Mississippi poachers arrested for illegally killing nearly 100 wild turkeys

A group of South Mississippians believed to have killed nearly 100 turkeys during the 2019 season have been charged and arrested. These arrests follow an 11-month investigation by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks  Conservation Officers resulting in approximately 280 wildlife violations being issued to 14 different subjects.

The following individuals have been arrested:

• Kenneth Ray Britt, (39 of Wesson, MS); charged with 142 wildlife violations.
• Tony Grant Smith, (25 of Wesson, MS); charged with 68 wildlife violations.
• Allen Shelton Morgan, (48 of Brookhaven, MS); charged with 28 violations.
• Breanna Jeanine McKay, (26 of Wesson, MS); charged with 5 violations.

This group is believed to be responsible for poaching nearly 100 turkeys and trespassing on 15 properties in Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson and Lincoln counties. It was discovered during the investigation that the illegal activities were not limited to Mississippi. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also conducting an investigation of the illegal out-of-state hunts.

“This is the most blatant disregard for Mississippi’s conservation laws I have seen in my 33 years of service with this agency,” said Col. Steve Adcock, chief of MDWFP Law Enforcement Bureau. “The primary mission of the MDWFP Law Enforcement Bureau is to detect and hold accountable those persons who jeopardize our rich hunting heritage by committing lawless acts such as these.”