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.

“Whether solving environmental crimes, safeguarding New York’s natural resources and wildlife, or connecting with communities and inspiring the next generation of conservationists, Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators have an historic legacy of protecting New York’s air, land, water, and public safety every day and in every corner of the state,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I am proud of their tireless efforts to enforce New York’s stringent Environmental Conservation Law by holding polluters accountable and promoting the safe, sustainable, and responsible use of the great outdoors, and encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC.NY.GOV to learn how to become the next Environmental Conservation Police Officers.”  

Poaching Attempt Backfires – Washington County

On Dec. 14, ECOs charged three Vermont residents for their alleged roles in a shooting incident in Washington County in November 2024.

Vermont Game Wardens and State Police investigated and determined that on Nov. 30, the trio drove through the town of Salem in search of a deer to shoot. Once they spotted a buck, the driver attempted to shoot the animal from the vehicle but pulled the firearm back inside when a truck pulled up behind the car. The rifle discharged inside the vehicle and a bullet went through the driver’s hand and out the door of the vehicle.

The group drove back to Vermont and reported the incident, claiming it occurred in that state. After an investigation, the shooter admitted the incident happened in New York and Vermont law enforcement turned all the information over to ECO Krug.

ECO Krug and Investigator Panipinto interviewed the three subjects and arrested the shooter, a convicted felon, for criminal possession of a weapon, hunting without a license, possession of a loaded gun in a motor vehicle, discharging a firearm over a highway, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a farm structure. The shooter spent five days at Albany Medical Center recovering from his injuries. The other two subjects received a total of seven tickets for charges related to the shooting.

Birthday Turkey – Wyoming County

On Dec. 15, 2024, ECO Muchow responded to reports from a resident in the town of Arcade who had witnessed an individual shoot a turkey in their field. The caller provided the Officer with a picture of a boot print left in the snow on the property, a vehicle description, potential license plate number, and the alleged subject’s location. ECO Muchow arrived at the subject’s residence and observed a boot print in the snow matching the one in the picture and two turkey feathers leading to the garage. After an investigation, the individual admitted he had shot the turkey from a roadway and given the carcass to his friend as a birthday present. Officer Muchow seized the turkey from the friend and issued five tickets to the subject for taking wildlife from a public roadway, illegal use of a rifle to hunt turkey, possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, taking game out of season, and discharging a firearm on a public highway.

Happy Holidays – Jefferson/Franklin/Clinton Counties

ECOs statewide spread some holiday cheer in December:

• On Dec. 14, 2024, ECO Schneider and Lieutenant Bartoszewski participated in the 21^st Annual Shop with a Cop program, which pairs law enforcement officers with children for a morning of Christmas shopping. The day began with the children riding in police cars, with lights and sirens on, from the Jefferson County Public Safety building to a local retailer. After the shopping trip, the kids took pictures with Santa, enjoyed a pizza lunch, and received new winter coats. This year’s program included 61 children from the surrounding community and participation from first responders and law enforcement officers from across Jefferson County.

• On Dec. 18, 2024, ECOs Hovey and Garrand joined the Joint Council of Economic Opportunity (JCEO) of Clinton and Franklin counties to transport Christmas gifts to families in Franklin County. The gifts were distributed to families in the Saranac Lake area to help provide a memorable holiday season. The items were donated by local businesses and distributed by JCEO’s Holiday Helpers Program, a not-for-profit organization.

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).