On Thursday, April 30, 2020, the Massachusetts Environmental Police was notified of an illegal turkey hunting activity in Westminster. The homeowner provided MEP with the hunter's license plate to his vehicle and advised that a bird had been shot with a crossbow and was still alive.
MEP Officers, along with Westminster Police Department, arrived and interviewed the homeowner. During the interview, it was determined that the suspect had previously been asked to leave the homeowners property. A check of the area found the shooter's hunting blind was within 120-feet of the home and 160-feet of the roadway, and located on posted property. Multiple bird feeders were found within 50-feet of the blind with the ground covered with bird seed creating a baited area that was being hunted. A check of the suspect's Hunting License showed he did not purchase a Turkey Permit until 10:39 AM, over three hours after he had shot the bird. Officers were able to locate the bird.
The suspect was interviewed a short time later, eventually admitting to hunting the area in question. The suspect was charged with the following:
1.) Hunting w/in 500' of a Dwelling in Use
2.) Hunting Turkey w/out a Turkey Permit
3.) Hunting Posted Property
4.) Hunting a Turkey over a Baited Area
5.) Unlawful Take of Turkey
The suspect’s crossbow and Turkey Tag were seized and the turkey was donated.
The Massachusetts Environmental Police would like to extend thanks to Westminster Police Department for their assistance and to the reporting party. The detail of activities witnessed led to the rapid determination of violator and subsequent charges being issued.
If violations are witnessed please contact MEP's 24 hour Dispatch at 1-800-632-8075 or report a violation online at Report a Violation Online Form.
MEP Officers, along with Westminster Police Department, arrived and interviewed the homeowner. During the interview, it was determined that the suspect had previously been asked to leave the homeowners property. A check of the area found the shooter's hunting blind was within 120-feet of the home and 160-feet of the roadway, and located on posted property. Multiple bird feeders were found within 50-feet of the blind with the ground covered with bird seed creating a baited area that was being hunted. A check of the suspect's Hunting License showed he did not purchase a Turkey Permit until 10:39 AM, over three hours after he had shot the bird. Officers were able to locate the bird.
The suspect was interviewed a short time later, eventually admitting to hunting the area in question. The suspect was charged with the following:
1.) Hunting w/in 500' of a Dwelling in Use
2.) Hunting Turkey w/out a Turkey Permit
3.) Hunting Posted Property
4.) Hunting a Turkey over a Baited Area
5.) Unlawful Take of Turkey
The suspect’s crossbow and Turkey Tag were seized and the turkey was donated.
The Massachusetts Environmental Police would like to extend thanks to Westminster Police Department for their assistance and to the reporting party. The detail of activities witnessed led to the rapid determination of violator and subsequent charges being issued.
If violations are witnessed please contact MEP's 24 hour Dispatch at 1-800-632-8075 or report a violation online at Report a Violation Online Form.
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