The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri legislature and governor have taken actions to increase penalties for those caught poaching Missouri game animals and other native wildlife species.
A news release from MDC says Governor Michael Parson signed HB260 into law July 11. Called the Poaching Bill, it significantly raises fines for those convicted of illegally taking Missouri game species and other native wildlife.
New fine amounts- which will go into effect on August 28- include $10,000-$15,000 for each elk or black bear killed illegally, $1,000-$5,000 for each white-tailed buck, $500-$1,000 for each wild turkey, and $500-$1,000 for each paddlefish.
The fines are considered restitution payments for poaching game animals and are ordered by a judge. Monies from the fines go to the state’s school moneys fund. The restitution payments are in addition to other fines and penalties for violating the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Depending on the violation, MDC staff also can then assign persons convicted of Code violations anywhere from zero to 16 points per violation; and once a person accumulates 16 points, MDC staff will review the circumstances surrounding the violations and may recommend that the Conservation Commission consider revoking or suspending the person’s permit privileges for up to one year. If a person accumulates more than 16 points, the recommendation to the Commission may be for a suspension of more than one year.
Staff also considers the person’s accumulated points for the past five years in making recommendations to the Commission.
Examples of recent MDC penalty-point increases are:
· Illegal baiting of wildlife from 4 to 8 points;
· Buying, selling, having, or releasing prohibited invasive species from 4 to 16 points;
· Violations related to paddlefish from 4 to 12 points;
· Taking over the legal limit of deer and turkeys from 8 to 12 points;
· Doubling points for other violations related to illegal taking of wildlife from 4 to 8 points; and
· Releasing feral hogs into the wild from 0 to 16 points.
Learn more about MDC’s point system for wildlife violations at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/about-regulations/point-system-wildlife-code-violations
MDC asks that anyone with information on poaching cases call Operation Game Thief at (800) 392-1111.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gov. Mike Parson recently signed HB260 (Poaching Bill) into law that significantly raises fines for those convicted of illegally taking Missouri game species and other native wildlife. He is shown here signing the bill and is flanked by MDC commissioners, director, and staff, along with key state legislators and others.