CLEARFIELD TWP — A deer-hunting trip last month backfired on a Venango County man.

A felon, Michael L. Maycock, 29, of Kennerdell, is prohibited under state law from possessing a firearm.

But while on patrol during gun deer season Dec. 4, state game commission officers spotted Maycock coming out of woods along Fenelton Road in Clearfield Township armed with a .30-06-caliber rifle, according to court documents.

Two wildlife conservation officers, while conducting a routine field check with Maycock and his hunting buddy, learned that he did not have a valid hunting license.

The finding led to a criminal history check, which turned up his felony conviction, documents said.

Court records showed he was convicted of felony trespass in 2005 in Armstrong County.

The game commission officers also discovered that he was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation.

While the officers were both momentarily in their agency vehicle, investigators said, Maycock got into his car and drove away.

Four days later, however, he landed in the Armstrong County Jail after being picked up by state police on his suspected probation violation.

The game commission Tuesday filed their case against Maycock.

By video Thursday, District Judge Lewis Stoughton arraigned him on felony charges of illegal possession of a firearm and flight to avoid apprehension and a misdemeanor charge of escape.

Additionally, he faces several game law violations.

A preliminary hearing is set for 2:45 p.m. Thursday at Stoughton’s office in Chicora

Maycock remains in the Armstrong County Jail for the probation violation and $10,000 bail for the Butler County charges.