ST. PAUL (AP) - Four Minnesota men have been charged with illegal deer poaching following a five-year investigation by state conservation officials.

The Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that it seized dozens of guns and more than 28 sets of deer and elk antlers late last year from a home in southwestern Minnesota. Capt. Cory Palmer says it's the most extreme case of poaching he's seen in 17 years working with the agency.

Joshua Liebl, whose Dawson home was searched by department officials, was charged last week with several gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor charges, including transporting illegally taken big game and failure to register deer. Three others also were charged in the poaching case.

A working phone number for Liebl was not immediately available and he could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

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