Three Missouri hunters charged with poaching elk, left to rot

EMINENCE, Mo. — Three Missouri hunters are facing misdemeanor charges related to poaching. An investigation spanning nine months identified the suspects as Bonne Terre residents Kevin Click, and Travis Wadlow, in addition to Michael O’Neail of De Soto. They collectively face 15 charges in this case.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) received a report in November 2023 from a 14-year-old deer hunter who discovered the elk shot dead and left to rot near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. Conservation agents from various MDC regions conducted extensive interviews with local hunters and visitors to the area during the investigation.

Agents used surveillance footage from local businesses and elk-population-monitoring cameras to identify the suspects. The investigation involved cooperation from MDC’s Ozark, Central, St. Louis, and Southeast regions.

In Missouri, there is a random drawing for elk hunting permits . Hunters may take only one elk with at least one antler no less than six inches in length.

The MDC is asking anyone who witnesses potential Wildlife Code violations to local conservation agents or through the Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-392-1111. Anonymous reporting is available, and callers may be eligible for rewards. For more information about wildlife regulations and Operation Game Thief, visit mdc.mo.gov .

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