As hunting seasons are ramping up in New York State several hunters have been charged with poaching – illegally killing wildlife. The poachers in Delaware, Suffolk, Washington and Franklin counties were all issued tickets by New York State Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs). Additionally, a man was charged for stealing a deer-stand.
Two Deer Illegally Poached in Delaware County
On September 30, ECOs Doig and Osborne responded to a complaint regarding the illegal harvest of a whitetail deer with a rifle during the previous evening in the Town of Masonville, Delaware County.
The Officers reported they responded to the location, followed evidence leading from the roadway to a posted property, and identified where the deer was standing when it was unlawfully shot and killed.
After collecting evidence at the scene and following up on leads, the ECOs responded to the residence of the alleged shooter and interviewed the subject who they say admitted to shooting a doe the previous evening with his rifle.
The Officers confiscated the deer as evidence and continued their investigation, which revealed the subject has a previous felony conviction and could not legally possess a firearm.
The individual was arrested and processed by New York State Trooper Wright for fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
While processing the arrest at the State Police barracks, ECOs received another complaint regarding a second deer being illegally harvested on the same evening (September 29) as the first and in the same area. ECOs again interviewed the subject who adamantly denied taking the second deer.
On October 1, ECO Osborne returned to both poached deer locations and utilized a metal detector in search of bullets.
The bullets collected from both locations, including one still lodged in the second deer left in the field and not recovered by the shooter, matched the same caliber and unique characteristics associated with the subject’s rifle, indicating both animals were taken by the same firearm and likely discharged by the same person.
ECO Osborne collected additional evidence from both locations, including tire tread and wheelbase measurements matching the subject’s vehicle. Footage from a security camera depicted a vehicle matching the make and model of the individual’s truck at the second crime scene.
Once presented with the mounting evidence gathered by the ECOs, they say the subject admitted to shooting the second deer.
ECO Osborne issued a total of 10 tickets for offenses, including taking two deer illegally, trespassing, hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, discharging a firearm from a public highway, use of spotlight, possessing an unsecure firearm, and killing two deer out of season, returnable to the Town of Masonville Court.
Illegal Deer Killing in Suffolk County
On October 7, ECOs DeRose and Hulsen responded to the East Islip Marina in Suffolk County for reports of an illegal deer harvest. The individual suspected of illegally taking the deer first claimed that he found the injured animal in the parking lot with an arrow next to it and decided to take it once it passed away, so it wouldn’t go to waste.
During a lengthy interview with the subject and an on-scene investigation, the ECOs uncovered a bow with an empty quiver in the individual’s vehicle, as well as arrows matching the one found next to the animal.
ECOS reported that the defendant finally admitted to shooting the deer from the roadway and the ECOs confiscated his bow, arrows, and the buck as evidence before charging the subject with the illegal take of deer, trespassing in a restricted area, take of a deer from a public roadway, and failure to immediately tag deer. All tickets are returnable to Suffolk First District Court.
Poaching Pheasants in Washington County
On October 15, while conducting pheasant hunting compliance checks at Eldridge Swamp State Forest and Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Washington County, ECO Thibodeau received a report from a group of hunters about two individuals “doing a lot of shooting and running their three dogs everywhere” earlier that day.
The hunters provided a vehicle description, and Officer Thibodeau later found the vehicle in a parking area at Carters Pond WMA. ECO Thibodeau checked both hunters when they returned to the vehicle, and the subjects presented two birds each that they successfully harvested.
However, a thorough inspection revealed the hunters were concealing additional birds on their person and in their vehicle. The officer reported that the experienced hunters admitted that they knew the limit was two pheasants per person but claimed they “just got carried away.”
ECO Thibodeau ticketed both hunters for taking over their limit of pheasants and confiscated four additional birds as evidence. The tickets are returnable to the Town of Greenwich Court.
Illegal Deer Take in Franklin County
On the October 24 opening day of the Northern Zone Firearms Season, ECO Okonuk heard rifle shots near the Village of Malone, in Franklin County, investigated, and found two untagged antlerless deer hanging in a garage. The deer did not belong to any residents in the vicinity, but Officer Okonuk said they were able to identify a person of interest through the investigation.
The following day, ECOs Garrand and Okonuk responded to a camp and interviewed the hunter suspected of taking the antlerless deer. During the interview, the Officers reported that they learned that the subject had illegally harvested the deer on October 21 and 23 over pre-established bait, consisting of apples, corn, and salt.
In addition, the hunter purchased a resident license but is a non-resident hunter. ECOs determined the subject violated 10 provisions of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law, including hunting over pre-established bait.
The individual was arraigned in the Town of Belmont Court and agreed to a compromise of civil penalties totaling $1,405. The venison was donated. It is illegal in New York State to hunt deer over bait, feed deer, or place salt near an area inhabited by deer.
Stolen Tree Stand in Washington County
On October 23, ECO Krug received a complaint from a resident in the Town of Easton, Washington County, who reported having a photograph of an individual carrying a crossbow trespassing on their property.
A few days later, the trespasser contacted the property owner and ECOs, learned there was a signed complaint and pending charges against him, and arranged to meet with ECO Krug to receive a ticket. However, the subject did not follow through with the meeting and did not return phone calls from the Officer.
On October 28, the property owner contacted ECO Krug reporting that they were hunting and heard what appeared to be their tree stand being dragged through the woods. The officer reported that the trespasser had apparently returned to the property and removed the property owner’s tree stand.
ECO Krug and New York State Trooper McKeighan responded to the location and observed the subject across the street.
The individual was arrested and charged with petit larceny, trespass, and hunter harassment and released on appearance tickets to Easton Town Court. The tree stand was returned to the property owner.
Read More About Poaching In New York
Photo of illegal bait pile discovered by ECOs in Franklin County provided by DEC.
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