Closed-season deer killing leads to charges in Gorham, Maine

November 18, 2025 — by Scanner Alerts Media

GORHAM, Maine — The Maine Warden Service has charged an individual after an investigation into a deer killed during closed season in Gorham.

According to wardens, on September 18, 2025, Game Warden Emerson Duplissie-Cyr received information that an individual was sitting in a field with a scoped rifle and had taken selfie videos showing a dead buck and the rifle. There was no open firearms season on deer at that time, and video evidence indicated the deer had been shot with a firearm.

Wardens Duplissie-Cyr and Herring, along with Warden Sawyer and K9 Rain, searched the area, identified a suspected shooting location, and developed an understanding of the sequence of events. The next day, wardens interviewed the suspected poacher. He initially denied a deer had been killed and claimed he had been turkey hunting with his son. When confronted with evidence, he said he shot at a turkey with a .300 Winchester Magnum rifle—an unlawful method/caliber for turkey—and claimed he missed the turkey but incidentally killed the deer.

The individual told wardens a friend advised him to report the incident, but he chose not to. He brought wardens back to the scene and explained what occurred. Based on the scene, video, and statements, wardens determined the buck was shot at approximately 200 yards and that the high brush would have made it nearly impossible to see a turkey.

Wardens located the deer in nearby woods; only the front shoulders had been removed, and the remainder was left to waste. By law, hunters must recover all edible meat. Investigators determined the incident occurred on September 15, 2025, and that no meat was salvageable by the time it was found. The .300 Winchester Magnum rifle was seized. Wardens said a small amount of meat that had been taken had already been consumed.

Charges include Hunt or Possess a Deer During Closed Season and Hunting Turkey in Violation of Rule. The case is ongoing. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Authorities thanked the member of the public who reported the activity and encouraged continued reporting of suspected poaching:

• Augusta: 1-800-452-4664

• Bangor: 1-800-432-7381

• Houlton: 1-800-924-2261

• Operation Game Thief (anonymous): 1-800-ALERT-US or maineogt.org

Credit: Maine Warden Service / Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.