Photo: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
(Des Moines, IA) -- Three men are charged with multiple hunting violations after an investigation in southeast Iowa's Des Moines County. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the investigation began after an anonymous tip to a conservation officer, about the unlawful taking of a mature white-tailed deer this fall. Investigators discovered additional deer, and a turkey taken, as well as multiple hunting violations and a felon in possession of a firearm. The D-N-R says the individual faces the possible loss of hunting privileges as well as the loss of the firearm used to take the deer and turkey.
The D-N-R says a second case grew from an investigation into suspicious activity in northern Des Moines County in November that lead state conservation officers to a machine shed where they discovered three mature white-tailed deer along with several antlerless deer that were allegedly illegally harvested.
Officers identified two individuals who were charged with hunting over bait, using firearms and crossbows in archery season and multiple deer tagging violations. Both individuals face the possible loss of hunting privileges as well as the loss of the firearms, bows and crossbow used to take the deer.
Potential fines and civil damages from these cases could exceed $100,000. All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.