As part of their local grievance, the Ortonville area deer hunters called on the DNR to investigate unauthorized deer killings that they alleged went unreported by the farmer in Deer Permit Area 274 who received a permit to harvest 10 deer over the summer. Late last month, the investigation resulted in a petty misdemeanor citation against farmer Ron Schumacher, of Ortonville. According to a written report by the investigating warden, DNR Conservation Officer Levi Brown, Schumacher’s farm legally filled all 10 of its summer deer tags. But the officer also discovered that Schumacher killed five additional deer and let them rot — not reporting them as required under his permit, according to the officer’s report.
Schumacher did not respond to two phone calls and an email from the Minnesota Star Tribune seeking comment.
According to the officer’s report, Schumacher told him he looked for five deer he shot in his soybean field but couldn’t find them. Brown reported that three of the deer were laying less than 10 yards from the edge of the field. He cited Schumacher for wanton waste of five deer. Besides a $300 fine, the local DNR wildlife office said the violation will weigh against Schumacher if he seeks permits to rid deer from his farm in the future.
For the local deer hunters who blew the whistle on Schumacher, the investigation has hardened their opinion that the deer depredation program lacks accountability.
“Once they get a permit, the farmers seem to think they can kill as many deer as they want,’’ Nelson said. “They’re on the honor system and that’s it.’’
Curt Vacek, DNR wildlife manager for the area that includes Big Stone County, said farmers who obtain extra shooting permits to address crop damage are tracked by a detailed reporting system and they don’t always get what they want when seeking permission.
