74 Charges Filed Against Texas Serial Poacher Accused of Killing 13 Bucks

Texas Game Wardens have filed 74 charges against a Texas man accused of illegally killing at least 13 white-tailed bucks in Comal, Hays, and Bexar counties between fall 2024 and late summer 2025.

We all know somebody who hunts, but this? Investigators say 55-year-old Darrell Maguire of New Braunfels allegedly poached deer over the course of almost a year. They believed he used a crossbow to shoot the deer from his vehicle, then removed only the heads and left the rest of the animal's bodies behind.

Investigation Began After Deer Found in Texas

The investigation started back in June of 2025 after several white-tailed buck carcasses were found in Comal and Hays counties. Some of the deer were found in residential areas. Game wardens also found crossbow bolts from people's front yards and porches.

READ MORE: $1 Billion Child Abuse Verdict for Texarkana Family

Maguire was arrested in September by Texas Game Wardens and was charged with wildlife and drug-related charges. During a search of his home, investigators say they found evidence linking him to several of the poaching scenes.

The wardens then found that Maguire illegally went over the legal deer hunting limit in the 2024 season, where he went five over the legal bag limit in Bexar County.

From June through September 2025, investigators believe he illegally killed at least eight white-tailed bucks in neighborhoods across Comal and Hays counties.

Charges Filed Against Man for Deer Poaching in Texas

Maguire is facing several charges, including:

Get our free mobile app

Hunting without landowner consent is a state jail felony
Hunting white-tailed deer at night is a Class A misdemeanor
Hunting deer from a vehicle on a public roadway is a Class A misdemeanor
Failing to retrieve and keep deer in edible condition is a Class A misdemeanor when tied to other Class A charges

And more. This case is still pending.