A Wisconsin man agreed to a plea deal in which he cannot hunt or fish for three years after admitting he shot a giant 218-inch buck out of season in November 2021.

Douglas D. Meyers, 60, of Coon Valley, agreed to the deal following an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The investigation was sparked by a call into the agency’s Violation Hotline, which is operational 24 hours a day. The call, from an anonymous citizen, reported hearing gun shots from Meyers’ property on Nov. 4, 2021.

Conservation officers charged Meyers with hunting deer during a closed season. They said he admitted to shooting a buck with a rifle during archery season, and then claiming he shot it with a crossbow. The misdemeanor charge had a maximum fine of $2,000 and six months in jail. Meyers’ plea agreement was reached in June 2023.

During the initial Nov. 10, 2021, interview between Meyers and the DNR officers at his home, Meyers said he stalked within 25 yards of the big buck and a doe with his crossbow. He said he shot it three times with the crossbow, having to cock it each time. After further questioning, Meyers admitted he shot the big buck with his rifle from behind his garage, and then stabbed it with a crossbow arrow and broadhead at the bullet wounds. He entered it in the DNR’s records as a crossbow kill.

Meyers also told officers he used harvest tags issued to his wife for bucks he shot in 2016 and 2019. She told the two investigating officers, during the initial interview, that she does not hunt. Meyers also admitted to putting out bait illegally on his property to attract deer.

The giant buck Meyers killed in November 2021 had 17 points on a wide, heavy frame. It green-scored 218 points, and Meyers entered it into some big buck contests. It has since been removed from those contests.

As part of the investigation, Wisconsin DNR officials seized the buck’s antlers, Meyers’ rifle, crossbow, the buck’s cape, meat, trail cameras, bait and the antlers from the 2016 and 2019 bucks.

“We appreciate the teamwork from citizens who care about the state’s resources and want them protected,” said Tyler Strelow, DNR Lt. Warden who supervises the wardens in La Crosse and Vernon counties. “It is important to take action against individuals who are stealing from those who hunt the Wisconsin way – legally, safely and ethically.”

Coon Valley is located in LaCrosse County on the southwest side of Wisconsin.