2008.12.22
Michael Allen comes clean on illegal kill, publicly apologizes
Well, folks, we have some resolution on the Michael Allen seven-pointer story and it's not what I was hoping for.
Conservation police officer Greg Funkhouser called me on Friday morning and told me that he had just written Allen two citations regarding his killing a third buck in Roanoke County and checking it in as a Franklin County kill.
Funkhouser said Allen told him the truth from the outset and was cooperative. That helped as Funkhouser didn't go as hard on him as he could have. Allen got hit with a $281 pre-payable fine and had to forfeit the seven-pointer (which Funkhouser said was a really nice buck).
We all know that this kind of stuff happens out there. People violate fish and game laws, and some get caught. (I always say that if you're a regular violator, it's not a matter of if you'll get caught, but when you'll get caught.) Anyway, unfortunately for Allen, it's happening in public view.
We also know that a fine and and a lost buck are the least of Allen's "punishments." The real blow in fish and game violations is to a person's reputation. Sure, some people don't care. For those who do, recovering from something like this isn't easy. To his credit, Allen is doing the right thing now and facing this. He just sent me this e-mail and asked me to post it:
"MARK HEY MAN FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO REALLY EXPRESS HOW SORRY I AM FOR LIEING TO YOU AND ALL OF THE VIEWERS OF THIS WEBSITE. I REALLY REGRET DOING WHAT I DID IN TAKING THE DEER AND EXCEEDING THE LIMIT. I DO HUNT A PLACE IN FERRUM AND AFTER ALL THE STUFF WAS SAID AND DONE I PANICKED AND WAS LIKE WELL HECK I CAN JUST TELL THEM I KILLED IT IN FERRUM SINCE I CHECKED IT IN THERE. I TALKED TO A FEW BUDDIES AND THEY WERE LIKE WHAT IS THE ODDS OF 1 OUT OF 200,000 DEER HUNTERS IN VIRGINIA GETTING CAUGHT AND WELL LOOK IT DOES HAPPEN AND IT IS NOT WORTH ALL THE EMBARRASSMENT THAT GOES ALONG. AND NOT TO MENTION LOSING THE DEER OF A LIFETIME AND A FINE.
ME AND THE GAME WARDEN HAD A LONG TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND I TOLD HIM THAT I HAVE ONLY BEEN HUNTING FIVE YEARS AND THE FIRST THREE YEARS I WENT I NEVER SAW A DEER ONE IN THE WOODS. LAST YEAR I KILLED MY FIRST DEER WITH A MUZZLELOADER. AND THIS YEAR I DONT KNOW WHAT I AM DOING DIFFERENT BUT I HAVE HAD DEER ALL OVER ME. THAT DAY WHEN I WENT OUT I HAD EVERY INTENTION OF TAGGING MY LAST DOE AND BEING DONE FOR THE YEAR. I TOLD GREG THAT WHEN THE BUCK CAME OUT I GRABBED MY BOW AND SHOT NOT THINKING. ME AND GREG CONTINUED TO TALK ABOUT IT THAT DAY AND HE ASKED ME DID I BAIT DEER AND "NO" I DONT. I KNOW I'VE DONE WRONG TAKING THE DEER AND EXCEEDING THE LIMIT BUT ALL MY DEER HAVE CAME FROM LONG TIMES SITTING IN THE WOODS THIS PAST SUMMER AND FALL WITH A VIDEO CAMERA AND TRAIL CAMERAS WATCHING THE DEERS EVERYMOVE. I HAVE NEVER BAITED ANY KIND OF ANIMAL WITH ANY KIND OF STUFF AND HE ASKED ME IF HE WAS TO GO LOOK AT MY STAND SPOTS WOULD HE FIND ANY I VOLUNTEERED THAT SECOND TO RIDE WITH HIM TO EVERY SPOT AND SHOW HIM MY STAND AND ANY PLACE I HUNTED TO SHOW HIM THAT I DO NOT BAIT DEER OR ANY OTHER KIND OF ANIMAL. I KNOW I SCREWED UP KILLING ONE TO MANY BUT I HAVE NEVER TAKING AN ANIMAL OVER BAIT.
WELL MARK I WANT TO APOLIGIZE TO YOU AGAIN AND THE VIEWERS OF THIS SITE. I HAVE DEFINALTEY LEARNED MY LESSON AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING THAT STUPID AGAIN. I MADE A MISTAKE AND I AM SORRY. IF YOU WANT U CAN POST THIS ON THE BLOG SO EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO WRONG IT DOES COME BACK TO GET YOU AN IT WILL HAPPEN SO AGAIN SORRY FOR ALL THE TROUBLE AND I HAVE DEFINATLEY LEARNED MY LESSON."
