WAYNE COUNTY, Mo. — Two suspects are facing charges for illegally removing the heads of 15 deer and leaving their bodies to rot, Missouri Department of Conservation agents said.
Agents started investigating the poaching case after 15 deer carcasses were recently found in Wayne and Reynolds counties, according to a MDC Facebook post. The investigation was led by Wayne County's new conservation agent Luke Armentrout.
MDC Protection Branch Lieutenant of the Southeast Region Billy Barton said all 15 deer were killed illegally.
"Unfortunately, the majority of these deer were left to rot on the landscape with only their heads removed. There were also a couple instances where they left the entire deer after killing it!" Barton told 5 On Your Side.
"Honestly, this was one those cases that left us shell-shocked due to the number of egregious violations."
As a result of the investigation, MDC charged two people with taking deer in a closed hunting season, taking deer with the aid of artificial light, taking deer with aid of a motor vehicle, taking deer from a public roadway, wanton waste, trespassing, and the illegal possession and transport of deer.
Agents have not released the identities of the suspects.
"Often times it’s a tip from a concerned citizen that helps catch a poacher," Barton said. "We strongly encourage anyone who has information on potential poaching to contact their local Conservation Agent or call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111."
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