Deer poaching leads to record Neb. fine

Lincoln, Neb.(AP) – The largest poaching fine in Nebraska since
electronic court records began being kept in 1996 has been levied
in Cherry County.

Last week, three men from Merriman were ordered by a Cherry
County judge to pay a combined $20,145 for illegally killing five
mule dear.

The men left four of the deer to rot in a field south of
Merriman on Sept. 19.

The largest of the five deer, a five-by-five buck, was left
hanging on display on a flatbed trailer.

Each of the men pleaded guilty to about two dozen counts,
including hunting during a closed season, hunting without
permission, hunting with artificial light, game harassment, and
wanton waste.

The men who shot the deer are: Nathan Chappell, 27; Kip
Castellaw, 22; and Ernie Bennett, 57.