Turn In Poacher's (TIP) Reports

DES MOINES, Iowa – Two South Carolina men pleaded guilty to poaching deer today and were fined $2,137, ordered to pay $24,000 in liquidated damages and forfeited more than $5,000 worth of equipment. Liquidated damages in Iowa are based on the value of the deer racks.

Michael Sillanpaa, Jr., 38, of Summerville, S.C., and David Gordon, 38, of Goose Creek, S.C., were arrested for poaching deer after Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers executed a search warrant at 1 a.m., Nov. 10, at a Des Moines area hotel. Officers also searched a local residence and their vehicle. The DNR seized two shotguns, two crossbows, a rifle and other equipment as well as the deer.

“We never would have known about this if it was not for a concerned citizen who picked up the phone and called in a tip,” said DNR Conservation Officer Brandon Bergquist.

Sillanpaa and Gordon came to Iowa in late October, bought a small game license and paid the habitat fee so, if questioned they would have a reason to be out in the woods.

Officers immediately began surveillance of the men, even viewing them purchase a $1,060 crossbow from a local sporting goods store. Officers followed as Sillanpaa and Gordon spent their time driving all day through Big Creek State Park and Springbrook State Park, until they found something they wanted to kill, said Conservation Officer Jeff Swearngin.

The men killed both deer by shooting crossbows from their vehicle during the day then returned at night to cut off the head. The men shot two buck deer; one scoring 148 and the other scoring 135. Game wardens in South Carolina seized three shoulder mounts and two sets of antlers from Iowa poached deer and shipped them back to Iowa. According to South Carolina wardens, Sillanpaa has a history of poaching in South Carolina.

“These guys were so good at poaching that without the tip, we would never have known about it,” Swearngin said. They had been poaching deer in Iowa since at least 1998.

Deer poaching is occurring all over Iowa from about middle October through January and is at epic levels, said Bergquist. “Iowa’s trophy buck resource draws the best poachers from all over the country,” he said. “Taking these guys out is nice, but there are hundreds more out there just like them.”

Swearngin and Bergquist were assisted by Iowa conservation officers Craig Lonneman, Craig Cutts, Allen Crouse, Jason Sandholt, Craig Roberg and Mike Ryan. Federal Agent Justin Mayes also assisted with the case.

For more information, contact Officer Jeff Swearngin at 515-238-4849 or Officer Brandon Bergquist at 515-238-5006.

TIP CALL RESULTS IN FELONY CHARGE AGAINST NEBRASKA MAN

DES MOINES - An anonymous call to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line has resulted in felony charges being filed against a Nebraska man.

Rodger Blanchard, 44, of Bellevue, Neb., has been charged as a felon in possession of a firearm stemming from alleged illegal hunting activity in Taylor County. He is also being charged with numerous other fish and wildlife violations.

DNR Conservation Officers Deb Howe and Andrea Bevington, along with Special Agent Darren Hampton of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, began investigating Blanchard's activities after receiving the anonymous TIP call on Dec. 12 alleging that he was violating Iowa deer hunting regulations.

In conducting an investigation, consent searches were executed on Blanchard's vehicle, his father's vehicle, his parent's residence in Sharpsburg and his primary residence in Bellevue, Neb. When he was initially stopped by officers, Blanchard was in possession of three firearms and assorted ammunition. As a convicted felon, Blanchard is barred from possession of firearms.

The three firearms and ammunition were seized by officers, as were one mounted buck, packaged deer meat, two Iowa resident deer tags, Iowa resident hunting, fishing and deer licenses and an Iowa ID. It is alleged that Blanchard has been using the Iowa ID to purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses since 2000 even though he has been a resident of Bellevue, Neb. for approximately the last seven years.

In addition to the charge of felon in possession of a firearm, Blanchard is also charged with illegal taking of a whitetail deer (doe), illegal possession of a whitetail deer (buck), false claim for resident hunting and fishing licenses, no valid hunting license, no valid deer tag and no valid fishing license. The DNR will be seeking restitution of $10,000 for the deer.

"This is a classic example of how only a name and a couple of minor details called into the TIP hotline resulted in multiple charges being filed against an individual suspected of being involved in the violation of a number of Iowa fish and game laws," said Howe.

The DNR and ATF were assisted by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office and the Lennox Police Department.

For more information, contact Conservation Officer Deb Howe 712-520-0507 or Conservation Officer Andrea Bevington 712-520-0508.