In late 2018, the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police uncovered a chilling case involving a group of young trophy hunters. Over just a few months, they had illegally taken at least 19 deer - often during nighttime hunts near residential neighborhoods. What started as a routine investigation quickly unraveled into something far more disturbing: secret planning sessions, a manifesto detailing their exploits, and a twisted tribute to the grandfather who taught them to night hunt. Join Investigator Patrick Kiely as he recounts the unbelievable story of the “Killing Krew Klan.” Our Sponsors: Thin Green Line PodcastDon Noyes ChevroletNorth American Game Warden MuseumHunt RegsWiseEyeSecureIt Gun StorageXS Sights“A Cowboy in the Woods” BookMaine's Operation Game ThiefInternational Wildlife Crimestoppers Here’s what we discuss:·       An area known for night hunting·       Spotting night hunters requires patience and timing·       The state’s healthy deer population is tempting for poachers·       A patrol officer spots suspicious signs·       The initial arrest leads to more questions·       Cell phones: everyone documents everything·       “I wouldn’t even call them hunters; they were trophy poachers.”·       It definitely wasn’t squirrels·       The group is released but phones are seized·       A stunning discovery·       “It was an every-night occurrence.”·       The group frequently hunted near houses·       None of 19 deer were registered·       The puzzle pieces: pictures, locations and times·       The serial poaching had gone on for years, and had grown·       Group relied on thinly stretched law enforcement·       A specific 16-point buck and an unlikely story·       US Fish and Wildlife joins the investigation·       Cell phone metadata pinpoints locations and times·       “Not a care in the world.”·       A handwritten manifesto is found·       The ‘zombie’ deer·       Timing was perfect – and lucky·       Even illegal roadkill wasn’t off limits to the ‘Klan’·       $100 does for sale, and banquet hall venison·       Multiple deer were taken nightly·       Managing investigations and public perception·       Hunters had noticed a decline·       “It was a joke to them.”·       Many state charges were misdemeanors·       Local hunters weigh in·       Technology has changed investigation strategies·       Limitation statutes prevented even more charges·       Getting buy-in from other agencies·       Balancing criminal and wildlife investigations can be a challenge·       The cell phones were crucial ·       Rising bear population has led to conflicts·       Educating the public·       Staffing numbers are on the rise·       “It was a learning experience for all of us.” CreditsHosts: Wayne Saunders and John NoresProducer: Jay AmmannWarden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley HannettResearch / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazonGoogleWaypointStitcherTuneInMegaphoneFind More Here:WebsiteWarden’s Watch / TGL StoreFacebookFacebook Fan PageInstagramThreadsYouTubeRSSLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices