The superintendent of the Merrimack County Department of Corrections is facing criminal charges related to illegal baiting and night hunting, the result of an eight-month investigation by New Hampshire Fish and Game.<\/p>\n
Travis Cushman, of Gilmanton, was arrested on March 25 and has since been placed on leave running the jail, which is located in Boscawen.<\/p>\n
According to court paperwork, authorities say he illegally hunted deer outside of approved hours during a string of evenings in November 2023.<\/p>\n
Cushman\u2019s arrest is not related to another high-profile poaching investigation centered in Gilmanton, Operation Night Cat. That months-long investigation carried out by Fish and Game conservation officials resulted in the break up of what investigators called one of the largest poaching operations in state history.<\/p>\n
According to court paperwork, Cushman is facing seven misdemeanor charges and 10 violation-level offenses. One count alleges he registered a whitetail deer on the morning of Nov. 15, while an image of the animal was timestamped the evening before.<\/p>\n
Mounted bucks, a firearm and archery equipment were seized from Cushman\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Cushman didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment. He\u2019s scheduled to appear in Laconia District Court on May 15. He\u2019s facing fines and the suspension of his hunting license, but the charges don\u2019t carry any potential jail time.<\/p>\n
Cushman is listed on legal filings as the vice president of Friends of Merrimack County K9s, a registered nonprofit organization that provides \u201csupport for correctional and law enforcement working animals.\u201d The group is headquartered out of his home, according to registration paperwork, and lists Erica Cushman as its president.<\/p>\n
The New Hampshire Antler and Skull Trophy Club, which maintains records for trophy animals harvested in the state, announced in a Facebook post Sunday that it was removing two entries submitted by Cushman.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you enter a buck into NHASTC you sign that the animal was taken legally and ethically,\u201d the group said on Facebook. \u201cWe find these actions disturbing and will not tolerate them.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article<\/a> by Todd Bookman was first published by New Hampshire Public Radio on 1 April 2025. Lead Image: Courtesy of NH Fish and Game – Mounts confiscacted from the home of Travis Cushman, who is accused of poaching activities.<\/i><\/p>\n Wildlife continues to face threats, which include hunting, poaching, illegal trade in animal products, habitat loss as well as a rapidly changing climate.<\/p>\n Become a Wildlife Champion today by supporting our conservation partners<\/a> with a monthly donation as little as $1.<\/p>\nWhat you can do<\/h2>\n