The point is who are they to determine what is poached and what isn't without the evidence that I actually committed a crime or even if the meat is venison - meaning a lack of seeing or having a witness to me dragging a rodent out of the woods with a weapon in hand to even justify an investigation.
Getting a search warrant does not always happen, there are a number of DNR officers who have overstepped their boundaries and failed to be legal in gather evidence. I know of a few cases where they perjured themselves, one I know first hand but there seems to be a justification of their actions because they protect the environment and our sporting economy.
There is NO LEGAL way for you to have venison in your freezer unless, A: you purchase a hunting license and shoot it your self, or B: you purchase venison from LEGAL LICENSED venison farm, in which case you will be given a LEGAL sale receipt.
Anything else is illegal and a crime. At least not that I know of any way.
Yes, some have overstepped their bounds. Most of those cases get thrown out like in any legal proceeding. There are good "CO's" , bad "CO's" and average "CO's" Just like like any other kind of enforcement officer. They just people. The worst seem to be those officers who are anti-hunting. At least, that is what I have personally experienced. I hunt with several DNR officials, they are just people. They have to follow the same laws we do.
I don't know what happened in the individual cases you cite. I have seen good, bad in indifferent enforcement in the field. I have personally experienced all kinds. That is the problem when dealing with people.