A Clinton County, Michigan, man is facing 50 combined firearm and wildlife charges after conservation officers say he spent months illegally shooting deer from his vehicle at night, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Thomas House, 26, was arraigned July 23 in 65A District Court in St. Johns. House was living in Elsie at the time of the alleged violations and now resides in St. Johns.
According to the DNR, House faces the following charges:
- Five felony weapons offenses
- One count of reckless use of a firearm
- Three counts of possessing an uncased firearm in a vehicle
- Six counts of taking game from a vehicle
- Six counts of shining with a weapon in possession
- 29 Wildlife Conservation Order violations, including hunting without a license, illegal method of take, and taking game out of season
How the Investigation Started
The case began after conservation officers received a tip through the DNR’s Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline in October 2025. The caller reported someone shooting deer from a vehicle at night using a suppressed semi-automatic rifle in northern Clinton County and southern Gratiot County.
Officers launched an extensive investigation that included interviews and search warrants approved by the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators determined that between late April and late November 2025, House repeatedly drove backroads at night, shined deer, and shot them from his vehicle — then left the animals unharvested. He reportedly documented several of the incidents on his cellphone, capturing video and photos of himself shooting deer and of the animals afterward.
The case has been submitted to both the Clinton County and Gratiot County prosecutor’s offices, though the majority of the alleged violations occurred in Clinton County.
DNR Emphasizes Role of Public Tips
DNR Law Enforcement Division Capt. David Malloch credited the outcome to the partnership between hunters and conservation officers, noting that a single tip combined with a thorough investigation helped hold an individual accountable for actions that showed a blatant disregard for wildlife and hunting laws. He encouraged anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in the field to report it right away.
Cases like this one are a reminder of the work Michigan’s conservation officers handle every day — not just enforcing game laws, but protecting public safety across the communities they serve.
Report a Violation
Anyone with information about a natural resources crime in Michigan can call or text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 1-800-292-7800. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
