JACKSON -- Chris James of Horton pleaded guilty Monday to illegally killing a trophy buck in the archery season last fall.
James admitted he shot the 24-point whitetail before he purchased a hunting license.
District Judge Michael Klaeren sentenced him to a mandatory five days in jail, plus a $1,000 fine to the state wildlife fund and a $300 fine to the county.
"Just as important, he loses his hunting privileges for the rest of 2008 and the next three years after that," Assistant Prosecutor Nick Mehalco said after the plea.
Klaeren said he will allow James to serve his jail time on weekends.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers saw the pictures and story about the giant buck in the Citizen Patriot on Oct. 26.
James told a reporter he shot the buck with an arrow at dusk on Oct. 24 and tracked its blood trail several hours in the dark, returning the next morning to find it.
An investigation revealed James did not purchase the archery license until the morning after he shot the deer.
While agents built their case, James entered the rack in big-buck contests. It is one of the largest ever taken by a Michigan bow hunter.
A Commemorative Bucks of Michigan scorer awarded it 218 points, making it the second- or third-largest ever recorded in archery season.
Conservation officers seized the antlers in January, when James was charged with the misdemeanor.
The deer rack is the property of the DNR and will likely be on display at either a state park museum, wildlife office or other DNR facility.
A friend of James said he would make no comment.
Sad
Don't know why someone in that position would seek out publicity and attempt to take pride and recognition for what he done. Just do it legally in the first place and don't put yourself in this type situation.