Massachusetts Environmental Police bring forward 56 additional charges against two hunting violators

“UPDATE:

56 additional charges have been brought forward against two of the three individuals in this case, to include five additional illegal deer killings conducted in a similar manner within the same region.

Further charges are also being sought in the State of New Hampshire, resulting from the illegal harvest and transport of deer across state lines. The crossing of state lines prompted an investigation into potential federal Lacey Act violations, resulting the reporting of the incident to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The defendants did not appear at a recent show cause hearing where probable cause was found for all charges. The parties were subsequently arraigned on Tuesday, March 15 and required to surrender all bows, crossbows, and hunting licenses, and had all hunting privileges within the Commonwealth revoked until the case is disposed. The pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May.

Maximum penalties per count include:

1.) Discharge w/in 150’ Roadway (11 counts): $100 fine, $1000/deer, 30 days in jail, loss of license 1 year
2.) Illegal use of Crossbow (10 counts): $100, 60 days in jail, loss of license 1 year
3.) Hunt w/Artificial Light (11 counts): $500, 6 months in jail, loss of license 1 year
4.) Hunt w/aid Motor Vehicle (11 counts): $1000, 1 year in jail, loss of license 1 year
5.) Closed Season -After Hours (11 counts): $100, $1000/deer, 6 months in jail
6.) Deer Tagging Violation (5 counts): $1000, $1000/deer, 6 months jail
7.) Hunting Public Property (1 count): $100, $1000/deer, 6 months jail
8.) Import/Export Violation (2 counts): $100, $1000/deer, 6 months, loss license 1 year
9.) Wanton Waste (2 counts): $100, $1000/deer, 6 months jail, loss of license 1 year
10.) No Hunting License (5 counts): $100, $1000/deer, 6 months
11.) No Archery Stamp (1 count): $100, 30 days jail, loss of license 1 year.” -Massachusetts Environmental Police.