Onset Man Arrested for Hunting without Gun License

WAREHAM — An Onset man faces charges after he was found in illegal possession of a firearm while hunting.

Officers with the Wareham Department of Natural Resources were conducting fish and wildlife safety inspections near the Maple Spring Wildlife Management Area at around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday when they observed an individual with an illuminated red lens flashlight walking at a distance through posted private property.

Officers were not able to immediately locate the man due to low visibility, but located an older model black Jeep Cherokee parked at the Maple Springs Wildlife Management Area.

Officers waited by the vehicle until a man with an illuminated red lens flashlight exited the woods near the parking area. The man was dressed in blaze orange and was carrying a tree stand, a camouflage backpack, and a firearm, according to DNR officers.

During questioning of the man, it was discovered that the shotgun he was carrying was loaded. Officers asked the man to safely unload the firearm, which was cleared of a single round 20 gauge slug.

Officers determined that the man did not possess a firearms identification card or a license to carry.

The firearm was secured by officers, who arrested the man, Christian Koller of Onset.

Koller is charged with possession of a firearm without a license/loaded firearm, hunting/fishing-closed season, and trespass with firearm.

Koller is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Wareham District Court.