The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2023, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 101,500 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,932 complaints and working on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

“Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators serving in DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding poachers and polluters accountable,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, State, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws and promote the safe and responsible enjoyment of the outdoors.”

Hunter Harassment – Southampton Township

On Oct. 8, ECO McGhee received a call reporting hunter harassment in East Quogue. ECOs McGhee and Vandenbos arrived at the location and spoke to the hunter who advised that an irate man yelled at him to get out of the woods, claiming the hunter was trespassing. The hunter recorded the altercation with his cell phone, which showed the man yelling, slapping the hunter’s hand away, and taking the hunter’s compound bow and throwing it against a tree and on the roadway. The hunter, who received full permission from the property owner to enter and hunt the land, remained calm throughout the entire incident. Officers McGhee and Vandenbos investigated, identified the offender, and charged him with criminal mischief (E felony), petit larceny (A misdemeanor), harassment (penal law), and hunter harassment (Environmental Conservation Law), all returnable to Southampton Town Court.

Illegal Bear Take – Orange County

On Oct. 26, ECOs in Orange County responded to a property in the town of Wallkill for reports of individuals hunting over a corn pile and feeders. Officers previously canvased the property after observing a large, elevated hunting blind from the road. During the initial investigation, ECOs observed multiple cameras, barrel feeders, small bucket feeders, stands, and blinds on the property. Most notably, the elevated hunting blind was placed in the middle of a food plot and Officers discovered a rotting bear carcass about 50 yards away from it. On the evening of Oct. 26, ECOs interviewed a subject hunting in the area and questioned the individual about the items found during their previous investigation. The subject made a full confession, admitting to shooting the bear on Sept. 7, over the same corn pile he was hunting over that evening. Officers charged the hunter with hunting deer and bear over bait, as well as the illegal killing of a bear with the use of bait.

Illegally taken bear carcass discovered in Orange County (photo attached)

2024 South Shore Waterfowlers Association Duck Boat Show

On Oct. 26, ECOs Brussel and Dickson attended the South Shore Waterfowlers Association (SSWA) Duck Boat Show at Cedar Beach Marina in Babylon. At the event, attendees had the opportunity to browse the different duck boat setups on display by several vendors. The ECOs interacted with attendees and answered questions about hunting and fishing regulations on Long Island.

ECOs Brussel and Dickson attend SSWA Duck Boat Show in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Poachers First Sit – Suffolk County

On Oct. 30, while on patrol in the hamlet of Mattituck, ECO Zullo investigated areas known for baited tree stands. The Officer observed a freshly placed pile of corn and apples with two trail cameras facing the baited area, before seeing a bowhunter in a ladder tree stand that overlooked the baited area. Officer Zullo investigated and discovered the hunter recently placed the bait as it was his first sit of the season. ECO Zullo seized the bow, arrows, trail cameras, and a bait sample as evidence, and issued two tickets to the hunter for hunting deer over a pre-established bait pile and intentionally feeding deer. Both tickets are returnable to Southold Town Justice Court.

Baited area with corn and apples discovered in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Evidence seized during illegal hunting investigation in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Raptor Day – Suffolk County

On Nov. 2, ECO Dickson conducted outreach at the Vanderbilt Museum’s Raptor Day hosted by the Bald Eagles of Centerport group. Hundreds of attendees walked the grounds of the 1910 estate, “The Eagles Nest,” which overlooks Northport Harbor and the Long Island Sound. Live falcon flying demonstrations and education programs hosted by wildlife rehabilitators and other organizations were among the events at the show. ECO Dickson spoke to the public about his career as an Environmental Conservation Police Officer and the role ECOs play in protecting New York’s natural resources, including raptors.

