The Case of Steven Niese: A 20-Year Poaching Legacy Ends with a 50-State Ban

By Derrick Stallings – HuntingOfficer.com

Most hunters know that “one bad apple” can spoil the reputation of the entire community, but the case of Steven Niese of Harrod, Ohio, takes that concept to a different level. After a multi-year investigation by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a man with a 25-year history of wildlife violations has finally been sidelined—not just in Ohio, but across the entire country.

How a “Strange” Tip Cracked the Case

It all started in January 2023 with a phone call to the 1-800-POACHER hotline. An informant noted that something “seemed strange” about a massive buck allegedly shot by Niese’s son. Officers eventually discovered that it wasn’t the son who pulled the trigger—it was Niese himself, who then falsified game check information to cover his tracks.

The Massive Price Tag of Poaching

The penalties handed down in January 2026 were designed to hit where it hurts: the wallet and the trophy room.

• Total Financial Hit: Niese was ordered to pay $14,738.08, split between $4,291.04 in fines/court costs and $10,447.04 in restitution.
• Forfeiture of a Lifetime: This wasn’t just about one deer. Officers seized a staggering 235 antlers, including 58 skulls, two shoulder mounts, and 164 sawed-off antlers.
• Jail Time: He must serve nine days in jail specifically during the weekends of deer season—a symbolic reminder of the seasons he is no longer allowed to participate in.

Why Is Restitution So High?

You might wonder how one or two deer can result in over $10,000 in restitution. In Ohio, the Revised Code Section 1531.201 uses a specific formula for “trophy” bucks (those scoring over 125 inches). The state calculates the value based on the antler size: ((gross score – 100)² x $1.65) + a base wildlife value. This ensures that poachers pay for the true “trophy” value of the animals they steal from the public.

A Serial Offender’s Track Record

Niese wasn’t a first-time offender. Since 2001, he has racked up 14 convictions across Allen, Hardin, Hancock, and Putnam counties.

• In 2006, he was caught poaching a record-size buck with a rifle (illegal at the time) during a youth season.
• In 2017, his license was revoked for three years for possessing untagged antlers.

The 50-State “Interstate” Ban

The most significant part of the sentence is the 10-year hunting license suspension. Thanks to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, this ban is not limited to Ohio.

• National Reciprocity: Because almost every state is a member, Niese is essentially blacklisted from buying a hunting license anywhere in the U.S. until June 2035.
• Enforcement: If he tries to apply for a tag in Montana or Texas, the national database will flag his suspension, leading to an immediate denial and potential further charges.

This case serves as a massive win for law-abiding hunters who put in the work, follow the rules, and respect the resource.

*AI was used to help create this post.