Joliet Man Hunted White-Tailed Deer At Forest Preserve: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 34-year-old Joliet man has been charged with multiple counts of unlawful hunting at a county forest preserve. Michael Doti was arrested earlier this month before being released on bail. The Illinois Department of Conservation spearheaded the investigation.

According to the criminal complaint submitted by conservation officer Nicholas Honiotes on Oct. 30, 2019, Doti "knowingly took a species of wildlife, a white-tailed deer, or parts thereof, within or upon the land of another, Forest Preserve of Will County, without first obtaining permission from the owner or the owner's designee."

The second charge against Doti is for unlawful taking of a deer. The complaint states that Doti knowingly took or possessed a white-tailed deer in the state of Illinois without being in compliance with the Illinois Wildlife Code and its administrative provisions.

Doti also faces three additional criminal charges: unlawful possession of any species of wildlife, unlawful hunting without permission of the landowner and unlawful take of a deer.

On Nov. 4, 2019, the complaint states, Doti knowingly possessed the head with antlers of a white-tailed deer that was unlawfully taken in Illinois.

Doti's complaint didn't specify at which Will County Forest Preserve property he is accused of killing and taking white-tailed deer.

On Monday, Joliet Patch left a message with Honiotes, but he didn't call back.

As for Doti, he lives in the 21000 block of Joliet's Rock Run Drive, his charges show.

Will County Judge Donald DeWilkens set bail at $10,000 for Doti, who was released from custody at the Will County Jail during the early morning hours of Sept. 10, according to the jail's logs.