Agent discusses scope, frequency of local wildlife code violations

Vernon County Conservation Agent Justin Fogle has written tickets for several deer-related violations in the past few months.

Fogle said the charges vary from shooting a deer from a vehicle to shooting a deer during closed season, checking and tagging violations and other infractions. Fogle said that during the time period covered by these charges he had encountered 38 violations and written 21 citations. Some of the charges have already been resolved, according to Fogle.

Fogle said most of the violations were crimes of "opportunity" and that it had been "a big year for deer poaching." The deer season itself was busy for Fogle. He said the approximately 60 citations he'd written were "the most I've ever written during deer season." Fogle said his investigation into some cases continues and that more citations will be issued.

Anyone wishing to report wildlife violations can call Vernon County Conservation Agents Justin Fogle at (417) 465-2858 or Shawn Pennington at (417) 667-2671 or dial the toll free Operation Game Thief number at (800) 392-1111.