3 men face charges after elk poaching investigation
SHANNON COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – Three men from the Bonne Terre area faces charges for multiple violations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
It started in November 2023 with a report to the Missouri Department of Conservation of a mature bull elk found shot dead and left to rot near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County.
Fifteen charges were recently filed in court against three Missouri men.
A 14-year old-deer hunter reported finding the dead mature bull elk near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County during the 2023 opening weekend of firearms deer season on Nov. 11 and 12.
Shannon County Conservation Agents Brad Hadley and Logan Brawley led the investigation. They found the entire animal left at the scene.
The carcass was taken to MDC’s Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center in Columbia for a necropsy and further investigation.
Over the nine months of the poaching investigation, conservation agents from MDC’s Ozark, Central, St. Louis and Southeast regions interviewed numerous deer hunters in the area along with other people passing through the area for information related to the investigation.
Two conservation K-9 agents logged more than 28 miles while searching the immediate area for clues and evidence.
The agents also contacted local businesses and used their surveillance-video footage. Conservation agents say footage from elk-population-monitoring cameras in the area helped identify the poachers. Agents served five search warrants and submitted numerous items of possible evidence to forensics labs.
The investigation ended with three men from the Bonne Terre area being charged for multiple violations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
“The three men also killed deer that they failed to Telecheck and were therefore in illegal possession of,” said Agent Hadley. “The illegal elk killing and wanton waste by leaving the carcass represent two charges each, the deer killing without Telechecking and illegal possession of the deer represent two charges each, and the littering charge for each make five charges each.”
Conservation agents thanked the 14-year-old hunter who first reported it and other hunters and people passing through the area who provided tidbits of information. They also thanked local businesses who shared their pertinent security videos, the prosecutors and courts that granted the search warrants and forensic examiners who quickly analyzed items brought to them.
Agent Hadley added that every person who helped was appalled by the killing and complete waste of the elk and contributed to the success of the investigation.
“Public support of conservation is critical to conservation success,” said MDC Protection Chief Randy Doman. “Our conservation agents work hard to build public trust by thoroughly investigating incidents reported by the public. We could not have solved this case without the many members of the public who helped us. Thank you!”
Poaching is defined as the taking of wildlife outside of season, without the proper permit, or in other violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Conservation agens say it hurts Missouri wildlife and those who appreciate it as hunters, anglers and nature watchers.
Report possible violations of the Wildlife Code to your local conservation agent or call the Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and may be considered for a reward.
