Otsego County man arraigned, faces additional charges for poaching deer

A Johannesburg, Michigan, man with a history of hunting-related violations recently faced new charges for illegally taking deer.

Cecil Edward Day, 59, was arraigned Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Otsego County 87-A District Court on the following four charges:

• Possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Possession of ammunition by a felon.
• Possession of a firearm with a blood alcohol content over .08%.
• No hunter’s orange.

Day was arrested at his residence Nov. 18 after Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers received an anonymous tip with proof of Day exiting a vehicle with a rifle and shooting at a deer on private property.

By conducting further interviews, COs located two additional deer that were shot and left in the same area, including a large, nine-point trophy buck.

The DNR is seeking additional deer poaching charges.

Day has previous DNR convictions from between 2018 and 2020, including:

• Possession of a firearm by a felon.
• Taking deer from a motor vehicle.
• Trespassing.
• No hunter’s orange.
• Possession of an untagged deer.

Day is currently lodged at the Otsego County Jail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Michigan’s firearm deer season is underway and closes Nov. 30. The DNR encourages all hunters to follow season regulations, be respectful of other hunters and natural resources, and put safety first at all times. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Deer.