Woman and three teenagers suspected of shooting or killing more than 100 deer in Wisconsin

FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin — A 36-year-old woman and three 16-year-old boys are suspected of shooting or killing more than 100 deer in a 200-square-mile (518-square-kilometer) area in eastern Wisconsin.

The poaching occurred between spring 2023 and last July in Fond du Lac, Dodge and Washington counties, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

A searchlight was used after dark to find deer in the fields. The deer were then slaughtered. The heads of some deer with large antlers were cut off. The suspects were also driving with the intent of hitting deer on the roadways, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Selfies” were taken with a deer that was struck and placed in the vehicle, Sheriff Ryan F. Waldschmidt said in the release.

“They drove to various locations with the deer still alive and suffering in the trunk or back seat and continued to produce video clips documenting their travels with the injured deer,” he said.

Investigators also believe geese, raccoons, opossums, turtles and other animals were harassed.

The suspects are from Campbellsport, the sheriff’s office said. Campbellsport is about 50 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

The charges were brought before prosecutors.