(WWJ) — A Northern Michigan man with a history of hunting-related violations is once again in trouble with the law for allegedly poaching a deer while drunk.
Cecil Day of Johannesburg — about 12 miles east of Gaylord — was arraigned last Tuesday in Otsego County District Court on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of a firearm with a blood alcohol content over .08% and no hunter’s orange.
Day, 59, was arrested at his home on Nov. 18, three days after the start of Michigan’s firearm deer hunting season. The arrest came after Michigan DNR conservation officers got an anonymous tip with proof of Day getting out of a car with a rifle and shooting at a deer on private property.
After conducting further interviews, conservation officers found to more deer that had been shot and left in the same area, including a large, nine-point trophy buck, according to the DNR.
The DNR is seeking additional deer poaching charges in relation to this case.
DNR officials say Day has a number of previous DNR convictions from between 2018 and 2020, including:
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Taking deer from a motor vehicle
• Trespassing
• No hunter’s orange
• Possession of an untagged deer
Day is currently being held at the Otsego County Jail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Michigan’s firearm deer season is underway and closes Nov. 30. The DNR encourages all hunters to follow season regulations, be respectful of other hunters and natural resources, and put safety first at all times. More info can be found at Michigan.gov/Deer.