Magazine Article and Photos Lead to Conviction of Hunter for Wildlife Violations

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Kyle McCormack, 26, from Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve a year probation and pay $500 fine after being convicted of illegal transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce, a violation of the Lacey Act, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

In the July 2012 edition of the Buckmasters magazine, there was a two-page article credited to McCormack including “trophy” photographs of the racks of whitetail bucks. Following a tip to authorities, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism sought assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The investigation uncovered that McCormack did not have valid hunting licenses in the locations identified in the article and that the wildlife was illegally killed in Washington and transported to Oklahoma.

McCormack was charged on October 22, 2013, with illegal transportation of an elk and black-tailed deer in interstate commerce. McCormack pled guilty to both counts and was sentenced to serve one year probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine. McCormack also agreed to pay $2,500 into the Lacey Act Reward Account.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Don Gifford II.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests that anyone having information relating to a wildlife law violation to call the “Operation Game Thief” hotline in their state. The Oklahoma number for “Operation Game Thief” is (800)522-8039 and accepts calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential and the reporting individual has the option of remaining anonymous. You can also visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/southwest/law enforcement/stateagencies.html to find additional information.