Published April 14. 2016 05:03AM
DEFIANCE, Pa. (AP) - A western Pennsylvania man has been fined more than $18,000 for illegally killing more than 66 animals and collecting various illegal trophies, including dozens of flying squirrel tails, deer and bear skulls and owl talons.
Forty-one-year-old Darin Fleck didn't immediately return a call Wednesday on the fine and guilty pleas announced by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The commission announced the penalties on Tuesday, but say they were imposed April 1 when Fleck pleaded guilty to dozens of poaching and other game violations.Wildlife conservation officers got a tip that a young deer was being kept at Fleck's home in Broad Top Township and say they found illegal deer parts when they went to investigate. After obtaining a search warrant, they found the various trophies.Fleck's hunting privileges have also been suspended.