(LANSING) -- State Senator Phil Pavlov sits with John Borkovich (right), former Michigan DNR conservation officer of 27 years. Borkovich testified Thursday, November 8 before the Michigan Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism in support of legislation to strengthen Michigan’s poaching laws. Bills sponsored by Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, and Senator Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, would raise fines for illegally killing a protected animal and impose additional penalties for poaching trophy bucks. The measures are consistent with policies in neighboring states. The bills were reported unanimously, and now await a vote of the full Senate.