A Clinton County man is facing 50 firearm and wildlife-related charges following a lengthy investigation by Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers into alleged illegal deer poaching across mid-Michigan.
According to the Michigan DNR, 26-year-old Thomas House was arraigned on July 23 in 65A District Court in St. Johns. Prosecutors allege that between April and November 2025, he repeatedly drove rural roads at night, used a spotlight to locate deer, shot them from a vehicle with a suppressed semiautomatic rifle, and left the animals unharvested.
The charges include:
- 29 Wildlife Conservation Order violations, including taking game without a license, taking game out of season, and improper methods of take.
- 6 counts of taking game from a vehicle.
- 6 counts of shining while in possession of a weapon.
- 5 felony weapons offenses.
- 3 counts of possessing an uncased firearm in a vehicle.
- 1 count of reckless use of a firearm.
The investigation began after a citizen submitted a tip through Michigan’s Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline. Conservation officers conducted interviews, executed search warrants, and gathered evidence that allegedly included cellphone videos and photographs documenting the illegal activity. Most of the incidents are alleged to have occurred in northern Clinton County, with additional incidents in southern Gratiot County.
For ethical hunters, the case highlights several of Michigan’s most fundamental hunting laws. Shooting game from a motor vehicle, using artificial light to hunt deer at night, hunting without the required licenses, and leaving harvested animals to waste are serious violations that undermine fair chase principles and wildlife conservation. Michigan’s wildlife regulations are designed to ensure sustainable deer populations while protecting opportunities for law-abiding hunters.
The Michigan DNR also emphasized the importance of public involvement in protecting the state’s natural resources. Officials credited the initial RAP tip with helping conservation officers build the case and encouraged hunters and outdoor recreationists to report suspected poaching or other natural resource crimes whenever they witness them.
As always, Hunterizer encourages hunters to know the regulations before heading into the field. The Hunterizer app keeps Michigan hunters up to date with current seasons, legal hunting methods, licensing requirements, and other state-specific regulations, helping ensure every hunt is both successful and lawful.
