A New Braunfels man, Darrell Maguire, 55, is facing 74 charges for allegedly poaching 13 white-tailed bucks across Comal, Hays, and Bexar counties. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced the charges, which stem from incidents occurring between fall 2024 and late summer 2025.

Details of the Allegations

Maguire is accused of using a crossbow to illegally hunt deer, often from his vehicle, and leaving the carcasses to waste after removing only the heads. The investigation began when multiple deer carcasses were discovered in residential areas of Comal and Hays counties, with crossbow bolts found in yards and porches.

Texas Game Wardens arrested Maguire in September 2025 on wildlife and drug possession charges. A search of his residence revealed evidence linking him to several poaching sites. Investigators found that he exceeded the annual bag limit during the 2024 hunting season, allegedly taking five bucks over the legal limit in Bexar County. From June to September 2025, he is accused of illegally killing at least eight bucks in residential areas.

Legal and Economic Context

In Texas, the legal bag limit is five white-tailed deer per license year, with no more than three bucks, subject to county-specific rules. Poaching is a serious offense, with penalties including fines, jail time, and license suspension. Convictions can result in fines up to $10,000 and up to two years in jail for state jail felonies.

Poaching undermines the regulated hunting industry, which generates significant economic activity in Texas. Deer hunting contributes an estimated $9.6 billion annually to the state’s economy. Despite active enforcement, poaching detection rates remain low, with only about 4% of incidents identified nationwide.

The case against Maguire highlights the ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation and the importance of adhering to hunting regulations to preserve Texas’s natural resources.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.