Stamford Man Shoots Huge Buck in Vermont, One Day Late
OutdoorHub 01.29.13
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 that Jim Smith, 47, of Stamford was witnessed removing the 10-point buck from the woods on November 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 December 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 February 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).