You have acknowledge what you did many of us would say why? Not only do you have to live with that decision but your family must also suffer for what you did. thats the sad part.
For criminals I usually demand the harshest penalties, if it was a doe I could sympathize it was for the meat, each time I've been hunting it was for a doe, but in your case it was a trophy buck.
Your apology falls on deaf ears.
Comment by Static Lines — December 22, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Hunting does not need the negative publicity instances like this generate. While I am glad Michael has apologized, I don't think the damage we all (hunters) will suffer can be undone. And I hope that the lesson he has learned is to never take anything illegally again and not to just avoid the stupidity of bragging about it in a public forum. I think maybe some community service like speaking about the consequences of his actions to young hunters at Hunter Safety classes would be in line as well.
Thanks Mark for the chance to vent a little. Unethical hunting will be the wedge that eventually could end our pasttime as we know it. I also hope this doesn't reflect badly on the great job you do here.
Comment by Dutch — December 23, 2008 @ 8:13 am
To Michael's credit, It takes a big man to come clean as he has & then ask you to post his letter to you on the website ! He has learned a lesson & I hope he continues to be a successful hunter !
Wayne H.
Comment by Wayne Huffman — December 23, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Part of me admires Michael for 'coming clean', but this was done only AFTER he got caught. I hope he is truly sorry for commiting the crime, and not just sorry that he got caught. I don't know which of his actions were more of a 'no brainer': killing the deer illegally, or publicly bragging about it. I hope, as true sportsman, we can all learn from this.
Comment by Joe — December 23, 2008 @ 9:58 am
I still think that the ability for people to be able to check game by phone is one of the problems. I hate that Michael is having to go through this, but he did break the law. And he must have to pay for that. I don't think that bloggers slamming the guy is right either. Let the law handle it. I know Funkhouser, and believe me he is a hard-a--. He will make the right decision for all of us. I think that if hunters had to go to a check station, some of these law infractions would not be as easy for them to get away with. I think that there will be more does checked in by phone, than were killed. Because of counties having the earn a buck program, people that just hunt bucks will just call in a doe. It makes it too easy for people to break the law when they can just call in game versus taking it a checking station. I myself used to work at a game check station, and we had to look at all game that was being checked. I know that this wouldn't stop all illegal hunting but it has to help. I know the ease of checking game by phone, and I do use this method. I just think that it is to easy to misuse this method.
Comment by arrow-only — December 23, 2008 @ 10:06 am
Thanks for the comments. I have a couple thoughts on points that have been brought up.
I agree that something like this can reflect poorly on the hunting community. And I know there are some who can't understand how someone who is a obviously a huge proponent of hunting would publish stories about illegal or unethical hunter behavior, or other less-than-flattering stories. It's a responsibility of the job, pure and simple.
On the other hand, I also think what we have here actually reflects pretty well on the hunting community. First, you have some hunters who took notice of something suspicious and took action. That's clear and obvious proof that we police our own ranks.
Second, the comments in the wake of this show that we are generally rational, sensible people who want to do things the right way.
As for arrow-only's concern about electronic checking, yes, it's valid. I hear that concern frequently. Just yesterday a friend wrote me a note saying he believed part of the reason the electronic check numbers are so off the charts in Bedford County this fall is because hunters are calling in "phantom" does to satisfy earn-a-buck requirements.
My thinking is that this system isn't turning people into game violators. A guy isn't sitting there going, "Wow, now I can cheat." If he's cheating now, he was cheating before. Admittedly, this has made it easier.
I have no clue how many people may be doing that. I guess we'll have to see what happens with deer kill numbers in those earn-a-buck counties. If people are supposedly killing boatloads of does and the annual kill totals continue to climb, that would indicate that maybe they aren't killing as many as they say they are. We won't be able to make that determination for a couple of years.
As for electronic checking, like with just about everything, there are trade-offs. Electronic checking saves the DGIF money, and it saves hunters time and money. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? In my opinion, yes. I use the system and really appreciate having the option.
Here's the other thing, if a guy is abusing the phone-in check system (or doing anything else illegal) chances are he's not the only one who is aware of the violation. He's going to talk. If you don't turn him in -- and, let's admit it, no one likes the idea of turning in a buddy, myself included -- then we can't complain but so much about the system, can we?
