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.”

Illegal Deer Take – Sullivan County

On Sept. 14, ECO Boyes responded to the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area in Mamakating for reports of a deer shot from a vehicle. Officer Boyes met New York State Police units at the location and assisted with the investigation.

A complainant reported seeing the subject placing a gun back in their vehicle but did not witness the shot being fired. ECO Boyes eventually located two subjects in the woods near the vehicle in question and observed hunting equipment inside the truck.

Two individuals returned to the vehicle dragging a dead dear within minutes and one of them walked Officer Boyes and the New State Police Troopers to the location where he had shot the animal. Police recovered a spent casing at the location matching the shooter’s rifle.

State Police then used a laser rangefinder to determine the distance from which the hunter shot from a nearby residence. Although the subject did not shoot from a vehicle as first reported, he was too close to a residence when he discharged the firearm.

ECO Boyes ticketed the hunter for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, illegally taking a deer, and failure to properly tag deer. His accomplice was charged with illegally taking a deer for assisting in the efforts. The tickets are returnable to Mamakating Town Court.