Wes Johnson

WJOHNSON@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Warning: This story contains graphic images.

Poaching isn't new in Missouri.

But the gruesome death of a bull elk last week at the hands of a poacher who chainsawed the elk's antlers from its skull seems to have touched a nerve among wildlife enthusiasts. And it has caught the attention of one lawmaker who wants to increase poaching fines.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri matched a $1,000 reward offered by Operation Game Thief and then began receiving more donations from businesses and individuals concerned about the elk poaching incident. The reward now stands at $4,340 and continues to grow, according to federation executive director Brandon Butler.

"People are outraged," Butler said Monday. "That elk killing is exposing the fact that poaching is a big problem in Missouri. But a lot of people shake their heads and wonder what can be done about it."

The elk was discovered Dec. 29 in Shannon County, next to the Current River.

With the reward closing in on $5,000, Butler said he was surprised the poacher hasn't already been caught.

"It’s the rarity of the animal that makes this a special case," Butler said in an email. "While the poaching of a trophy whitetail is no less a horrendous act, the fact of the matter is, we have an estimated 1.3 million whitetails in Missouri and 130 elk. The elk herd is in a very fragile state that requires extreme care and attention until it reaches a point of assured sustainability."

Missouri elk were wiped out by hunters and habitat loss in the late 1800s. In 2010, The Missouri Department of Conservation began reintroducing elk at Peck Ranch Conservation Area, and it was one of those elk that the poacher shot. That animal was a healthy adult bull in the 4 ½ year-old age class, brought to Missouri as a yearling in 2012.

A state lawmaker from southeast Missouri plans to file a bill Tuesday that would significantly increase the fines a poacher would face.

Rep. Linda Black, R-Park Hills, said her bill would fine poachers $3,500 for killing an elk or black bear — neither of which has a legal hunting season in Missouri. Fines for poaching white tailed deer and turkeys also would rise, though Black was traveling and couldn't immediately recall what they were.

"Wildlife is publicly entrusted in Missouri — citizens own the wildlife," Black said. "If a poacher kills an elk or a black bear, they are taking that from the citizens of Missouri. My bill establishes fines and restitution to restore what was lost."

Black said she has has been working on the wording for the bill for a while, but called it "pretty good timing" that it's ready to be filed after learning of the poached elk in Shannon County.

"Hopefully, this bill would create a statewide system for establishing fines that would deter poachers," Butler said of Black's proposal. "The fines and sentences we have now are so minuscule that people aren't deterred from poaching."

Mark Creed, MDC District Supervisor for the southwest region, said conservation agents can write citations, but it's up to county prosecutors and local judges to decide how much of a fine or sentence to issue.

He said poaching currently is considered a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Conservation agents can advise the courts about the severity of a poaching incident, but ultimately it's up to the local court system to decide the penalties.

"Most cases don't go to that extent," Creed said, referring to the maximum fine and year in jail.

Operation Game Thief is the tip line MDC uses to gain information leading to the arrest and conviction of poachers or other wildlife code violators. Tipsters can remain anonymous, according to MDC. Tips should be submitted to the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-392-1111 or through the local conservation agent.

“The elk restoration of the Missouri Ozarks is a monumental conservation undertaking in our state," Butler said in a news release shortly after the elk was killed. "These majestic creatures are held in public trust, belonging to each and every Missourian. The senseless and despicable killing of this bull for only the sake of its antlers, is an assault on everyone who appreciates wildlife. CFM is determined to see the person or persons responsible for this horrible crime brought to justice."

Conservation Federation of Missouri is accepting donations for the reward fund. Butler said 100 percent of the money collected will go to the reward fund. Donations can be mailed to the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main Jefferson City, Mo., 65248, or make a donation online at confedmo.org. Note donations for “Elk Poaching Reward”.