On August 27th, Conservation Agents responded to a tip from private citizens concerning multiple shots fired on Brickyard Hill Conservation Area near Rock Port. Agents Eric Abbott, Anthony Maupin, and Josh Roller contacted three Minnesota men at the conclusion of their hunt. The three men had taken a total of 101 squirrels; exceeding the legal daily limit by 71. Missouri’s legal daily limit on squirrels is 10 per hunter.
The three Minnesota men were issued citations for the gross over limit of squirrels and for failure to keep wildlife separate and/or identifiable from wildlife belonging to another. They were taken to the Atchison County Jail where they posted a cash bond and were released later that evening.
Agent Maupin stated, “Without local cooperation from concerned citizens we would not have been able to make this case. At times, conservation agents rely heavily on public cooperation and in this case, it prevented these poachers from getting away with serious violations.”
“Northwest Missouri is blessed with an abundant squirrel population but this kind of behavior can take its toll in a hurry” added Agent Abbott.