https://www.wsmv.com/2025/12/22/extensive-poaching-duo-accused-illegally-hunting-selling-meat-middle-tn/
11/22/2025
An investigation into an extensive wildlife poaching operation in Tennessee has led to the arrests and convictions of two Middle Tennessee hunters, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
In the fall of 2024, game wardens in Wilson and Rutherford counties began investigating poaching activity on the counties’ border.
During their initial investigations, the wardens identified two hunters, Robert E. Comer and Carson Smith, who were allegedly engaged in illegal hunting of whitetail deer, along with the illegal sale and bartering of deer meat.
Comer was serving a three-year hunting license revocation due to previous illegal poaching violations in Tennessee. Multiple search warrants led to the seizure of 50 whitetail deer heads and antlers, one wild turkey head and an illegally possessed fox squirrel.
“Game wardens also seized one rifle, one muzzleloader, and one crossbow utilized in the commission of multiple hunting violations,” the TWRA explained.
“Comer pled guilty to two felony counts of Possession/Traffic of Protected Wildlife, one count of Illegal Take, Possession, or Destruction of Wildlife, and two counts of Hunting on Revocation.”
Comer has received a lifetime ban from hunting, fishing and trapping. He’s also been banned from any TWRA-controlled and/or managed lands and will have to pay $15,000 in restitution alongside a 60-day term of incarceration.
Smith has received a three-year hunting privilege revocation.