Appanoose--poached-deerA father and his son are accused of illegally killing deer and other wildlife in southwest Iowa. Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren says charges are pending against 47-year-old John Chamberlin, Jr. and 23-year-old Sean Chamberlin after a search of their property in rural Atlantic.

McLaren says his deputies and an officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources seized 111 deer, including an untagged deer. Most of the deer that were seized involved only deer antlers. The officers found a badger and a raccoon that were also allegedly taken illegally.

The investigation began on December 29 after a caller alerted the Cass County Sheriff’s office about someone dumping litter along a level B road. In the trash pile, deputies found hides from four deer, a raccoon and a badger carcass. “Without that phone call, we would not have charges and that person (who made the call)…we’re indebted to them now,” McLaren said.