in the news

fogducker · Post by **fogducker** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:21 pm

By Joel Banner Baird • Free Press Staff Writer • March 14, 2009
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/arti ... /903140310

A 10-point antler rack, bolted and glued to the head of a slain doe last fall, raised the blaze-orange flag of state game wardens.

But ultimately it was poor sportsmanship -- not his skill with hand tools -- that nailed Marcel Fournier, 19, of Concord in the prosecution's case.The Vermont State's Attorney Office released documents Thursday that show that, over the course of several months, Fournier illegally hunted does and at least one immature buck, using his Jeep's headlights to spot (or "jack") his quarry.
Fournier's amateur taxidermy, documented in a trophy Polaroid photograph and in Vermont District Court records, put authorities on the trail. His game violations cost Fournier $400 in fines and a 10-day jail term, levied Feb. 18.
According to court records, Fournier shot the doe on the evening of Nov. 22. Later that night, he checked in the deer -- with antlers -- as lawful game at Barnie's Market in Concord, where he posed for the photograph.
Assembling the hybrid deer for display apparently frustrated Fournier: when confronted a week later, he told state Department Fish and Wildlife Warden J. Trevor Szymanowski that he had "quite a time" drilling and fastening the antlers.
In a written statement, Fournier recorded a short-lived pride in his handiwork.

"Two days later I got a bad feeling and ditched it in Lyndonville," he wrote.
About a week later, the report continues, an anonymous caller alerted the authorities.

When confronted, Fournier admitted to the deed and showed the remains to Warden David Gregory.
"He used epoxy and lag bolts recessed into the rack -- but they weren't very firm," Gregory said. "When you grabbed them, you'd feel movement."

Gregory said Fournier's effort fooled a few people initially, "but it didn't look that good.
"There were enough people with experience around here who could see that," he continued. "Then the phone calls started coming in."

Anecdotes about add-on antlers have circulated among wildlife professionals for generations, said Col. David LeCours, chief warden of the Fish and Wildlife Department. To LeCours' knowledge, this is the first documented case in Vermont. His colleagues were not impressed by the craftsmanship of the state's first confirmed phony.
"The people who have examined this thing say Fournier took some time on the job, with epoxy and lag screws and so on, but it didn't hold that well, which was his undoing," he said.
"People who had a good look at those antlers quickly noticed something about their angle and their placement and the size relative to the size of the animal," LeCours continued. "Something wasn't natural about them, in addition to the fact that they weren't natural."
LeCours said Fournier will lose the privilege of obtaining a Vermont hunting, fishing or trapping license for at least three years -- and only after he passes a remedial hunter safety course.
There's a good chance Fournier will not follow that trail alone: Northeast District wardens cited 40 hunters with violations relating to out-of-season shooting, baiting animals or otherwise illegally shooting deer.
Contact Joel Banner Baird at 660-1843 or [email protected]
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Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:49 pm

Good for the wardens!

We sportsmen hear so much complaint about the enforcement of wildlife laws, but I'm on their side. I hope they catch and bust every crook out there stealing game from law-abiding hunters.

SPITFIRE · Post by **SPITFIRE** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:00 pm

It,s not just stealing game, Its a slap in the face for all hunters. They shouldn't be called hunters, they should be called POACHERS as that is what they are.

fogducker · Post by **fogducker** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:03 pm

right on spitfire..
cheers

mikej · Post by **mikej** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:21 pm

what was he thinking

N8tr Boy · Post by **N8tr Boy** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:42 pm

$400 what a joke. It should be higher and no licence ever.

He did that much damage ,he didn't care what he was doing.

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:46 pm

N8tr Boy wrote:$400 what a joke. It should be higher and no licence ever. He did that much damage ,he didn't care what he was doing.

I was thinking the same thing, $400 just doesn't seem right.

ecoaster · Post by **ecoaster** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:05 pm

Why even try to check in the deer

.

HW · Post by HW » Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:14 pm

what was he thinking

Absolutely nothing!!!!

one shot scott · Post by **one shot scott** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:16 pm

ecoaster wrote:Why even try to check in the deer .

Thats what i was thought too.

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:13 am

Some folks just can't resist bragging about themselves.