Two Morristown Men Charged in Deer Poaching Case

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MORRISTOWN, Vt. – Andrew Fecteau, age 23, of Morristown and Thomas Chamberlin, age 29, of Morristown were arrested on October 22 by State Game Wardens in an attempted deer poaching case.

Responding to tips that deer poaching was occurring at night in the area, Vermont State Game Wardens were operating a deer facsimile that evening in Morristown, near the Elmore town line.

At about 10:40 p.m., Andrew Fecteau drove by the facsimile, turned around, drove back and stopped, letting his passenger, Thomas Chamberlin, lean out the window and shoot the facsimile while the vehicle headlights illuminated it.

Wardens stepped out of the bushes, ordering the men to stop and shut off the car. Fecteau instead proceeded to accelerate and drive directly at one of the wardens at a speed of approximately 25 mph, striking the warden, injuring him slightly. The other warden obtained the license plate of the vehicle as it sped away.

Within the hour, Morristown Police officers located the vehicle at Fecteau's residence, hidden on the property with plates removed. The bow that was used was found in the bushes one quarter mile from where the facsimile was shot, after having been thrown from the passenger window.

Fecteau and Chamberlin were found at their residences and taken into custody.

Fecteau was charged with aiding in the violations of taking deer by illegal means, taking deer in closed season, shooting from a vehicle, as well as eluding an officer in a negligent manner, and assaulting an officer. Fecteau was cited to appear in Lamoille Superior Court on October 28, where he was represented by a public defender. He denied the charges.

Chamberlin was charged with taking deer by illegal means, taking deer in closed season and shooting from the road. He was cited to appear in Lamoille Superior Court on October 28 where he pled guilty to taking deer by illegal means. The guilty plea carried with it a three year suspension of Chamberlin's rights to hunt, fish and trap in Vermont and 43 other states as well as a $722.00 fine. Chamberlin also forfeited his archery equipment as part of the fine and penalty.

"I commend the wardens involved for their professional conduct, and I am reminded that courage as well as vigilance is sometimes required when protecting Vermont's natural resources," said Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont's chief game warden.
"People who poach deer are not representative of Vermont's hunters," added Batchelder. "Most hunters 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 http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/cms/one.aspx?objectId=166957. Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest.