Overview of Operation Nightcat
This is Episode 1 of Operation Nightcat, a special three-part series from NHPR’s Document Team and the podcast Outside In (host Nate Hegyi). Reporter Nate Hegyi tells the story of how a routine wildlife enforcement check in central New Hampshire snowballed into one of the biggest poaching investigations in the state's history. What begins with a handful of deer crossing a road leads conservation officer Ron Arsenault to uncover a network of hunters allegedly using bait, night-vision rifles, mounted cameras, and cross-state schemes to kill protected species and document the kills.
Episode summary — what happens
- Ron Arsenault (New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officer) patrols the Lakes Region enforcing hunting and fishing laws.
- A local police chief reports deer near a property owned by hunter Tom Kelly. Ron investigates and finds an illegal bait site and a motion-sensor camera.
- With search warrants, officers seize Tom’s camera and phone. Forensic review of the phone reveals videos and messages showing night hunts, kills of protected species (bobcats), extensive use of bait, and a larger group sharing videos and bragging.
- Evidence suggests some kills were taken in New Hampshire at night (illegal) and then transported and tagged in other states to conceal their origin—potentially a Lacey Act violation (federal wildlife law against interstate trafficking/false labeling).
- Searches of other suspects’ properties (including a man named Randy Inman) turn up taxidermied bobcats, night-vision scoped rifles, and sniper-style set-ups. Investigators allege patterns of repeated illegal nighttime killing of foxes, coyotes, bobcats and disturbing evidence of cruelty (bad shots left animals to suffer while being filmed and joked about).
- The investigation grows into a multi-agency operation nicknamed “Operation Nightcat” (the name was coined by Ron’s wife).
Key people
- Ron Arsenault — Veteran conservation officer who uncovers the case; central investigator and narrator of fieldwork.
- Tom Kelly — Local hunter and social-media presence; evidence on his devices implicated him and others in illegal baiting, night hunting, and killing protected species.
- Randy Inman — Associated member of the group; alleged to have illegally killed dozens of animals.
- Nate Hegyi — Reporter and host from NHPR/Outside In who narrates the episode and reviews the case with Ron.
Legal and ethical issues highlighted
- Baiting: Leaving grain/hay to lure deer is illegal in New Hampshire during hunting season and a key initial violation.
- Night hunting: Hunting at night (often with night-vision equipment) is restricted/illegal in many cases for safety and fairness.
- Protected species: Bobcats in New Hampshire are protected; killing them can constitute criminal violations.
- Lacey Act concerns: Transporting illegally taken wildlife across state lines and tagging them as taken elsewhere can create federal charges under the Lacey Act.
- Ethical breaches: The group’s behavior—filming kills, celebrating cruelty, and poor shooting resulting in suffering—raises moral concerns beyond statutory violations.
- Compounding alarm: Several suspects were current or former corrections officers, which intensified concerns about abuse-of-authority and broader implications for public trust.
Evidence uncovered
- Motion-camera photos and SD card images tying animals to bait sites.
- Video footage from scope-mounted/night-vision cameras showing night kills, including bobcats and foxes.
- Phone data (1.6 TB) with photos, videos, text messages and group communications sharing kills and taunting language.
- Physical evidence from searches: taxidermied bobcats, specialized rifle setups, and a constructed “sniper nest” blind on a deck overlooking bait.
Notable quotes and moments
- Ron on his role: “Any game, any ball game, once you’re a cheater, you’re a cheater... we’re catching the cheaters.”
- Nate (on the case): “If you look at it all the way to the beginning… why did the deer cross the road? To kill a bobcat.”
- Ron’s reaction to cruelty/competitiveness: “It’s like they’re playing Grand Theft Auto behind their house, except with animals.”
Themes and takeaways
- Routine wildlife enforcement can expose complex, multi-jurisdictional crime.
- Modern tech (trail cameras, scope cams, phones, social media) creates both tools for poachers and digital trails for investigators.
- The line between illegal practices and ethical hunting (Fair Chase) is central—many hunters respect rules, but this case highlights deliberate subversion of laws and norms.
- The investigation raises questions about whether animal abuse correlates with other forms of violence or misconduct, especially when perpetrators are in positions of authority.
What to expect next / how the series continues
- Subsequent episodes will dive deeper into the full scope of the investigation, federal involvement, how the case unfolded against the suspects, and the legal and moral consequences.
- The series promises more detail on the investigative process, interviews, and the broader context of poaching and wildlife law enforcement.
Production credits & how to listen
- Produced by NHPR’s Document Team and Outside In. Reported and written by Nate Hegyi; produced/mixed by Jason Moon; edited by Taylor Quimby and Katie Culinary, with a team of contributors.
- To hear Episodes 2 and 3, subscribe to Operation Nightcat via your preferred podcast app.
Actions for listeners / resources
- Subscribe to the Operation Nightcat podcast to follow the unfolding investigation.
- For those concerned about wildlife crimes: report suspicious hunting/poaching activity to local Fish and Game agencies (NH Fish and Game in New Hampshire) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for interstate or federal issues.
- If interested in hunting ethics, look up “Fair Chase” principles and state-specific hunting regulations before hunting or sharing hunting content online.