15 deer illegally killed: Two North Carolina men found guilty and fined

Two North Carolina men have been convicted of illegally killing 15 deer at night in Duplin County.

Dylan Scott of New Hanover County and Nicholas Rackley of Duplin County were ordered to pay a combined $9,030 to replace the illegally taken deer.

Scott's hunting license was revoked for ten years, and he received probation and a $1,500 fine. Rackley's license was revoked for five years and fined $750.

"The severity of the punishments reflects the seriousness of the crime," said Captain Chad Arnold, head of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Investigative Unit and NC WILDTIP program. "Normally, poaching violations don't result in such consequences, but killing 15 deer in one night is an extreme case."

The arrests were made possible thanks to an anonymous tip to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's NC WILDTIP program.

The tip says Rackley killed all 15 deer the previous night and forwarded the photo to multiple individuals.

Wildlife officials in North Carolina got a warrant to search after a tip about illegal hunting.

During their investigation, Rackley confessed that he and Scott shot 15 deer together in Duplin County.

They then took the deer to a Pender County home to get the meat processed. At that location, officers found four coolers filled with deer meat.

The homeowner also admitted to processing the deer for Rackley.

To report a poaching violation in progress, call Wildlife Law Enforcement dispatch at 800-662-7137.