Deer decoy operation leads to arrests

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) - It started out as a routine operation for Game and Fish in southern New Mexico. A decoy deer placed near roadways to catch illegal hunters in action not only did that, it also led to a lot of criminal charges for one family.

New Mexico Game and Fish officers often plant a life-size decoy deer near a roadway during hunting season to catch illegal hunters.

"The main goal for running those decoy operations is to catch individuals that are shooting at game from a public road," explained Jason Kline, Mayhill District officer for Game and Fish. "Whether they're in the vehicle or out, spot-lighting, and hunting without a license."

In a recent operation in Otero County, some of the men fooled landed up in jail.

Everything about the deer used is fake except for the hide and the antlers, but in this case, Game and Fish officers said it only took seconds to draw the attention of a hunter.   

This time, deputies said it was 36-year-old Billy George Jr. who stopped the truck he was driving, so his 14-year-old nephew could take a shot. Kline said the teen stood up in the truck bed and shot from there.

"It's a terrible example, this juvenile had just recently gone through hunter education where you do learn the proper, safe ways to hunt and ethical ways to hunt and he's out with his family and his family is teaching him that that's how they hunt," said Kline.

The teen was given a warning and the driver was cited for accessory, but it wouldn't be the last time authorities dealt with his family.  

"That type of behavior, I mean if they're willing to poach animals, they're wiling to commit other crimes as well," said Benny House, Otero County Sheriff.

Otero County Sheriff's deputies received information that George was a convicted felon, meaning he should not be around a gun. House said George was convicted of commercial burglary of a New Mexico oil field site in 2009.  
     
Deputies obtained a search warrant to George's home in Weed, New Mexico, in the 100 block of Seep Canyon. "We saw multiple heads, deer head, elk heads, raccoon pelts, turkey parts, and a lot of marijuana," recalled Kline. Plus, House said there were 14 guns in the home.  

Billy George was charged with 14 counts of possession of firearm by a felon. He and 20-year-old Samuel George were also charged for having the animal parts with no proper paperwork.

Samuel George was charged for possession of nearly 12 oz. of marijuana as well. A third family member, 39-year-old Brandon George was charged with two counts of unlawfully possessing raccoon hides.

"It's a great example of what happens when you do work in conjunction with other agencies in the bigger picture, the things you can accomplish," said Kline, of the joint efforts with Otero County Sheriff's Department and Game and Fish officers.

Kline said the family offered no explanation for where the animal pelts and heads came from. In all, Game and Fish issued 26 counts of illegal possession of animal parts, while the Sheriff's Department filed criminal charges for the drugs and guns.