Vermont Men Accused Of Poaching Deer; 78 Charges Filed: Officials

MONTPELIER, VT — Five Vermont men are accused of poaching multiple white-tailed deer here and in neighboring New Hampshire following a long-term investigation by the state Fish and Wildlife Department, according to a release from the agency.

According to officials, the men took 14 illegal deer in Windsor County during fall 2021. The men are also accused of taking multiple illegal deer in New Hampshire, authorities said.

"It will take 3 or 4 years for the deer population in Windsor County to recruit additional mature bucks and replace those that were illegally taken this fall," Mark Scott, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wildlife division director, said in a release. "Poaching at this scale is a blow both to the local deer herd and to Vermont’s culture of fair and equal access to public trust wildlife."

The following individuals are facing a total of 78 charges in Vermont court, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department.

• Zackery Baxter, 26, of Sharon
• Jeffrey Degrasse, 26, of Hartford
• Kobe Labonte, 22, of White River Junction
• Casey Thayer, 27, of Hartford
• Patrick Whitcomb, 24, of Hartford

At an April 26 court appearance, Baxter and Degrasse pleaded not guilty to all charges, officials said.

Casey pleaded guilty to taking deer in closed season, transportation of illegal deer and possession of illegal deer. He was ordered to pay a $1,821 fine plus $500 in restitution for the deer, and will also be required to forfeit his crossbow and complete up to 10 days of work crew service.

Labonte pleaded guilty to taking deer in closed season and will pay a fine of $607. Whitcomb also pleaded guilty to taking deer in closed season and possession of illegal deer. He was ordered to pay a $1,214 fine plus $500 in restitution for the deer, and will also be required to forfeit his crossbow.

Anyone with evidence of poaching in their communities can leave anonymous tips through Operation Game Thief.