VT Woman Picks Fight, Sprays Hunters With Bear Spray: Officials

GROTON, VT — A Vermont woman is facing numerous charges after state wildlife officials said she confronted a group of hunters before spraying them with bear spray.

Liza Nanni, 61, is accused of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and interfering with a hunter following the July 10 incident, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department officials said in a news release.

According to officials, the Vermont Warden Service responded to a call from Newbury resident Ellsworth Spear after Spear claimed that he, another adult hunter, and a minor were stopped by Nanni while driving on Red Brook Road in Groton. Spear and his companions had hunting dogs in their truck for Vermont’s bear hound training season, authorities said.

Spear claimed Nanni then blocked the road and "instigated an altercation" before using bear spray on him, authorities said. Spear and his companions left the scene and called Vermont State Police, according to authorities.

“Vermonters don’t always agree on wildlife management, especially when it comes to big game,” Col. Jason Batchelder, Vermont's chief game warden, said in a release. "Even so, I ask all Vermonters to respect one another’s constitutional right to hunt. Intentionally interfering with legal hunters in any fashion will result in court action."