Eden man arrested for attempted poaching
STOWE—A Lamoille County man was apprehended by state game wardens on Oct. 11 for taking big game by illegal means. Elwin H. Gale, 52, of Eden was arrested by wardens after he shot at a deer facsimile with the aid of his vehicle headlights in Stowe. Wardens witnessed Gale exit the driver’s side of his vehicle and shoot an arrow at the facsimile while it was illuminated in the vehicle’s headlights. Vermont law prohibits taking big game with the use of lights. A person convicted of taking big game by illegal means loses the right to hunt, fish or trap for three years and faces a fine up to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. Gale’s arraignment date in Lamoille Superior Court is Nov. 25.
Richford man arrested for shooting from the road
MONTGOMERY—A Franklin County man was apprehended by state game wardens on Oct. 16 for shooting from the road in an attempt to poach deer. Bradly A. Conger, Sr., 42, of Richford was arrested by wardens after he shot from a road in Montgomery at a deer facsimile. Wardens witnessed Conger exit from the passenger side of a vehicle, draw a compound bow and shoot while standing in the travelled portion of the road. Vermont law prohibits shooting at wildlife from within 25 feet of the travelled portion of a public highway. Mr. Conger was previously convicted of shooting his muzzleloader from a vehicle in 2004 and failure to tag a deer in 2011. A person convicted of shooting from the road loses his or her right to hunt, fish or trap for one year and faces a fine of up to $1,000.
“People who poach deer are not representative of Vermont’s hunters,” said Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont’s chief game warden. “By far, the majority of us who hunt see poaching as a serious threat to our wildlife resources.”
Vermont wardens rely heavily on confidential information provided by the public. If you witness illegal activity, please alert a Vermont State game warden immediately by calling your local state police barracks. You can also contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378) or online at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com/cms/one.aspx?objectId=166957.
Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest.
