November 30, 3011
By Brian Nearing, TimesUnion.com
More than 70 people are charged with various hunting law violations
ALBANY _ More than 70 people have been charged with violating hunting
laws this deer season, from using bright lights to "jack" deer at night
to shooting near homes and across roads, according to the state
Department of Environmental Conservation.
The crackdown is part of coordinated efforts to stem illegal poaching
in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, DEC spokesman Rick
Georgeson said on Tuesday. "We have been working with other states for
the last couple of years because some hunters go into more than one
state."
Arrests in October and November were spread across 13 counties in the
Capital Region, Adirondacks, Champlain Valley and Mohawk Valley,
according to DEC. There were 13 arrests in Albany County, 11 arrests in
Rensselaer County, five arrests in Saratoga County and one in
Schenectady County.
Charges included using lights to illegally "jack" deer, shooting from
a vehicle, shooting across a road, hunting near a residence,
trespassing, using bait or salt licks to illegally draw deer or bear,
hunting without a license, hunting with firearms during bow season, and
having loaded weapons inside a vehicle.
In one instance, a 28-year-old man was charged with shooting from the
road in Oppenheim, Fulton County, after he fired at a deer decoy set up
near the road by DEC officers. James J. George was charged with firing a
weapon across a road and having a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
"The vast majority of hunters pursue and take game legally," said DEC
Law Enforcement Major Tim Duffy. "We work closely with the sporting
community to stop individuals from illegally taking game to the
detriment of wildlife populations and the legal efforts of honest
hunters."
Anyone with information about game poaching can call the DEC tip line
at 1-800-847-TIPP (7332).
A complete list of those arrested for hunting violations can be found
online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/78740.html
