New York’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers have been busy — cracking down on deer poachers, rescuing wildlife, and even turning field investigations into teachable moments.
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a wide-ranging report Monday detailing recent enforcement and outreach efforts from Suffolk County to the Bronx and beyond.
Poachers caught in the act
In Delaware County, a man was ticketed after allegedly shooting a buck with a rifle during archery season. ECO Doig confiscated the deer and sent it for a necropsy, which confirmed it was killed with a bullet. The man now faces several charges, including hunting over bait and taking a deer illegally.
Just two days later, police in Erie County busted three men in Tonawanda after spotting two fresh deer in their pickup. DEC officers say the deer were shot with a .22-caliber rifle — from the road and from inside the truck — all illegal under state law. The suspects received 24 tickets combined. One was also arrested for driving while intoxicated.
In the Bronx, ECOs held a checkpoint on the Throgs Neck Bridge to inspect vehicles for illegally taken deer. Most hunters followed the rules, but officers issued tickets for tagging and reporting violations.
From outreach to rescues
In Suffolk County, DEC officers kept busy with community events and quick-thinking rescues. ECO Anderson freed a trapped deer from a metal fence in Oakdale, watching it swim away unharmed. He also taught a waterfowl hunting class in Middle Island, emphasizing ethical hunting practices.
Meanwhile, ECO DeRose responded to reports of deer poaching in a restricted park. After finding no criminal activity, he ended up educating a group of curious teens about conservation laws and ethical hunting.
Later that week, ECO Francis rescued an injured juvenile Cooper’s hawk from a backyard in North Babylon. The bird was taken to a local rehab center, where it’s recovering from a fractured wing.
Fish violations in Queens
In two separate cases, officers busted seafood operations in Queens for violating fish tagging rules.
At a seafood wholesaler, ECOs found 115 blackfish — many tagged incorrectly, and a dozen with no tags at all. Days later, vessel patrols in Jamaica Bay turned up 33 undersized blackfish hidden under a bridge. Officers ticketed the anglers and released the fish back into the water.
Big game checkpoints and statewide efforts
DEC officers also conducted big game hunting checkpoints in Allegany and Wyoming counties. Most hunters complied, but a few were ticketed for tagging issues and traffic violations.
Across the state, ECOs participated in “No Shave November,” raising over $4,000 for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. Some even added nail polish to show support.
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