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Three convicted of illegally shining deer

JANESVILLE — Three Rock County men will be paying fines, losing hunting licenses and serving jail time after being convicted of illegally shining deer, according to a news release from the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law Enforcement.

The conviction comes at the end of an investigation after the men were pulled over in December.

According to the news release, convicted in Rock County Court were:

-- Joshua Beyer, 23, Janesville, of seven counts of illegally shining seven deer. He was ordered to pay about $15,000 in fines and serve one year in jail. He will lose his hunting licenses for 21 years.

-- Christopher Kummer, 22, Milton, of seven counts of illegally shining deer. He was ordered to pay $3,000 and serve 30 days in jail and three years of probation. He will lose his hunting licenses for 21 years.

-- Chris Taylor, 20, Evansville, of two counts of illegally shining deer. He was ordered to pay $2,200, but he was not ordered to jail. He will lose his hunting licenses for six years.

A Rock County Sheriff's Office deputy saw the men shining deer in December 2011, according to the news release. They were in possession of firearms, according to the news release.

A multi-month investigation indicated the men were most often shining and shooting deer in the Arbor Ridge Subdivision near County A west of Janesville. The men likely shot and missed or shot and killed many more deer, according to the news release.

Shining deer in Wisconsin is legal, but the DNR has put restrictions on the activity. People may not be in possession of weapons while shining or planning to do so, according to Wisconsin 2012 small-game hunting regulations.

Shining is prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31, according to state regulations.

The DNR encourages people who witness wildlife, recreational or environmental violations to report the activity by calling 800-847-9367. Callers may remain anonymous.