A 14-year-old Missouri girl, Abby Wilson, accidentally shot a protected elk during a legal deer hunting trip with her father, Don White.
Upon realizing the mistake, her father reported it to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Officials confirmed the elk’s identity, noting its rarity in Boone County.
The incident sparked online backlash, with some criticizing Abby while others defended her as inexperienced.
Her father vowed to pay any fines and hoped to keep the meat and antlers, though officials denied the request and may donate the meat to needy families if disease-free. The event has fueled debates on accountability and education in hunting
