Two Men Arrested in Brunswick After Nighttime Deer Hunt

Brunswick police arrested two 36 year old men on the morning of December 9 after a traffic stop on Pleasant Hill Road uncovered evidence of night hunting. Officers found a loaded crossbow on the front seat and two dead deer in the rear hatch of the vehicle. The only person in the vehicle at the time, Lee Holbrook of Durham, was taken into custody and charged with night hunting, unlawful discharge of archery equipment, hunting without a license, illegal possession of wild animals, having a loaded crossbow inside a motor vehicle, unlawful use of artificial lights and operating after suspension.

Investigators soon identified a second suspect through fresh footprints in the snow leading away from the scene. Officers located Robert Little of Lewiston on Pleasant Street and summoned him for night hunting and unlawful discharge of archery equipment. Little was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on February 3. Holbrook remains held at the Cumberland County Jail on a probation hold.

The case underscores several local concerns, including public safety risks associated with transported loaded weapons in vehicles and the enforcement challenges of nocturnal poaching. Night hunting is expressly restricted because it can endanger motorists and other hunters and hamper fair wildlife management. The combination of traffic infractions and the discovery of the animals and weapon during a routine stop illustrates how standard patrol activity can intersect with wildlife crime enforcement.

Sagadahoc County residents may also note the practical outcome for the illegal harvest. The two deer were turned over to the Maine Warden Service to be distributed to local food pantries, ensuring the animals benefited the community rather than going to waste. The incident may prompt renewed attention to compliance with hunting licensing and weapon transport rules, and it highlights the role of local law enforcement and wardens in both public safety and resource stewardship.

Court proceedings and any additional filings will clarify potential penalties and the status of the probation hold. For now the arrests serve as a reminder of the legal and safety responsibilities that accompany hunting activity in the region.