Michigan man faces 50 counts of firearm and wildlife violations after tip from public

Elsie, Mich. — A Michigan man was arraigned on 50 counts of combined firearm and wildlife violations.

Thomas House, 26, of Clinton County, was charged with felony weapons offenses (five counts), reckless use of a firearm (one count), possessing an uncased firearm in a vehicle (three counts), taking game from a vehicle (six counts), shining with a weapon in possession (six counts), and Wildlife Conservation Order violations, including taking game without a license, improper method of take, and taking game out of season (29 counts).

“This case demonstrates the importance of the public’s partnership with conservation officers,” said Capt. David Malloch, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor. “A tip to the Report All Poaching hotline, combined with the officers’ thorough and lengthy investigation, helped hold an individual accountable for their actions that showed a blatant disregard for wildlife and hunting laws. We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious natural resources activity to report it immediately. We all play a role in protecting our natural resources.”

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Michigan DNR conservation officers received a tip Oct. 13, 2025, through the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline regarding a person shooting deer from a vehicle at night using a suppressed semiautomatic rifle.

The tip stated that the illegal hunting activity occurred multiple times in northern Clinton County and southern Gratiot County.

The investigation confirmed that between April 25 and Nov. 25, 2025, House would drive around at night, shining and shooting deer from his vehicle and then leaving the deer to rot, unharvested.

Additionally, House used his cellphone to record several videos and photographs of himself shooting and killing the deer, along with the deer lying on the ground. The case was forwarded to prosecutor’s offices in Clinton County and Gratiot County for review.