district law supervisor for District 9, said the hefty restitution fee is a result of new state laws to deter poaching of trophy bucks.

Public Act 175 of 2013 went into effect in February 2014. Instead of a flat restitution fee of $1,000, the fine increases depending on the deer's antlers. The changes include:

■ The base fee for poaching any deer, with or without antlers, is $1,000.

■ Someone who poaches an antlered deer pays an additional restitution of $1,000.

■ For an antlered deer with 8 to 10 points, another $500 per point is added to the restitution.

■ For an antlered deer with 11 or more points, an additional $750 per point is added to the restitution.

Green said hunters are still learning about the new restitution fees.

"Every year, we have things like this happen all around the state," Green said.

"With this new law and with the restitution set like this, it's just a matter of time before the public hears what the cost is to take a trophy illegally and it may discourage some of this."

According to court records, Malinowski paid the court fees and restitution Wednesday.

The Times Herald was unable to locate a working phone number for Malinowski.

Beth LeBlanc is a reporter for the Port Huron Times Herald. Contact her at (810) 989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.