The Peru Gazette

Loaded-Rifle Riding is a Recipe for Disaster — Franklin and Clinton Counties

On Dec. 8, ECO Kevin Riggs received a complaint that non-resident Vermont hunters were hunting deer over bait in the town of Constable. ECO Riggs located a hunter in a tree stand over several piles of corn. The subject was interviewed and was not carrying his license or tags. The ECO and the subject then went to the hunter’s camper nearby, and while ECO Riggs was reviewing the hunter’s license, another hunter returned to the camper on an ATV carrying a muzzleloader. Upon inspection of the firearm, it was determined to still be loaded. Three charges were written to the Town of Constable Court for hunting deer over bait, failure to carry license and tags while hunting, and possession of a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle.

Also on Dec. 8 in Clinton County, ECO Spencer Noyes was patrolling Rock Road in Altona when he noticed two pickup trucks parked on the side of the road with their tailgates down and ATV ramps set up. At dusk, ECO Noyes saw an ATV coming down the road and noticed the rider had a muzzleloader in the front gun rack. When asked if the gun was unloaded, the rider stated “Um, kinda, maybe?” The gun was loaded. About five minutes later, Noyes saw another ATV coming at him, this time with two riders both holding muzzleloaders across their laps. When asked if the weapons were unloaded, one of the riders said, “They can be, if you want them to be right now.” Both of these firearms were found to be loaded, as well. All three of the riders were issued tickets for possessing a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle. The tickets are returnable to Town of Altona Court in January.