Thanks to everyone for reading, and extra thanks to those who take the extra time to offer comments.
mt
Comment by marktaylor — December 23, 2008 @ 11:37 am
I think we have all been faced with the question Michael had to face, I am an ethical hunter and always check my game and follow the regulations. Unfortunately we all face the consequence of actions like this. How many people bait and bend the rules and make it harder for us to take quality game legally.I dislike the idea of thinking that the adjoining properties are baiting or other illegal ractices and affecting my ability to hunt for a trophy legally. How many of us are out of the woods right at 30 min after sunset . I know alot of hunters stay til "pitch dark" which is illegal. I am a believer that I could just bend the rule once and be the one to get caught so i follow the rules. The risk of breaking the law and the consequnces the DGIF can inflict(loss of weapon, property, Hunting Privelege.) just arent worth it to me. I do not know Michael so i will not judge him. I am sure that we have all had scenarios where we have questioned ourselves. The difference is what your final decision is with yourself .
Comment by rob — December 23, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
I hunt Franklin quite a lot and need a little clarification. Mr. Allen killed his first two bucks in Franklin and the last one in Roanoke County. Did he not use his east tag on one of the first two deer? I thought is was legal to kill a third buck west of the blue ridge as long as one of the other two tags were used in the east. Am I not correct?
Comment by Chris French — December 23, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
I think that there are a lot of good points in the posts above. Especially the points that were made on the phone in checking. It doesn't take an extraordinarily smart individual to break the law either by phone or out in the field. Just about anyone could do it any day of the week (including Sunday) and get away with it more often than not. I know that the DGIF has it's hands full and does not have unlimited funds to accomplish it's purpose. I would personally love to see more Officers out checking hunters and fishermen but that's just me.
The real responsibility lies in us to learn, know, and follow the laws that are written and to harvest game and fish using those laws as the rules of the game that cannot be broken. I believe that is the whole meaning of hunting; not how many, how big, or how much can I get away with, it's can I follow the rules and harvest an animal within the confines of the rules that were set for me to follow.
Comment by Bob — December 23, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
MT, you could have gone to any hunting store in the valley and people have made comments about this. I just fill, and it is my opinion, that the state has made it easier for people to cheat the system. I have used the call in method, and yes it does have its advantages. But you can never take away the fact that people will always break the law, no matter how they have it set-up. As for saving money, I feel that the state took money away from the mom and pop stores by adding this system. Not as many hunters will visit these out of the way places to check game; which inturn they will not purchase from these stores. Taking money away from them. Also for ever hunting or fishing license sold, the store gets an amount per license for selling them. I remember going to my local checking station, and part of the fun was talking to the other hunters and looking at other game that had been taken. I personal feel that if the state of Virginia is taking away, the fellowship that made hunitng. I am just worried that this will end up taking it away from the future sport. Hunting is turning away from its simple roots, and going to main stream.
Comment by arrow-only — December 23, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Nevermind. After reading his posting again, I see that he killed the first two in Roanoke County. Not too smart.
Comment by Chris French — December 23, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Michael, did not wish to hear this outcome. Seems like there is a lot of ticked off people here. Everyone has great points and I am shocked to hear of such going on, but you are not the only one doing it I would guess. Its unbelievable how we as hunters have became so obsessed with a "big buck".I just hope you are not doing anything else illegal out there.Hard to believe 3 nice bucks came from the same stand, that just does not happen it seems around here. It's not worth it Michael!
Yes I think the penalty should have been a lot more but then again, the embarassment is enough its self. I wish I could hand out some sympathy, but you did it to yourself by bragging on a fine deer no doubt. When you killed this deer, you knew it was wrong, and to appologize now, I don't want to hear it!Sad thing is you drug your girlfriend in it as well. We have rules as hunters for a reason, to hopefully keep guys like you away from our woods.Again, I hate to give such bad remarks because all three deer are nice, very nice, and it takes guts to re-post what you did. But to ask forgiveness from any hunter who follows the rules, that isn't going to happen. Your family and girlfriend is the ones who need the appology.
Comment by Jason B. — December 23, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
arrow-only
The ability to express ones thought is what I had joined the military for and served honorably, and by this freedom I slam any and all criminal acts.
This past summer I helped some guys get gas for their car only for them to break into my vehicle and steal from me. You have the right to dislike my comments and ideals that what to country was founded on the, The Freedom Of Choice.
Not the right to break the law, just today there was an article on line of a 17 yr old kid being sentence to prison for 25 yrs for 4 murders and his lawyer stated that when he gets out he will still have a chance at life. That mongrel should have gotten the death penalty.
A deer don't have the same status as a human life and I pray never will but a crime has been committed do I think his punishment should be harsher of course not, but I'm subject to the same laws as he, I'm delegated to hunt in inhospitable areas and Mark Taylor is only the second person willing to hunt with me.
