Maryville, TN – Two Tipton County men have had their hunting privileges revoked for three years after being convicted of multiple hunting violations, following an extensive investigation by wildlife officers from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. The investigation, which began in April, culminated in a joint operation that resulted in the men being charged with illegal hunting practices, exceeding game limits, and hunting without proper licenses.
Dustin Goulder, 39, and Timothy McNeley, 43, both of Tipton County, were identified as the subjects of the investigation, which traced multiple instances of illegal hunting activity across state lines. Officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), along with their counterparts from Arkansas and Missouri, worked together to gather evidence, including search warrants executed in September. During the search, authorities seized three firearms that the men had used in the illegal shooting of multiple birds.
On December 17, both Goulder and McNeley appeared in Tipton County Court, where they reached plea agreements regarding their charges. Goulder pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal turkey possession and one count of a big game tagging violation. In addition to the criminal charges, Goulder was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution, $517.50 in court costs, and was placed on supervised probation for one year.
McNeley, for his part, pleaded guilty to four counts of illegal duck possession. He was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $345 in court costs.
As part of their sentence, both men have been banned from hunting in any of the 46 states that participate in the Wildlife Violators Compact for the next three years, effectively barring them from hunting in a majority of the United States.
The case highlights the ongoing collaboration between state wildlife agencies to address illegal hunting and enforce wildlife conservation laws. Authorities have made it clear that such violations, especially when they cross state lines, will result in serious consequences for those involved.
