NORTHWEST OHIO — A Harrod, Ohio man has forfeited 235 deer antlers and faces significant penalties following a multi-year investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The investigation began in January 2023 after a concerned caller contacted wildlife officers, saying “something just seemed strange in the whole situation” surrounding the reported shooting of a large buck by the suspect’s son. The caller believed the deer had actually been shot by the father, later identified as Steven Niese, rather than his son — a suspicion that ultimately proved to be correct.
After months of investigation and evidence gathering, wildlife officers executed a search warrant, leading to the discovery of numerous untagged deer parts. Niese was subsequently found guilty of three counts of possession of untagged deer parts and three counts of falsifying information during the game check process.
As a result of the convictions, Niese was ordered to pay $4,291 in fines and court costs, along with $10,447.04 in restitution. His hunting license has been suspended for 10 years in all 50 states, effective June 15, 2025.
In addition, Niese was sentenced to nine days in jail, to be served over weekends during specific deer seasons. An additional 81 days were suspended, and he was placed on five years of probation.
Authorities also seized and forfeited a large collection of deer parts, including 58 antlered deer skulls, two shoulder mounts, 11 antlers on broken skull caps, and 164 sawed-off antlers, totaling 235 antlers.
The case involved wildlife officers from multiple counties across Northwest Ohio.