After saying all that, The Freedom of speech
is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. Any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
Comment by Static Lines — December 24, 2008 @ 1:40 am
A follow up on the call in game check system---As a 15 year veteran of owning & managing outdoor stores I think the call in system is one of the worst things the Va DGIF has ever done ! As mentioned in one of the previous posts it has taken away much of the NEEDED traffic at the hunting and Mom & Pop country stores. A lot of the hunters I talk too seem to have the impression that the DGIF simply does not care anymore!
MANY hunters have admitted getting home with a deer with intentions of calling it in then just saying the heck with it. Of course if we kill a nice buck we want to be able to have some bragging rights so many times they are brought it to be checked but otherwise many are just left hanging ! ( no pun intended )
Comment by Wayne Huffman — December 24, 2008 @ 8:13 am
The reaction to Michael Allen's apology is about what I expected. I figured response would be across the board.
I REALLY appreciate that everyone has been cordial, even if your comments have been tough. I have not had to disapprove a single comment submitted. That says something. Thanks.
As for comments on electronic checking, everyone brings up good points. One of the regular complaints has been regarding the impact on mom and pop stores. Usually, those comments are coming from just regular hunters. Wayne, thanks for providing some inside perspective.
When you're talking about some of the busier check stations -- Old Mill in Botetourt, for example -- you're talking about quite a few people. I seem to recall that Old Mill checked something like 500 deer a year. Losing 60 percent (300) of them is no small number. We all know how mom and pop stores are struggling and I hate to think that declining visits from hunters are a contributor.
One other interesting point Wayne brought up is the perception that it shows the game department doesn't care. Do you mean doesn't care about mom and pop stores? Or doesn't care about hunters? I could see how it could be the former. Before electronic checking and electronic license sales, small merchants were part of the team. Now, they're expendable. Now way around it.
Again, everyone, thanks for reading and for the comments.
mt
Comment by marktaylor — December 24, 2008 @ 9:01 am
static lines,
I don't think that I said anything about the freedom of speech. I even said "my opinion" that is freedom of speech. Also I did not support or praise Michael, for the act that he committed. I simple said that bloggers, such as you and me, have no reason slamming the guy. I also said that we should let the law handle this issue. As for you being in the armed forces well, I am proud of you and I respect you for that. As for what the country was founded on comment, that you stated I have the right to disagree with a service that the state provides. That is my right, and I know that you fought for me to have that right. So thanks. As for comparing this crime to a young boy murdering someone is just ridiculous. You sound like you need a little more time away from the newspaper and a little more time with the good book. I also respect the fact that you hunt in "inhospitable" areas and that MT hunts with you. I myself grew-up hunting National Forest, but have since moved to hunting leased farms. I don't think, that where you hunt makes you a judge of character.I think that you need to reread my post again. Because once again the post was regarding the fact that the state of Virginia has made it easier for people to break the law, and get away with it. Since the ablilty to check game in by phone. I agree with everyone on this board that Micheal broke the law. Either by accident of not, he should have to pay for the crime that he committed. But you wanting to beat your chest about where you hunt and being a veteran is not what this is about. So your comments shall be overlooked and ignored. I hope that you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good-luck next hunting season in those "inhospitable" places. Thanks Arrow-Only
-Static Lines and I haven't actually hunted together. Discussed it but it hasn't come together. mt
Comment by arrow-only — December 24, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Cordial I will try and be by sympathetic I will not. I do NOT think you got what you deserved Mr. Allen. In my oponion you should not be allowed to hunt in the Commonwealth of Virginia for at least 3 years and your fine should have been a lot steeper. I think bragging on this site with such an arrogant article that sounds like some narriative off a Michael Waddell tv show, then getting caught in a lie and trying to cover it up right on the web page shows what kind of person you really are. You're not a hunter, you're a poacher. I think you're sorry you got caught, not sorry of the illegal act you committed. I'm sure Mo didnt "teach" you this style of taking deer and am sure he wouldn't approve of your actions. Like the above poster said, your apology falls on deaf ears.
Comment by Richard Jones — December 24, 2008 @ 10:16 am
arrow-only
To post a comment and not expect a response is a word that eludes me for right now. Do I believe this man should be sentenced as a murderer, that is absolute nonsense to even think that a man poaching a deer should be sentence in the same manner for a man.
In your post you said: "I don't think that bloggers slamming the guy is right either".
Translated people do not have the right to say anything about what he did wrong. And being a citizen of the United States that help elect the governing body that should enforce the will of the people in a free and democratic election, again I have the right to say what I will.
