by The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
posted
Feb 14, 2013
Photo by Vermont Big Game Trophy
Club
These antlers are from a huge buck shot in Stamford, Vt - one
day after the November deer season ended.
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says that a Stamford
man shot and killed a large trophy-antlered buck a day after the
2012 rifle season ended.
After following up on a tip saying that Jim Smith, 47, of
Stamford was removing a 10-point buck from the woods on Nov. 26,
2012 Vermont State Game Wardens discovered the deer had not been
reported. Wardens Richard Watkin, Kelly Price and David
Taddei went to Smith's house on Dec. 19 to conduct an
interview. During the interview, Smith confessed to killing
the deer a day after rifle season ended after erroneously believing
that the season was still open.
Jim Smith was charged with "taking deer in closed season," which
carries a potential 60-day jail term for the first offense. If
convicted, he would also lose his right to hunt, fish and trap in
Vermont for three years and face up to $3,000 in fines and
restitution. The antlers, meat and hide were seized by
wardens. Arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 11 in Bennington
District Court.
According to Curtis Smiley, president of the Vermont Big Game
Trophy Club, the buck is one of the largest deer killed in Vermont
in more than 20 years with a Boone and Crockett score of 165 2/8
gross.
Wardens need your help. When you see or hear of illegal
activity, please immediately contact a Vermont State Game Warden by
calling your local State Police Barracks. You can also contact
Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378).
