From the Files Of
Woods County Warden Terry Swallow

In the early morning on Nov. 3, I was contacted by the Woods Co. Sheriff's Office that two ranchers were in pursuit of a vehicle that was spotlighting in KS. . As I was headed to the location I was advised that the subjects were stopped 3 south and east of Capron, Ok. I arrived at the scene after Deputy Seevers. Two ranchers from Kansas were at the scene. I talked to the two gentlemen identified as Mike Coggin and Rod Blunk. Both advised they had seen the boys spotlighting in Kansas and their vehicle matched the description of one they had seen spotlighting there before. I asked Deputy Seevers what he had found in the vehicle. He stated two loaded rifles and a spotlight. The subjects in the vehicle were identified and questioned. Their rights were read and I asked them to tell me what was going on. They advised they had been to Kansas to spotlight coyotes. They did not admit to any spotlighting in Oklahoma. At the request of Barber Co. Sheriff's Office the lights, guns, and vehicle were seized.

After visiting with the two ranchers about complaints and illegal deer hunting another name was introduced as another possible suspect also. The two subjects were asked about the second and where he lived, since they were driving his vehicle. They advised that he lived in Alva. Officer Seevers and I went to this location and awoke the subject. We asked him if he was aware of where his pickup was and what it was used for. We also asked if he had any illegal game at his residence. The subject gave Officer Seevers and I permission to search the residence. This was when we found the eleven freshly killed deer antlers. The subject was questioned further and he admitted that some of the antlers were his, and the others belonged to the subjects involved in the stop. The first subjects were then confronted that they he had killed some of the deer. They also advised that they had shot some of the deer. All evidence was seized, a receipt was given to the owner and they were advised we would have to talk to the County attorneys in both states before deciding on charges and we would be contact with them later. Each individual involved filled out statements.