TIPTON COUNTY—Wildlife officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and the Missouri Department of Conservation conducted a joint investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of two men from Tipton County. Both men lost their hunting privileges for three years due to multiple violations related to big game hunting.
Since April, wildlife officers from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri have been working together to investigate wildlife violations. These violations include the illegal taking of wildlife, exceeding game limits, and hunting without a license. Based on the evidence gathered during this investigation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) executed search warrants on September 26 and September 27. During these searches, they discovered three firearms that were used for the illegal taking of wildlife.
On December 17, Dustin Goulder, 39, and Timothy McNeley, 43, appeared in Tipton County General Sessions Court. In a plea agreement, Goulder pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal possession of a turkey and one count of a big game tagging violation. He was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and $517.50 in court costs. Goulder will be on supervised probation for 11 months and 29 days, losing his hunting privileges for three years.
Timothy McNeley pleaded guilty to four counts of illegal duck possession. He was ordered to pay fines totaling $1,000 and $345 in costs, and he lost his hunting privileges for three years.
According to the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact, individuals whose hunting privileges have been revoked are not permitted to hunt in any of the 46 states that participate in this agreement.