ECO Dickson attends “Raptor Day” at the Vanderbilt Museum in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Illegal Rabbit Hunting – Suffolk County

On Nov. 10, ECO DeVito received a call from the Riverhead Police Department reporting an individual hunting with a shotgun at Wildwood State Park. Officer DeVito arrived and observed the subject walking afield with the firearm and dressed in blaze orange. The Officer conducted a hunting compliance check and discovered the hunter in possession of two cottontail rabbits harvested on the property. The ECO informed the hunter that Wildwood State Park is an archery-only hunting area and that taking small game there with a shotgun is prohibited. The Officer then called New York State Parks Police who responded and issued a ticket to the hunter. ECO DeVito also issued a ticket for unpermitted hunting in the State Park and seized the illegally taken rabbits. All tickets are returnable to Riverhead Town Justice Court.

Illegally taken rabbits discovered at Wildwood State Park in Suffolk County (photo attached)

All Tangled Up – Rensselaer County

On Nov. 10, ECO Rutherford received a call from a homeowner in the town of East Greenbush reporting a buck had become tangled in their volleyball net, dragged it a short distance into nearby woods, and became further entwined on downed trees. Officer Rutherford responded to the location, recognized the animal was badly tangled, and called ECO Bush for assistance. Officer Bush held the deer down while ECO Rutherford cut the net and freed the animal. The deer ran off into the woods without incident. VIDEO of the Officers working to free the tangled deer can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ihwVtjd1iV8

ECO Fishing Compliance Checks – Suffolk County

Several cases of hide and seek dominate this week’s ECO fishing compliance checks on Long Island.

• On Oct. 25, ECO Dickson responded to complaints of anglers taking an undersized black fish and hiding it in their truck at Robert Moses State Park in Suffolk County. Officer Dickson arrived at the location and interviewed the two anglers who denied catching anything that day, even opening the truck’s tailgate to prove it. The vehicle owner then opened the doors of the truck and ECO Dickson observed a black plastic bag sticking out from under the seat. Inside the bag, the Officer found an undersized black fish. The ECO ticketed the angler and then explained the rules and regulations regarding fishing for black fish. All tickets are returnable to Suffolk First District Court.
  

• On Oct. 30, ECO Dickson conducted fishing compliance checks at Robert Moses State Park in Suffolk County and observed an angler hiding undersized black fish in rocks and a fabric belt on his waist instead of safely returning the fish to the water. Officer Dickson ticketed the angler and explained the rules and regulation regarding fishing for blackfish. All tickets are returnable to Suffolk First District Court.
  

• On Nov. 3, ECO Anderson received a complaint about a group fishing near the Robert Moses pitch and putt course catching short bass, placing it in a plastic bag, and then putting it into the trunk of their van. Officer Anderson contacted ECO Dickson, who was closer to the location, and the ECO responded. Once at the location, Officer Dickson approached the group at the van and asked to see their catch. The group opened the trunk and showed the Officer an empty cooler, but ECO Dickson quickly noticed a black plastic bag with a clear outline of a fish inside. Eventually, one of the anglers admitted to catching the undersized striped bass. Officer Dickson ticketed the angler and then explained the rules and regulations for fishing in this region.
  

• On Nov. 11, ECO Dickson observed two anglers near the rocky shore of the Robert Moses causeway stop fishing once they noticed his police vehicle patrolling. As the individuals packed up their belongings and walked up the beach wrapping something in a plastic bag, Officer Dickson pushed quickly through the brush to reach the anglers. The ECO interviewed the pair and observed a plastic bag with four undersized fish inside--three black sea bass and a black fish. The Officer ticketed the angler who admitted to catching the small fish and explained the legal size for sea bass (16.5 inches) and black fish (16 inches). All citations are returnable to Suffolk First District Court.
  

Undersized blackfish discovered under truck seat in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Undersized blackfish discovered in white fabric waist belt in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Undersized striped bass discovered in a van in Suffolk County (photo attached)

Undersized seabass and blackfish discovered during fishing compliance check in Suffolk County (photo attached)

To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or to report an incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch or email (for non-urgent violations).