An Ohio hunter must publicly apologize after admitting to 17 wildlife crimes across multiple states.
A 21-year-old Ohio man who used TikTok to show off his hunting activities has been ordered to publicly apologize on social media after pleading guilty to 17 wildlife-related offenses.
Carter J. Hickey became the subject of a multi-state investigation in May 2025 after authorities received numerous complaints about his hunting activities. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, investigators eventually determined that Hickey had violated wildlife laws in at least 17 states.
TikTok Hunter Caught In Multi-State Poaching Investigation
Hickey pleaded guilty to 17 wildlife crimes in May 2026. Authorities said his offenses included hunting during closed seasons, hunting without permission, illegally possessing wildlife, violating game-check rules, and using a vehicle to help kill animals.
Court filings revealed that he also assisted other individuals in hunting turkeys without required licenses and allowed them to exceed legal bag limits. The Fish and Wildlife Service described the offenses as a deliberate pattern of violations rather than isolated mistakes.
Authorities seized 115 pounds of turkey meat and 47 whole or partial turkey fans during the investigation. Hickey was ordered to forfeit three firearms, a bow, hunting blinds, decoys, and other equipment connected to the illegal activities.
His TikTok Bragging Became Part Of The Punishment
The most unusual part of Hickey's sentence concerns his social media presence. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, he used TikTok to brag about his hunting skills and post false information about his activities, despite many of those activities being illegal.
As a result, the court ordered Hickey to publish a public apology on his social media accounts. He must also write an apology letter to the city of Dover after illegally hunting a 10-point buck on city property.
Hickey's other penalties include 15 days in jail, two years of probation, and 80 hours of community service. He must also pay $12,000 in restitution, $5,500 in fines, and an additional $11,000 in penalties, along with $5,000 directed to Ohio's Turn In a Poacher program. He is prohibited from hunting or trapping for five years.
The case highlights how social media can serve as crucial evidence in wildlife investigations—and how the very platform used to boast about illegal activity can become part of the punishment.
What do you think about this sentence? Let us know in the comments below.
