Major Arrest for Deer Poaching at Lake of the Ozarks
An anonymous tip on the Operation Game Thief hotline has led to a major arrest for deer poaching near the Lake of the Ozarks, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
23-year-old Harold Piatt was arrested near Tuscumbia and is charged with several misdemeanors including 14 counts of taking deer illegally with the aid of artificial light and taking deer during closed season, as well as drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges.
Under new House Bill 260, authorities may also seek restitution of $1,000 – $5,000 for each antlered deer, with money going to public schools in the counties where the violations occurred.
If you witness or suspect a wildlife violation, report it to your local conservation agent or call the toll-free number —1-800-392-1111— which is manned 24 hours a day. You may remain anonymous, and you may ask to be considered for a reward if you wish.
If you provide information that results in an arrest and you’ve asked to be considered for a reward, your agent will refer this request to a citizen board of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. That board assigns a reward based on the severity of the violation involved. Rewards range from $50 to $1,000.
Authorities say you should NEVER attempt to intervene yourself.
When you call, you will be asked several questions. Here are a few things to remember when you witness a suspected violation:
- Nature of suspected illegal activity
- Date and time of violation
- The suspect’s identity, if possible
- Description of the suspects and vehicles
How does poaching affect you?
- Poachers steal your opportunity to hunt, fish or collect legally.
- Those who cheat the permit system cheat every Missouri taxpayer. The Conservation Department depends on revenue from hunting and fishing permits to manage wildlife populations and habitat.
How can you tell if someone is poaching?
Each year, conservation agents spend time tracking down poachers who disregard regulations protecting wildlife. Here are some of the illegal activities that agents dealt with last year:
- Hunting from the road
- Disposing of carcasses and other body parts in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes
- Harvesting a deer or turkey and putting someone else’s permit on it
- Using a spotlight to harvest deer or turkeys
A person is poaching if he or she…
- Sells venison, deer sausage, fish or small game to acquaintances or at work.
- Collects live animals for sale.
- Many native species of reptiles and amphibians (turtles, lizards, snakes and frogs) are illegally taken for worldwide pet trade.
- Hunts without a permit or with an inappropriate permit.
- Some non-residents will try to buy lower-cost resident permits, even though they are not qualified to do so.
- Collects native seeds, plants or roots on Conservation Department lands.