'Catch Me If You Can': Michigan Man Accused of Poaching Nine Deer in Wyoming Town

Joshua T. Wielhouwer, 20, allegedly killed the critters in late August, according to the Powell Tribune. He’s been accused of shooting mule deer bucks, does, and fawns without a license and failing to harvest any meat.

After game wardens nearly caught him in the act, he posted on Facebook, “Catch me if you can,” Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele said at a Tuesday court hearing.

Wielhouwer eventually turned himself in, but his remorse came too late. He’s being charged with 18 misdemeanors, including nine counts of taking a game animal without a hunting license and nine of wanton destruction of a big game animal. His bond was set at $36,000—$4,000 for each deer he killed.

Wilhouwer mugshot via Park County Sheriff's Office.

Officials say Wilhouwer’s poaching took place in two city parks near downtown Cody: the Park County Complex, an outdoor event space located near downtown, and Glendale Park, which has a kids playground, pavilion, and soccer field.

The first dead deer appeared on August 27th, and game wardens estimated the buck had been shot with a bow the previous night. The next deer was discovered just one house down from where the first was found, and the third appeared near a pond on the Park County Complex. Five additional deer were found in the area over the next few days, all of which appeared to have been killed on August 26th.

Apparently not satisfied with killing eight deer in a single night, Wielhouwer allegedly returned to the area on August 31st and killed another doe, which was found floating in a Complex pond.

Game wardens set up a stakeout of the area on September 4th, and they reportedly heard the sound of a crossbow. They spied a young man armed with a bow and shining a light on the ground. They shouted for him to stop, but the suspect fled.

Wielhouwer ran away on foot and left the car he was driving. The silver Ford Fusion matched the car game wardens had seen on surveillance footage, and they found an arrow and broadhead in the car that matched the arrow found near the pond days earlier.

Wardens contacted the owner of the vehicle, who said he’d been allowing Wielhouwer to drive the vehicle while he was out of town. He said Wielhouwer was a black male around 20 years old, which also matched the person spotted on surveillance footage.

Wildlife crimes might not be the only charges Wielhouwer faces in the coming months. “There are other incidents involving him shooting at vehicles or being contacted [for] shooting a weapon within the city limits,” said Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele. Additional charges are pending.

Wielhouwer’s next hearing is scheduled for early December, and his trial date has been tentatively scheduled for February 6, 2025.