Fair Haven
posted
Nov 12, 2012
A Poultney man is facing charges after poaching two deer in Fair
Haven in October.
Vermont State Game Warden Robert Sterling and Fair Haven Police
Officer Ken Jones were patrolling for deer poaching activity on the
evening of Friday October, 19. At approximately 11 p.m. they
observed a vehicle shining a light into fields along Swamp Road in
Fair Haven. The vehicle's driver was then observed firing a 30.06
rifle at a deer in a field.
Warden Sterling and Officer Jones then stopped the vehicle and
made the arrest. The driver and shooter was 21-year old Joshua
Newton of Poultney.
In the vehicle was a loaded 30.06 rifle with a fired cartridge
casing still in the gun. The following day blood was found in
the field where the shot was fired, indicating that Newton had
wounded a deer. This deer was not located.
Further investigation revealed Newton had also illegally killed
a deer with the same rifle on Swamp Road in Fair Haven a week
earlier and left the deer in the field. The remains of this deer
were located.
Newton is facing charges of taking a wild deer by use of a light
and at night for the deer on the Oct. 19 and taking a deer in
closed season with a rifle on Oct. 7.
If convicted of both offenses, Newton will be subject to fines
and restitution of up to $5,000 and forfeiture of his rifle to the
State. Newton will also have his privileges to hunt, fish and
trap suspended for three years.
The illegal shooting of deer at night is on the rise in
Vermont. Wardens need your help in apprehending these thieves
of our natural resources. 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).
