A Lake City man is facing thousands of dollars in fines and restitution, jail time, loss of firearm and hunting privileges if convicted of deer poaching.
State Conservation Officer Tyler Quandt, of Red Wing, received a complaint on Jan. 29, that someone had illegally shot two deer in rural Goodhue County.

When the officer arrived at the scene, he saw  an ATV, pulling a wagon, turn into a driveway. The driver of the ATV, Michael D. Kutina, 20, of Lake City, then loaded two deer onto the wagon. Kutina returned to the road and was followed by an SUV driven by a friend. The officer followed the pair to a nearby residence where he interviewed Kutina.

According to the criminal complaint, Kutina told CO Quandt that the deer were road kills and he was picking them up to use as coyote bait. The driver of the SUV was only there to help load the deer into his jeep. “I told him his story didn’t sound very believable,” Quandt said. “Kutina eventually admitted to shooting the deer himself.”

The SUV driver was interviewed by Conservation Officer Kevin Prodzinski of Zumbrota, but was not charged.

Assistant Goodhue County Attorney David Grove said Kutina has been charged with three gross misdemeanor counts, including two counts of taking deer during closed season and transporting illegally taken big game, and a misdemeanor count of shooting big game from a road right-of-way. Grove said that excluding court surcharges, each gross misdemeanor has a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, the misdemeanor carries a sentence of not more than 90 days in jail or fine of not more than $1,000, or both, and a $500 restitution for each deer if Kutina is convicted. A trial date has not been set.

Conservation officers rely on tips from the public to help catch poachers. “We need the honest sportsmen and sportswomen to call us with more tips,” Quandt said. “A conservation officer has only one set of eyes. I cover 650 square miles. If the public out here is concerned about natural resources, they can help us catch those who are violating the law.”

People witnessing wildlife or fishing violations are encouraged to contact the nearest conservation officer or law enforcement agency or to call the toll-free Turn-In-Poachers hotline at 1-800-652-9093. Also, #TIP is available to most cell phone users in Minnesota.