BARTON, Vt. -- A Barton, Vermont man will pay more than $1,000 in fines and court fees and lose his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. Kenneth Bacon, Jr. of Barton pled "no contest" on January 7, 2015 in Orleans District Court to taking deer in closed season and reckless endangerment.

Bacon shot from a vehicle on a Craftsbury public road on November 30, 2013 and then fled as Vermont Fish & Wildlife wardens attempted to apprehend him, putting one warden in danger of serious injury.

Wardens were in Craftsbury at the time conducting an operation in response to several complaints of illegal road hunting and poaching activity in the area.

On December 7, 2013 Bacon was apprehended in Barton and issued tickets and citations for possessing a loaded rifle in a motor vehicle, shooting from a motor vehicle, attempting to elude a game warden, taking deer in closed season, and reckless endangerment.

Further investigation revealed that Mr. Bacon had already shot and reported a deer earlier in the season. The legal limit for deer during the November rifle season is one.

Bacon will be required to successfully complete Vermont Fish & Wildlife's "Remedial Outdoor Ethics Course" before his licenses can be reinstated.

Vermont wardens continue to 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 (www.vtfishandwildlife.com/laws_thief.cfm). Rewards are paid for information leading to an arrest.


Media Contact: Col. Jason Batchelder, Maj. Dennis Reinhardt, 802-828-1529