CEDAR COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have ended an illegal scheme that was taking white-tailed deer in Iowa.

An investigation that began in 2017 led to a larger investigation into the illegal use of landowner tenant deer tags in Iowa.

The investigation found out of state poachers in Cedar County were performing illegal activity for at least 16 years.

“Thanks to one single tip from the public which led us to the initial investigation and eventually turned into something much greater, we were able to put a stop to years and years of illegal activity,” said Eric Wright, DNR conservation officer.

The investigation found a Michigan family, with three generations of hunters, were poaching deer on a privately-owned Iowa farm without the hunting permits or tags.