Poachers in Mississippi kill nearly 100 wild turkeys.
Poachers in Mississippi are linked to killing nearly 100 wild turkeys. An article posted by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on March 13th, 2020. The Department charged and arrested a group of South Mississippian poachers for killing nearly 100 Turkeys in the 2019 season. These arrests are from the efforts of an eleven-month investigation by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. (MDWFP) officers found approximately 280 wildlife violations between fourteen different subjects. consequently, the following individuals have been arrested:
Kenneth Ray Britt (39 of Wesson, MS); Charged with 142 wildlife violations.
Tony Grant Smith, (25 of Wesson, MS); charged with 68 wildlife violations.
Allen Shelton Morgan (48 of Brookhaven, MS); charged with 38 violations.
Breanna Jeanine Mckay (26 of Wesson, MS); charged with 5 violations.
This group is responsible for poaching nearly 100 turkeys and trespassing on fifteen properties in Claiborn, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson and Lincoln counties. As a result of this investigation, it was found that the groups illegal activities were not constrained to Mississippi. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating on these illegal-out-of-state hunts. Colonel Steve Adcock of the MDWFP released a statement saying:
“This is the most blatant disregard for Mississippi’s conservation laws I have seen in my thirty-three years of service with this Agency”
Colonel Adcock goes on to state the mission of MDWFP Law Enforcement Bureau:
“The primary mission of the MDWFP Law Enforcement Bureau is to detect and hold accountable those persons who jeopardize our rich hunting heritage by committing lawless acts such as these.”
Conclusion
With the history of wild turkey’s in north America being one of no hunting regulations, over-hunting and the destroying of wild habitat. It is no wonder that in 1910-1920 it was found that maybe 100,000 turkeys out of an estimated 10 million (from the days of European settlers) were left in North America. As a result one hundred years ago hunters were preparing for a future without wild turkeys. However, through relocation and the efforts of the National Wild Turkey Federation we now have a steady Wild Turkey population once again. Because, of this history stories like this hit our hunting community hard. Therefore, I as a turkey hunter would like to thank the MDWFP for their efforts to stop these poachers. It is upon our shoulders to insure a future of healthy wildlife and ethically based wildlife harvesting.
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