CJ Alexander handed jail time and YUGE fines in court decision 🧑‍⚖️

Well, it’s Friday the 13th and if that’s any sort of bad omen, it can get the hell out of here.

Personally, I’m more into celebrating the fact that, while the weekend might not be here yet, your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Do not pass go - CJ Alexander handed jail time in court decision 🧑‍⚖️

• Light it up - BC man found to be jacklighting moose 🔦

• Bear borders - Wyoming making plans to protect grizzlies 🐻

• Increases inbound - Michigan set to raise license fees 💸

• Goooood morning - A man finds a big ol’ bear in his truck before work 🛻

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JUSTICE SERVED
CJ ALEXANDER SENTENCED TO JAIL TIME AND ORDERED TO PAY $42K FOR POACHING INCREDIBLE OHIO BUCK

The guy who went out of his way to illegally kill an absolute monster of an Ohio buck and attempt to cover it up was finally sentenced in court this week. The 12-month investigation came to a close in a Clinton County courtroom on Wednesday that resulted in jail time, fines and restitution for the 28-year-old. 

It was exactly one year ago when CJ Alexander broke the internet with his big buck and as the alleged cash offers rolled in for him, so did outside interest from Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources. In what was later revealed to be a massive cover up, the buck ended up being poached off a piece of private property where Alexander knowingly didn’t have permission to hunt.

In October of this year, he entered his guilty plea after feigning innocence for many months prior. With nothing left to do but await his sentencing hearing, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost broke the silence following Wednesday’s court appearance.

“Hunting in Ohio is a time-honored tradition, and there is a proper way to be safe and successful,” Yost said. “When bad actors like these guys try to cheat the system, it ruins the reputation of Ohio’s respected sportsmen and women – I can’t stand for that.”

Yost followed his heavy-handed statement with an equally harsh sentence for the Wilmington man. 

QUICK HITS // ^{_{FROM AROUND THE WEB}}

Expanded Hunting Opportunities Retain Number Of NYS Hunters: The expanded hunting seasons do allow other hunter groups to engage with the big game hunting scene in New York outside of the early archery and regular firearm season. The expanded season hunters often prefer to hunt with fewer people in the woods.  Read the full story.

BC man fined and given probation for night hunting: The investigation revealed that a moose had been shot from the road, with the vehicle's headlights used to illuminate the animal in the dark. The moose was seized by COS and distributed to members of the Nak’azdli First Nation. Read the full story.

Hemorrhaging disease could cause ‘loss of opportunity’ for Iowa deer hunters this season:  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is monitoring the spread of epizootic hemorrhagic disease and chronic wasting disease in Iowa deer and says Iowa hunters can play an important role.  Read the full story.

Wyoming to 'revisit' 399-inspired grizzly hunting ban on park border: If federal wildlife managers choose to remove grizzlies’ Endangered Species Act protections in 2025, Wyoming officials will consider altering a key piece of policy that Grizzly 399 helped enshrine: buffer zones outside of Grand Teton National Park intended to protect beloved bears like 399 from hunting.  Read the full story.

Bill raising Michigan hunting and fishing licenses prices clears committee:  Legislation that would raise hunting and fishing license fees in Michigan cleared a house committee on Thursday amid a flurry of lawmaking in Lansing as the end of the year nears. Read the full story.

Louisiana agents cite three for hunting deer illegally in Lincoln, Union parishes: On December 3, agents cited Gabriel Ovitt, 20, of Dubach, and a 17-year-old female of Dubach, for taking deer during illegal hours in Lincoln Parish. On December 8, agents cited Jeffrey Page, 48, of Farmerville, for taking deer during illegal hours in Union Parish. Read the full story.

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VIDEO // ^{_{SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN}}

🧸 It’s Tuesday morning, you’re on your way to work but first you have to deal with the YUGE cinnamon-phase black bear that locked himself in your truck overnight. How’s your morning going? Watch as this guy had to jerry-rig a door opener to free the big ol’ bruin from his truck.

I’d be skipping the coffee that day and heading straight for the whiskey…

Hell yeah.

📸 : unknown

Oh, and one more thing…

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