Sounds like a political hit job.
The more I think about this, the more I think you are right.
There are some high profile MS hunters opposed to this guy being on the wildlife commission (Will Primos is esp outspoken against him) because of his hands off approach to CWD instead of the 'kill them all' approach.
Coincidentally, he is up for reappointment for his commission position in a couple months. Combined that with multiple folks saying they know him personally and he follows the laws to a 'T'.
It really is looking like a manufactured hit job on the guy.