Illegal Hunting Results in Lifetime Revocation of Hunting Privileges

ALEXANDRIA, Tenn. --- A Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) investigation into the illegal harvest of wild turkeys has led to the discovery of years of wildlife violations and the lifetime revocation of hunting privileges for a Smith County man.

The investigation began on March 28, 2026, after a concerned citizen reported that two wild turkeys had been illegally harvested near Alexandria. The caller provided game wardens with a photograph of the suspect vehicle, allowing officers to identify the vehicle and locate its owner.

During the investigation, TWRA game wardens interviewed Austin Hale, who admitted he had been in the area at the time the turkeys were shot but denied any wrongdoing. As TWRA game wardens continued their investigation, they discovered discrepancies in Hale's wildlife harvest reporting.

Further investigation revealed that deer in Hale's possession had been harvested outside legal hunting seasons and later reported the harvests during open season dates.

TWRA game wardens obtained a search warrant for Hale's digital devices, which uncovered evidence indicating illegal harvests dating back to at least 2023. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at Hale's residence, where TWRA game wardens discovered Hale was in possession of a substantial amount of illegally harvested wildlife parts. Overall, TWRA wardens seized 18 deer mounts, 52 turkey beards, 84 turkey spurs, and one turkey fan mount, with the vast majority of those items being obtained illegally. All items were seized as evidence, pending Hale's court appearance.

On July 24, 2026, Austin Hale pled guilty to six counts of illegal possession of wildlife. As part of the plea agreement, the Court ordered a lifetime revocation of all hunting privileges, forfeiture of all wildlife parts seized during the investigation, and six years of supervised probation. As part of his guilty plea, Hale agreed to make a $1,000 donation to the Tennessee Hunter Education Fund in lieu of forfeiture of two deer mounts.

Following the Tennessee court-ordered hunting privilege revocations, the offender was entered into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, resulting in those revocations being recognized and enforced by all participating member states.

TWRA encourages anyone who witnesses suspected wildlife violations to report them to their local game warden or through the agency's poaching hotline (https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/contact-us.html#poaching).

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also promotes public safety through law enforcement and boater safety education on Tennessee's waterways.

---TWRA---