Chris Bates
“King Louie” – Montgomery County
DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement has learned the antler size of a popular buck killed unlawfully last year in Montgomery County.
On December 5, 2024, DEC received complaints regarding the potential poaching of a well-known buck, nicknamed “King Louie”, in Johnstown, New York, by a local hunter. Photos of the impressive deer, known for its unique antlers, circulated through social media and text chains, eliciting many concerns in the community. ECOs Bohling and Bevis launched an immediate investigation, canvassed the area, and worked closely with Fulton County ECO Manns and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in search of evidence. The Officers interviewed a witness who reported seeing and touching the buck on the hunter’s truck, which led to the defendant eventually admitting to unlawfully shooting the deer from the roadway on land he didn’t have permission to be on.
ECOs confiscated the buck and issued several tickets, including a misdemeanor for illegally taking big game, returnable to the Town of Mohawk Court. On Jan. 8, 2025, the defendant pleaded guilty to all charges, resulting in a $3,000 fine, five-year hunting license revocation, and mandatory completion of a New York State Hunter Safety Course. The buck’s antlers were scored at 174 1/8” gross, which is potentially a record, unfortunately, the buck is ineligible for the record books due to its illegal harvest.
