[Maine Warden Service: November 18, 2015] Maine game wardens believe they have identified those responsible for the illegal killing of at least four deer back in April of this year. All four deer found were does, were believed to have been killed at night in open fields, and were left to waste in the towns of Chesterville, Livermore Falls (East Livermore), Livermore, and Leeds.
This past week, Maine game wardens issued summonses to four males, two of which were juveniles. Zachary Black, age 19, from Jay and Kyle Elliott, age 19, from Fayette were both charged with night hunting. Two juveniles from Livermore were also charged with night hunting. Additional charges are likely in this case. Black, Elliott, and the two juveniles are scheduled to appear in Androscoggin and Franklin County District Courts in February.
This was an extensive six-month investigation. Numerous night surveillance details were performed in the area by game wardens to help apprehend those responsible. The case’s primary investigator, Game Warden Dave Chabot, stated today that “this case proved very detrimental to Maine’s deer heard in that area. The public once again worked with us and provided very helpful information; we appreciate their help very much.”
The Maine Warden Service wishes to thank the Maine State Police for their assistance, the countless members of the public who provided information, and Maine Operation Game Thief (OGT) for their participation in helping bring awareness to this case.
Operation Game Thief (OGT) has offered a reward of up to $3,500 for anyone who could provide information that leads to a conviction for those responsible in this case. Game wardens are currently working with OGT to determine reward eligibility.
Case summary: At approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, Maine game wardens responded to a complaint of an injured deer near the intersection of Bragdon Road (a.k.a. French Road) and East Road in Chesterville. Upon arrival, a deer was located in a field posted “No Trespassing” with a fatal gunshot wound to the spine. The doe deer was pregnant with twin fawns. Three additional doe deer have were subsequently located and also left to waste. A doe deer was shot on Route 106 in Leeds, another was shot on Route 133 near Dodge Road in Livermore Falls (East Livermore) and a third doe was shot on River Road in Livermore. The four doe deer all appear to have been killed under similar circumstances and left to waste. It is suspected that other deer may have been killed but were not located.