As I stated Mark has never hunted with me, yet he has asked in the future we should get together, and that's more than any person have said that I've help stranded in the area since moving here in the past 5 years.
Your appreciation of my service to this country is noted, far as beating my chest is something animals do and I am far from that. I have no ego to bruise or anything to prove, he made his apology known and as a hunter a tax paying citizens he can keep it.
When he contribute to the community then his debt will be paid. Being a Veteran is nothing to be ashamed for me, those whom didn't answer the call or don't have what it takes will always look down on the uniform, until the need arises they will criticize the uniform for not being there sooner.
I hunt inhospitable places to avoid vandals,from vandalizing my vehicle again, and I've found that people find my presence unwanted on their private property So hunting outside the box is what I'm left with.
A good lesson for all concern parties to learn call the VDGIF Warden and ask him when is the next time he's going to be in court, I did and it was "VERY EYE OPENING"! Just to hear the hunting law breakers.
Still being hypocritical is not my style, Yet if you have read my past post their are a large number of deer over running the area most of which appears to be does this should have been his target and the VDGIF should lengthen the season to reduce the numbers and maybe this thing wouldn't happen in the future.
If VDGIF had deer going by these check stations instead of people complaining of hunters being there maybe these small stores would generate more revenue to stay in business, or maybe a greedy Governor should start thinking of it's people instead siphoning funds from the hunting public for some hair brain project.
In the future if a veteran bring up his service, you should consider what they did instead of what they don't because when it all boils down Mr. Allen broke the law...
And veterans when ensure the freedom of this country through sacrifices long after our time is up. And those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
Comment by Static Lines — December 24, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Merry Christmas to all of contributors of Mark Taylors Blog, All hunters and fishermen alike have my warmest heart felt feelings.
And continued success in the coming year 2009. If we don't ban together the new administration may have us standing alone.
Comment by Static Lines — December 24, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
He didn't loose his hunting privileges at all? No forfeiture of hunting license?
Wow
Comment by Stu — December 26, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
i still question baiting or late hour. to hunt 5 yrs an barely see deer to 3 trophies in a yr. Smells like catfish bait to me.
Comment by rg — December 29, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
The miracle of modern technology. This should make dumb crook news! You kill 3 bucks then get on the internet and tell the whole world! I guess you won't be so quick to brag next time will ya.
Comment by J — December 30, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
My hat's off to Officer Funkhouser for pursuing this criminal. Hopefully the courts now and in the future will punish these thieves to the fullest extent. Unfortunately I sometimes feel the justice system is simply too lax on punishment for game related crimes.Some other states realize the true value of not only the hunting experience, but the financial impact hunters make to the economy. In the Commomwealth, I feel that the system and the game thieves feel that 'It's only a deer'.
Mr. Allen, may all the true sportsmen and women of this fine Commonwealth see you as you are, a simple, simple poacher. You, my friend, are not worthy of the right and privledge to enjoy the great outdoors. I sincerely hope Officer Funkhouser and his fellow CPO's stay on you and your's like Tink's on a Stink Bomb.
Every deer you have taken and will take in the future is and will forever be tainted. The damage has been done. If it's just about dead deer, maybe the state will allow you to pick up road kill for a while as part of any community service you might receive.
Comment by Bobby Olsen — December 31, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
This whole case seems minor compared to the writer/Big Buck Instructor from Buena Vista a couple years ago who finally got caught speeding at 0200 in the morning with one of his trophy bucks in the back of his pickup and cop thought something wasn't right when he had the anthers covered with a wheelbarrow and it was discovered susposely killed at night. Have never heard the final outcome but undersand he did plead guilty. I wonder what his fine was???????????
--Good point and question. I agree that it goes to another level when the "hunter" in question is a public figure. It's the basic reason we'll report a misdemeanor for someone like a Virginia Tech football player but won't report the offense if it's just an average Joe. Normally this Michael Allen thing would get any attention from us, but because the whole thing unfolded in a public forum it was a different thing. Anyway, I remember getting a press release on the case to which you refer (Daren Wood). He was accused a shooting the buck with a muzzleloader at night. I just did a basic search of Virginia Courts Case Information and couldn't find anything on the case. That is strange because even if he was exonerated it seems it would remain in the system with a note that the charges were dismissed. Now that I'm curious I may do a little more digging. mt
Comment by Rockbridge hunter — January 2, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
This guy spoke only because he was caught. I know of people who have salt blocks on their property out in Floyd, and they don't think it is wrong to lure deer. The situation would change if they were caught doing their "bad" habit!
Comment by novice hunter — February 14, 2009 @ 12:54 am