Virginia wildlife officials sent a clear message with the sentencing of a poacher this week: Unethical hunting will not be tolerated.
For the illegal killing of a beloved deer known as the “Hollywood Buck,” among other crimes, Richmond resident Jason Walters was sentenced to 6 months of jail with 3 months suspended, Virginia officials said this week. Walters pled guilty to 20 charges, including poaching and trespassing. He will also be fined $2,500, as well as an $11,000 replacement cost for the famous 29-point buck and two other poached deer.
Walters’ accomplice, Alan Proffitt, was also found guilty of six wildlife violations and must pay $1,250 in fines and serve 30 days of house arrest. Both men also lost hunting privileges: Walters for 24 years and Proffitt for 30 years.
Virginia wildlife officials called the sentencing “one of the strongest enforcement outcomes in recent memory,” in a Thursday press release. Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation and prosecution, including the Virginia Department of Natural Resources, the City of Richmond, and Chesterfield County.
“Hunting is a treasured tradition in Virginia. Unethical and criminal behavior tarnishes the reputation of the sport and gives a bad name to those that engage in it lawfully,” the state’s wildlife officials said. “The considerable penalties included will certainly be a deterrent to future wildlife crime and should give the community a level of comfort that this type of crime is taken very seriously in the Commonwealth.”
The famous buck received its moniker because it was frequently seen at Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery, according to WTVR CBS 6. It was a familiar head of antlers to the users on the Facebook group Star City Whitetails, which hosts photos of hunting successes across Virginia.
“It’s pretty crazy to say in the least,” the group’s admin Jeff Phillips told WTVR. “In the time I’ve done this nothing has drawn that type of attention.”
Virginia wildlife officials will work with the outdoors community to “determine the best way to memorialize this incredible animal,” according to the press release.
Poacher of Iconic ‘Hollywood Buck’ Faces 19 Charges
February 16, 2024 — The beloved “Hollywood Buck” is about to receive its day in court, albeit posthumously. Last week, authorities set a trial date for the man accused of poaching the 29-point nontypical buck, along with two other bucks from the area.
Jason Walters of Richmond, Va., was arrested on Jan. 29 and charged with 19 wildlife violations, including poaching and trespassing, among other charges. He is scheduled to appear on February 27.
The charges stem from three different deer that Walters is believed to have illegally killed during the 2023 season. Authorities zeroed in on the 36-year-old after he submitted photos of the deer to the Star City Whitetails Facebook page. Police also announced pending charges against Walters’ alleged accomplice, Alan Proffitt.
People familiar with the distinctive deer immediately threw up red flags and notified the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) with tips that the deer may not have been taken legally.
Iconic ‘Hollywood Buck’ Poaching Case
Walters shared images of himself with the deer in question online between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 2023. The final image he shared was unmistakably the “Hollywood Buck,” authorities said.
“The Hollywood Cemetery buck was well-known for its large and distinctive antlers, making it easily identifiable,” police said in a press release.
Walters captioned his post with the Hollywood Buck on December 18:
“Prince Edward County killed with 50 cal muzzleloader, shot this morning 713am at 20 yards, my 3rd mounter this year! Biggest buck of my LIFE 🦌💥”
The three whitetail bucks were known to frequent the Hollywood Cemetery in Virginia and well loved locally. Suspicions arose because the buck was so unique, and Walters claimed to have killed the deer some 70 miles from the location where the buck was known to frequent. Internet sleuths pointed out the discrepancy quickly, and tips flooded in.
On December 18, 2023, the Virginia DWR sent out a press release that a suspect had been identified in the case. At the time, Walters wasn’t named. Nearly a month later, another press release identified Walters as the suspect and Alan Proffitt as an accomplice. The full list of charges includes illegal possession of wildlife, trespassing, failing to check and tag a deer, earn a buck violation, and littering.
