A joint investigation between game wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and investigators with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has resulted in the conviction of a 22-year-old Utah man.

Brayden Norton, of Washington, Utah was initially arrested in May of 2019 after an investigation determined he illegally shot a mule deer near Caliente, Nevada in November of 2016. Norton removed the antlers and left the rest of the deer at the spot where he shot it. 

“I’m sure this young man thought he had gotten away with this crime, but new evidence helped lead this investigation to his doorstep and eventually his conviction,” said Chief Game Warden Mike Maynard. “We want to make it very clear that this person was not a hunter. He did not have a big game tag and has never purchased a hunting license in Nevada. People like this are definitely not sportsmen."

Norton pled guilty in Lincoln County to unlawful possession of big game and wasting the edible portions of a deer. Norton was sentenced to serve 364 days (suspended) in the Lincoln County Detention Center and placed on probation not to exceed 12 months. While the majority of the sentence was suspended, the defendant was ordered to serve 20 days in the Lincoln County Detention Center and complete 200 hours of community service.  The defendant was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $15,000. Norton will not be able to purchase any hunting licenses or tags for five years.  

"We want to thank our counterparts in the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources," said Chief Game Warden Mike Maynard. "Their assistance was crucial to the success of this case.”

To report wildlife crime, sportsmen and members of the public can call the OGT hotline at (800) 992-3030 or use the new NDOW Tip app. The NDOW Tip app provides citizens the ability to submit anonymous tips, photos or video to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. NDOW Tip is available for download for free via the Google Play Store, iTunes App Store, or by visiting the agency’s website at www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org.