The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division has concluded the Kentucky portion of an investigation of a Tennessee man charged with poaching and other violations in Kentucky.
Game Warden Dylan Fields initiated the investigation in January 2025 suspecting the man of illegally taking wildlife in Martin County, Kentucky. Working in coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), investigators determined the individual unlawfully killed four deer and one elk in the county. Evidence obtained through cell phone mapping data and photographs revealed that the suspect also entered private property without the landowner’s permission while committing the offenses. None of the animals were properly tagged as required by law.
As a result of the investigation, Tanner Smelcer, 25, of Sevierville, Tennessee, was charged with a total of 18 wildlife-related violations in Kentucky, including the illegal taking of an elk, unlawful entry to hunt without consent, spotlighting, shooting from a public roadway, license and tagging violations and the unlawful taking of four deer. The investigation was conducted in coordination with 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 elk and four counts of illegal take of deer. The Martin County District Court ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine and $4,804.27 in restitution, and he received a three-year suspension of hunting privileges.
This case underscores the importance of cooperative enforcement efforts between state wildlife agencies and reinforces the commitment to protecting wildlife resources and holding violators accountable.
The public is encouraged to report suspected poaching activity to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife by calling 800-25-ALERT, texting “KFWLAW” and your message to tip411 (847411), or by contacting their local Kentucky Game Warden at the Find My County Contact webpage on the department’s website (fw.ky.gov) or their local Kentucky State Police.