Mass. man among five found guilty on poaching charges in large N.H. illegal hunting case

A Massachusetts man was among five men found guilty of poaching charges as part of one of New Hampshire’s largest illegal hunting cases in recent years, according to the state Fish and Game Department.

Conservation officers were first notified of illegal hunting activity in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, in December 2022, the department said in a press release Friday. Based on evidence found during the initial investigation, they then executed a search warrant on a cell camera and cell phone belonging to 33-year-old Gilmanton resident Thomas Kelley with the help of Gilmanton police. The search turned up evidence of poaching that implied Kelley and several others.

On Jan. 12, 2023, conservation officers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service agents and Gilmanton and Webster police officers executed search warrants targeting Kelly, 46-year-old Louden, New Hampshire, resident Sherwood Dubrey and 47-year-old Webster resident Randy Inman, the department said. During the searches, they seized archery equipment, electronic devices, wildlife pelts, mounts and firearms with video recording scopes and infrared lights attached.