Poachers at it again. What is wrong with people?

[Mark Christianson]

VALLEY CITY, N.D. -- Seven more deer hunters, including the principal of Wahpeton High School, have been charged in a poaching case that is believed to be one of North Dakota's largest.

This week's accusations follow the filing of charges last month against a father and son who allegedly had 30 illegal deer carcasses.

The Wahpeton principal, Hy Schlieve, was charged in Barnes County with illegal possession of big game and conspiracy to take big game. He declined to comment late Monday.

Darrell Hansen of Sanborn, N.D., and his son Jeremy Hansen of Spiritwood were charged last month with 30 counts each of illegal possession of big game. Authorities said the deer carcasses were found in a shop on Jeremy Hansen's farm near Valley City after a message was left on the state poaching tip line.

Darrell Hansen is Schlieve's father-in-law, Schlieve said. One of the seven men charged Monday, Steven Roemmich of Spiritwood, is Schlieve's brother-in-law, Schlieve said.

Also accused Monday is a Minnesotan, Brian Betterman of the Twin Cities suburb of Ramsey, who is charged with illegal possession of big game.

Get TIP in your phonebooks and cell phones.

[jlm]

I just do not get some people. This really makes you wonder how much this actually happens in peoples secret world. Well, at least these guys got busted. Keep up the good work all of you who report this stuff!

[Dan Wood]

There were a lot of people talking about the Valley City incident when I was up hunting in ND. It sounded like from what people were saying anyway, that they were butchering deer for other people and just didn't have all the tags accounted for... Not sure what the real story is on that... Sounds like they are being charged, so there must be more to the story. Pretty sad that someone would take 30 deer, glad to hear that someone called the tip line and they were busted.

[lawdog]

My Girlfriend is from the Valley City area (Litchville is where she grew up). Her sister and dad live in Valley now and I read about these charges when we were there for Thanksgiving. Her bro-in-law told me he thought there would be more charges coming. Looks like he was right... I don't think this was a butchering thing from what he'd heard and what they are charging.

[Dan Wood]

Yea it sure sounds like there is more to the story... That may have been what they were claiming to get out of trouble...