A De Soto man who illegally killed and abandoned a bull elk in 2023 in Shannon County, Missouri, was sentenced earlier this month to 60 days in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Michael K. O’Neail, who pleaded guilty, was also sentenced to 60 days in jail but that was suspended pending completion of two years of probation.

A 14-year-old deer hunter reported finding the elk carcass near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County on the opening weekend of firearms deer season in November 2023. That sparked a nine-month investigation in which Missouri Department of Conservation agents interviewed numerous deer hunters, contacted local businesses and reviewed surveillance and elk-monitoring camera footage.

Two other men not directly responsible for the elk poaching, Kevin B. Click and Travis R. W

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