Michigan man charged with poaching and wasting nine mule deer in Cody

POWELL (WNE) — Authorities say a 20-year-old Michigan man recently poached nine deer in the City of Cody, then left their carcasses to waste. 

Joshua T. Wielhouwer is alleged to have used a compound bow to kill does, bucks and a fawn between late August and early September. The mule deer were generally killed around the Park County Complex. 

Wielhouwer is currently facing 18 misdemeanor charges — nine counts of taking a game animal without a hunting license and nine of wanton destruction of a big game animal — but a prosecutor said additional charges are pending. 

“There are other incidents involving him shooting at vehicles or being contacted [for] shooting a weapon within the city limits,” Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele said at a Tuesday court hearing. 

Local game wardens believe they caught Wielhouwer in the act of killing a deer on the complex grounds on Sept. 4, but he ran away and fled the state, according to the allegations contained in charging documents and Eichele’s statements. 

“He [Wielhouwer] also posted on his Facebook account, ‘Catch me if you can,’ indicating he is not all that compliant with law enforcement,” Eichele said. 

However, the prosecutor also acknowledged that Wielhouwer ultimately returned to Cody and turned himself in on Monday night. 

At the state’s recommendation, Park County Circuit Court Magistrate Brianne Phillips set Wielhouwer’s bail at $36,000 cash; the sum was based on the restitution he could be ordered to pay — $4,000 per deer — if convicted of all the crimes. 

A jury trial in the case is tentatively set for Feb. 6.

This story was published on September 12, 2024.