Ohio Wildlife Officers Honored for Busting Record-Breaking ‘Alexander Buck’ Poaching Case

In a landmark case for Ohio’s wildlife conservation efforts, Wildlife Officers Isaiah Gifford and Matt Roberts of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife have been recognized with the prestigious Pope and Young Club’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Award. 

The officers were honored for their relentless investigation into a high Rogues’ Gallery-style poaching case involving the largest typical white-tailed deer ever recorded in Ohio history. This marks the first time Ohio officers have received this national award from the Pope and Young Club, a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of North American big game populations.

At the heart of the case is the “Alexander Buck,” an 18-point whitetail deer with an extraordinary antler score, making it the largest typical whitetail deer ever documented in Ohio. The deer, illegally hunted in Clinton County, became the focal point of a complex investigation that exposed a web of deceit and violations. 

The primary offender, Christopher “CJ” Alexander, a 28-year-old resident of Wilmington, Ohio, faced a staggering 23 felony charges, including illegal hunting without permission, theft by deception, hunting without a license, and tampering with evidence. Additional misdemeanor charges included falsification and the illegal sale of wildlife parts. Investigations revealed that Alexander falsely claimed he had permission to hunt on his sister’s property, but the deer was actually poached on private land 10 miles away. To cover his tracks, Alexander staged the scene, further compounding his offenses.

Another individual, 31-year-old Zachary Haunert from Lebanon, was also charged with two misdemeanor counts for aiding a wildlife offender, highlighting the broader network involved in the crime.

In the end, Alexander pleaded guilty to 14 counts and his penalties included a 10-year hunting license suspension, five years of community control, and a restitution payment of $35,071.73—the highest ever for a single deer in Ohio history. This substantial fine underscores the severity of the crime and should continue to serve as a deterrent to would-be poachers.

Officers Gifford and Roberts’ meticulous investigative work was instrumental in bringing Alexander to justice. Their efforts were supported by public tips received through ODNR’s Turn in a Poacher hotline.

According to the release, State Wildlife Officer Isaiah Gifford, 26, of Zanesville, has been assigned to Clinton County since 2023. He was a 2023 graduate of the Wildlife Officer Training Academy after graduating from Pensacola Christian College in 2019 with a degree in criminal justice.

Officer Matt Roberts, 44, of Greenfield, is a 2005 graduate of the Wildlife Officer Training Academy who served in Clinton County from 2005 to 2022. He graduated from Hocking College in 2001 with a degree in wildlife management and earned a second degree in forest management in 2002. Roberts has worked for the Division of Wildlife since 2003.

The recognition of both of these officers by the Pope and Young Club highlights the significance of their work in combating wildlife crime. The Alexander Buck case not only set a precedent with its record-breaking restitution but also reinforced the importance of ethical hunting practices and respect for private property rights. 

Congrats, fellas.