MDC Using Various Vehicles to Detect Hunting Violations

Brandon Lyddon, Conservation Agent

Missouri Conservation Law Enforcement Agents use various tools and equipment including 4x4 trucks, airplanes, helicopters, off road utility vehicles, night vision equipment, canines, and boats to help their conservation law enforcement efforts and serve the state with public safety and search and rescue operations. Equipment is used in the air to locate spotlighting and other illegal activity at night.

Some of the common violations during conservation law enforcement airplane patrols are spotlighting deer and other wildlife, take wildlife out of season, hunting permit violations, take deer and other wildlife from a public roadway, and conservation area regulation violations. Other state law violations are often encountered and those are enforced as well including driving while intoxicated/impaired, drug violations, other motor vehicle violations, and arrests for outstanding warrants.   

To report conservation violations call the OGT (Operation Game Thief) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-392-1111, you can remain anonymous and rewards are possible.