In one of Pennsylvania's largest recent poaching cases, three Washington County men—Ezra McClelland, Julian Marth, and Grant Bamberger—received jail sentences, heavy fines, and lifetime hunting license revocations for killing 21 deer over two nights in December 2023.

The men, all in their early 20s, pleaded guilty to charges related to illegally shooting the deer from a vehicle with a spotlight. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, their sentencing included seven days in the Washington County Jail and over $6,300 in fines and restitution.

The Illegal Poaching Operation

The poaching took place on December 9 and 17 of last year, with both incidents occurring between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., according to CBS Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Game Commission received reports of suspicious activity in the early hours and discovered dead deer across multiple locations. Witnesses on December 17 reported seeing the suspects' vehicle, leading wardens to record the license plate and ultimately identify McClelland, Marth, and Bamberger as the perpetrators.

Each of the men’s actions violated numerous hunting regulations. Pennsylvania law prohibits spotlighting deer after 11 p.m. and bans hunting during these late hours. Authorities said they had shot all 21 deer, including six antlered bucks, from the vehicle or roadside and made no effort to collect or field-dress the animals.

Lt. Andy Harvey, the Game Commission’s information supervisor, explained that “thrill-seeking” cases like this, in which poachers don’t retrieve the meat, indicate a disregard for wildlife and hunting ethics, reported GoErie.

Community Tips Lead to Arrest

The case underscores the importance of public vigilance. Local residents played a crucial role in the investigation by promptly reporting suspicious activity, according to WJAC. Following community tips, wardens from Washington and Allegheny counties, assisted by a special investigator and a K-9 handler, were able to swiftly pursue leads and arrest the suspects.

The Game Commission publicly thanked those who reported the crime. “Local residents who observed suspicious activity and alerted the Game Commission in a timely manner were crucial in the apprehension of those involved, and ultimately, bringing those responsible to justice,” the Game Commission said in a news release quoted by CBS Pittsburgh.

Consequences for the Offenders

Apart from the jail time and financial penalties, the sentencing dealt a severe blow to the men’s future in hunting. Authorities seized two rifles used in the poaching incidents, which will not be returned. They also revoked the offenders’ hunting licenses for life—a rare and significant punishment under Pennsylvania law.

Lt. Harvey emphasized the severity of the case, noting that cases usually involve only one or two animals. “In this case, 21 deer is a rather large hit,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hunting illegally at night and from a vehicle poses significant safety risks, he added, as one can never be sure if people are nearby.

Long-term Impact and Reporting Poaching

The punishment, officials hope, will serve as a deterrent to others. The Game Commission encouraged anyone with information on wildlife crimes to report them via their 24-hour hotline, Operation Game Thief, at 1-888-PGC-8001. Tips are critical to ongoing wildlife protection, as poaching cases persist in Pennsylvania, particularly involving prized antlered deer.

Wildlife advocates call this case a grim example of what poachers risk in pursuit of illegal thrill-kills. With heightened public awareness and more vigilance, they hope poaching will see fewer repeat offenses in the future.

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