The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division has wrapped up the Kentucky phase of an investigation involving a Tennessee man accused of poaching and other violations within the state.
Game Warden Dylan Fields launched the investigation in January 2025 after suspecting the man of illegally harvesting wildlife in Martin County, Kentucky. In coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), officers confirmed that he unlawfully killed four deer and one elk in the county. Cell phone mapping data and photographs showed that he also trespassed on private property without the landowner’s consent while committing the offenses. Authorities found that none of the animals were properly tagged as required by law.
Following the investigation, 25-year-old Tanner Smelcer of Sevierville, Tennessee, faced 18 wildlife-related charges in Kentucky. These included illegal take of an elk, unlawful entry to hunt without permission, spotlighting, shooting from a public roadway, license and tagging violations, and the illegal take of four deer. Officials conducted the investigation alongside TWRA, and the case remains under investigation in Tennessee.
The man has since pleaded guilty to the final Kentucky-related charges, including one count of illegal take of an elk and four counts of illegal take of deer. The Martin County District Court ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine along with $4,804.27 in restitution. He also received a three-year suspension of his hunting privileges.
This case highlights the value of cooperative enforcement between state wildlife agencies and reaffirms their commitment to safeguarding wildlife resources while holding violators accountable.
Officials urge the public to report suspected poaching to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife by calling 800-25-ALERT, texting KFWLAW along with a message to tip411 (847411), contacting a local Kentucky Game Warden through the Find My County Contact page on the department’s website (fw.ky.gov), or reaching out to the Kentucky State Police.
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