After a night investigation and years-long court process a Vermont poacher was mandated this week to forfeit his vehicle and weapon in addition to prior fines and loss of hunting privileges, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Shane Phillips, 43, of Johnson, was initially cited for “deer jacking”—illegally shooting a deer at night. The citation followed an after-dark field operation by game wardens in October 2020 at multiple locations in the town of Johnson. Read more