MILTON, Vt. - Three Milton, Vermont men have been cited by Vermont state game wardens in a deer poaching case that allegedly resulted in at least 12 deer being taken illegally.

After Warden Robert Currier of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department received information about the case, Vermont state game wardens executed a search warrant on March 31 for a residence and two vehicles in Milton. Evidence seized during the execution of the warrant as well as information collected during further investigation resulted in three arrests.

Jordan Draper, 18, of Milton was cited for 12 counts of taking deer in closed season and 4 counts of possession of big game in closed season. Scott Little, 25, of Milton was cited for 12 counts of taking deer in closed season and two counts of taking deer by illegal means. Christopher Munro, 34, of Milton was cited for taking deer in closed season and illegal transportation of big game.

For each count of taking deer in closed season offenders face up to $4,000 in fines and restitution and 60 days in jail or both. They also face the loss of their privilege to hunt, fish and or trap in Vermont and all states included in the Interstate Wildlife Compact for three years.

Draper and Little also face multiple charges of shooting from a public highway, shooting from a vehicle and possessing a loaded long gun within a motor vehicle. For each of these charges they face fines up to $1,000. For the charge of illegal transportation of big game the offender faces up to $2,000 in fines and the loss of their privilege to hunt, fish and or trap in the state of Vermont and all states included in the Interstate Wildlife Compact for three years.

Draper, Little and Munro will be arraigned in Chittenden District Court on June 10.

"We're here to protect the resource and to support ethical Vermont hunters who pursue game lawfully and follow hunting regulations," said Col. David LeCours, head of law enforcement for Vermont Fish & Wildlife, noting that wildlife in Vermont is held in the public trust. "Those few who choose to break the law face serious consequences."

"We appreciate the excellent effort Currier and the other wardens put into solving this case," said LeCours, noting that Warden Currier is among the new officers who joined the department after legislature helped bring the field warden corps back to full staff.

If you have information about fish or wildlife violations, you can contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378) or online at www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_thief.cfm. Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest. You can also contact your warden through the local state police barracks.

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Media Contacts: Col. David LeCours, 802-828-1529