The Conservation Federation of Missouri has announced its support for two bills that have been introduced in the state legislature that would allow judges to order poachers to pay an increase in restitution fees.

Tyler Schwartze, events manager for CFM, said the Missouri House of Representatives will soon take up for debate the legislation.

The fees outlined in both the House Bill and the Senate Bill would increase fines from $2,500 to $5,000 for poaching black bear or elk, $1,000 to $2,000 for poaching deer, $500 to $1,000 for poaching paddlefish and $375 to $750 for poaching wild turkey.

These bills specify that the court may require any person found guilty of…