Thursday, August 18, 2016

VT.Arlington Man Charged in Deer Poaching Case

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
VT Fish & Wildlife photo
Mugshot of Michael Crawford of Arlington, VT
 

Arlington, Vt. -- Michael Crawford, 31, of Arlington, Vermont was arraigned on Monday August 15 following an eight-month investigation by game wardens, spurred by a tip to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Facebook page.  The tip linked to a photo of Crawford on his Facebook page posing with an 8-point white-tailed buck that he allegedly took during Vermont’s 2015 November deer season. 
 
Crawford’s Facebook post generated complaints and comments that the deer had been shot at night with a rifle.  Crawford is a locally known convicted felon and not allowed to possess a firearm. 
 
In an initial investigation, Crawford reported he harvested the deer on November 16 in Danby and that it was a 183 lb. 8-point buck taken with a muzzleloader.  Additional investigation and input from responsible sportsmen revealed that the deer was taken in the Village of Manchester in the area of Union Street. 
 
A direct witness reported that the deer was shot at about 8:00 p.m. with the aid of car headlights in a field adjacent to Union Street and Richville Road.
 
At his arraignment, Mr. Crawford pled “not guilty” in Bennington Superior Court to the charges of taking big game by illegal means – second offense, and taking game by illegal methods – the headlights of a car.  He faces a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 for each offense and possible imprisonment for up to 60 days.  He also faces a possible restitution charge of up to $2,000 for killing the buck. 

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