Forest Rangers and deputies from the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office broke up a large underage drinking party in the Coon Hollow State Forest late Friday night, issuing nearly 20 tickets and sending multiple attendees home with rides.
The enforcement action happened on November 22. At 10 p.m., four DEC Forest Rangers met with deputies to plan a detail targeting the suspected party. By 11:30 p.m., they had blocked off Chambers Road and discovered a bonfire gathering of about 50 people in the forest.
Officials issued 19 tickets and worked to identify which individuals were sober enough to drive. Those who weren’t were required to call for rides. The scene was cleared by 2:30 a.m.
Coon Hollow State Forest, located in the Town of Orange, is part of the public lands managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. It’s illegal to host or attend unauthorized events on state forest land, especially those involving underage drinking.
The DEC says Forest Rangers remain focused on keeping both visitors and public lands safe. Anyone needing to report illegal activity on state land is encouraged to call 833-NYS-RANGERS or 911 in an emergency.
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