Somerset County man charged with illegally killing deer, raccoon

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Somerset County man is facing charges after he allegedly illegally killed three deer and a raccoon out of season.

Dakota Stevanus, 21, of Markleton is facing charges for allegedly being caught by a State Game Warden on private property, according to the criminal complaint. On Oct. 26, 2022, a State Game Warden who was off duty was archery hunting on private property. The warden, who had permission to be there, noticed a man carrying a scoped rifle.

The warden noted that he identified himself to the man, later identified as Stevanus, and asked him what he was hunting. Stevanus told him he was hunting coyotes and when asked to provide a valid ID and a hunting license he refused and left the scene.

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The warden, once on duty, contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission in an effort to search for Stevanus. The warden ran into a man who allegedly admitted that Stevanus was staying with him at a residence on Old Hickory Flat Road.

According to the affidavit, a search was applied for and obtained to inspect the home that Stevanus was staying at. Police searched the residence and took Stevanus's phone as evidence.

Stevanus is accused of killing three whitetail deer and a raccoon while his hunting and trapping license was suspended and while they were out of season, according to the charges filed. He was also allegedly trespassing on property, possessed a big game license tag that was not his own and had drug paraphernalia on him.

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He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 31.