Justice Served: TWRA Shuts Down Massive Wilson-Rutherford County Poaching Ring

By Derrick R. Stallings _ HuntingOfficer.com

Last week, a massive poaching case that shook the Middle Tennessee hunting community finally came to a close. Following a year-long investigation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) successfully secured guilty pleas from two men involved in a poaching ring that spanned the border of Wilson and Rutherford counties.

Here is a look at the investigation, the shocking seizures, and the heavy penalties handed down to those responsible.

The Tip That Started It All

The case began in the fall of 2024 when a concerned citizen reached out to the TWRA with a tip about illegal activity near the Wilson and Rutherford county line. Game wardens spent the next year uncovering a operation that went far beyond just taking a few extra animals.

The investigation revealed that two men—Robert E. Comer and Carson Smith—were not only illegally hunting whitetail deer but were also actively selling and bartering the meat. Perhaps most egregious was the fact that Comer was already under a three-year hunting license revocation for previous poaching violations at the time.

A Grim Discovery: The Evidence

When game wardens finally executed search warrants, the scale of the poaching became clear. Authorities seized a staggering collection of wildlife and gear, including:

• 50 white-tailed deer heads and antlers
• One wild turkey head
• An illegally possessed fox squirrel
• Multiple weapons, including a rifle, a muzzleloader, and a crossbow used in the crimes.

The illegal activity primarily took place in the areas between Percy Priest Lake and Interstate 840.

The Verdict: Life Sentences and Jail Time

In December 2025, both men pleaded guilty to numerous wildlife-related charges. The court took a particularly hard stance on Robert Comer due to his repeat offender status.

Robert E. Comer’s Sentence:

• Lifetime Ban: Permanent prohibition from hunting, fishing, or trapping in Tennessee.
• Access Ban: Barred for life from entering any TWRA-managed or controlled lands.
• Restitution: Ordered to pay $15,000, partially stemming from his prior 2022 wildlife conviction.
• Jail Time: Sentenced to 60 days in a correctional facility.

Carson Smith’s Sentence:

• Pled guilty to illegal taking, possession, and destruction of wildlife.
• Pled guilty to big game tagging and bag limit violations.
• Received a three-year revocation of all hunting privileges.

Protecting Tennessee’s Wildlife

The TWRA has emphasized that poaching is not just a crime against the law, but a crime against the entire state’s natural heritage and conservation efforts. These investigations often rely on the eyes and ears of the public.

If you suspect illegal hunting or fishing activity, you can contact the TWRA Poaching Hotline at 1-800-831-1174. You can also find more information on regulations and how to hunt legally on the official TWRA website.

*AI was used to research and create this post.