An investigation by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has resulted in multiple convictions and long-term hunting bans for two Middle Tennessee men accused of illegally poaching and trafficking white-tailed deer, according to court records and agency officials.
Game wardens began investigating suspected poaching activity in the fall of 2024 after receiving information from a concerned citizen. The activity was believed to be occurring near the border of Wilson and Rutherford counties. During the early stages of the investigation, wardens identified Robert E. Comer and Carson Smith as suspects connected to the unlawful taking of deer and the illegal sale and bartering of deer meat.
According to TWRA, Comer was already serving a three-year hunting license revocation at the time of the investigation due to prior wildlife violations in Tennessee. Despite the revocation, authorities allege Comer continued hunting and participating in illegal wildlife activity.
The investigation escalated after wardens executed multiple search warrants tied to the case. During those searches, authorities seized 50 white-tailed deer heads and antlers, one wild turkey head, and one illegally possessed fox squirrel. Officials also confiscated several weapons believed to have been used in the violations, including a rifle, a muzzleloader, and a crossbow.
Court records show Comer later pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Those charges included two felony counts of possession or trafficking of protected wildlife, one count of illegal take, possession, or destruction of wildlife, and two counts of hunting while his license was revoked. As part of his sentence, Comer received a lifetime ban from hunting, fishing, and trapping in Tennessee. He was also permanently prohibited from entering any TWRA-managed or controlled lands.
In addition to the lifetime ban, Comer was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. That total includes restitution connected to a prior 2022 wildlife conviction. The court also sentenced Comer to serve 60 days in jail.
Smith also faced multiple charges stemming from the investigation. According to court documents, he pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal take, possession, or destruction of wildlife, one count of violating statewide big game hunting season and bag limits, and one count related to a big game tagging violation. Smith received a three-year revocation of his hunting privileges as part of his sentence.
TWRA officials emphasized that illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking undermine conservation efforts and fair-chase principles. The agency credited the investigation to cooperation between game wardens and information provided by the public.
