Hailey
An 18-year-old has been taken into custody in connection with the illegal killing of a number of deer in Clinton County, Illinois, authorities report.
The high-profile case began when several deer carcasses were discovered scattered in fields adjacent to roadways in the Boulder area near Carlyle Lake on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Law-enforcement officials from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Conservation Police launched a joint investigation after the initial discovery.
Over the weekend, additional carcasses were found, and the investigation suggests as many as 13 deer may have been shot and left to decay.
Investigators assert that the animals appear to have been shot from the roadway, a violation of state wildlife regulations and a serious public-safety issue due to the risk of discharging firearms near traffic and private property.
Several local residents reported seeing suspicious vehicle activity along the rural roads at night, and authorities had posted a reward through the local CrimeStoppers program in hopes of getting tips leading to arrests and prosecution.
Within days of the reward announcement, the 18-year-old suspect was arrested and is now being held while authorities process evidence and determine whether additional persons may have been involved.
Investigation Timeline and Key Facts
- Initial discovery: Friday, October 24, 2025 – several deer found shot in fields near road-side in Boulder area.
- Investigation launched: Shortly thereafter by Clinton County Sheriff’s Office & Illinois Conservation Police.
- Estimated deer killed: Up to 13 animals, still being verified.
- Method alleged: Deer appear to have been shot from the roadway and left to rot.
- Suspect: An 18-year-old in custody; charges being reviewed by prosecutors.
- Public appeal: Reward offered for information leading to arrest and prosecution of all responsible parties.
- Area of incidents: Rural roads and fields near Carlyle Lake in Clinton County, Illinois.
Case Information At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect status | 18-year-old in custody |
| Estimated number killed | Up to 13 deer |
| Location of incidents | Fields and road-sides near Boulder/Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, IL |
| Alleged illegal method | Shooting from roadway, wasteful killing |
| Agencies involved | Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Conservation Police |
| Public tip appeal | CrimeStoppers reward announced |
Why This Case Matters
The alleged conduct raises serious concerns beyond wildlife loss. Shooting from or along public roadways carries major public-safety risks, including stray bullets, traffic collisions, and trespass.
The apparent waste of a wildlife resource—killing deer and leaving them uneaten or unrecovered—also draws strong condemnation from conservation-minded citizens and officials.
By illegally taking game in this manner, the suspect(s) not only broke the law but undermined the trust and cooperation required for sustainable wildlife management.
What Happens Next
The investigation remains active. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, gathering physical evidence at multiple sites, interviewing potential witnesses, and continuing to search the area for any additional carcasses or clues.
Once the prosecutors receive the full investigative report, the suspect will likely face formal charges, which may include illegal taking of wildlife, wanton waste, discharging a firearm from a roadway, and related offenses.
Meanwhile, officers are urging residents near the Boulder/Carlyle Lake region to remain vigilant, report any unusual nighttime activity, and check fields or road-side areas for additional dead animals.
The arrest of an 18-year-old in the case of a suspected string of deer killings in Clinton County underscores the serious consequences of illegally discharging firearms and killing wildlife for no legitimate purpose.
With the estimated killing of up to 13 deer, the case has drawn strong attention from conservation authorities and the local community.
As the investigation continues, residents near the Boulder/Carlyle Lake area remain central to identifying any further incidents or accessories to the crime.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this arrest alone addresses the full scope of the illegal activity or whether more enforcement actions will follow.