WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Game Wardens Make Large Bait Bust

Game Wardens Make Large Bait Bust

Waterbury, Vermont - October 6, 2009

Vermont game wardens are calling it one of the largest cases of its kind. They raided a camp in Moretown and charged 8 men and one juvenile with a host of hunting violations. Wildlife officials are worried about more than unsportsmanlike behavior.

The hunting bows in the back of game warden Jason Batchelder's truck will not be used again this season. They're evidence in a deer baiting case.

"It's very discouraging," said Warden Jason Batchelder. 

Wardens raided 11 deer stands in Moretown Sunday and charged eight men and one underage hunter with putting out food and salt. Baiting deer has been illegal in Vermont for four years. Officials say private landowners still do it, though, because many grew up baiting.

"I don't have anything statistically, but it seems this year the baiting is rampant. I don't understand why: if it's the economy, the lower number of game wardens, but the baiting is up five-fold over last year," said Batchelder

The Fish & Wildlife Department says feeding deer non-native foods could introduce diseases that could harm the health of the herd. Also, baiting encourages the animals to huddle together more closely than they normally would, and that risks spreading sickness.

"Movement of any infectious agent from animal to animal is made easier," said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRoche. 

He's most worried about chronic wasting disease, a condition that destroys an animal's central nervous system. It has not been found in Vermont, and steps like preventing baiting could help keep CWD out.

"It's a major problem and could have a devastating impact on deer hunting in the state of Vermont and the economy," said LaRoche.

Game wardens like Jason Batchelder will be on patrol over the next several weeks looking for people baiting deer or committing other hunting violations, because fall is prime time in Vermont for hunting.

Using bait could bring a $500 fine, 60 days in jail, and a loss of hunting license. The hunters in the Moretown case will be in court in December. Officials say their baiting did not get them any deer.

Those cited:

Steven Demingware, 51 of Montpelier, Aaron Demingware, 32 of Milton, Daniel Demingware, 50 of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and David Rice, 45 of Fairfax were all charged with baiting deer with apples. Vern Poland Sr., 43 of Montpelier, and David Demingware, 49 of Waterbury Center were charged with attempting to take deer by using salt. Two other men also face charges in the case. The underage hunter was ticketed for using an illegal tree stand and for hunting over salt and bait.

 Jack Thurston - WCAX-TV