For Release: Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Region 9 Environmental Conservation Officers Respond to More Than 350 Calls for Service this Season
Zero Hunter-Related Shooting Incidents Involving Personal Injury
A summary of hunting-related violations that occurred in Region 9 during the 2012 regular big game season was issued today by Captain Frank Lauricella of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Police in Region 9. Region 9 covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming counties.
Since the start of the regular deer season through the end of the late special muzzleloading season (Nov. 17 through Dec. 18, 2012), Environmental Conservation Police in Region 9 report a total of 273 hunting related enforcement actions against 178 defendants, in addition to responding to approximately 350 calls for service. Ten hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) involving property damage were investigated within Region 9 during this year's regular season; none involved personal injury.
Of the 273 charges, 101 were classified as misdemeanors and included the illegal taking of deer, discharging firearms within 500 feet of dwellings, shooting across roadways, possessing loaded firearms in vehicles, using spotlights at night to hunt deer, hunting after closed hours, and others. These charges carry potential fines of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. Tickets were also issued for 172 violations, including trespassing, hunting over bait, improper tagging, hunting without a license, transport of untagged deer, hunting in the wrong Wildlife Management Unit or in a closed area, and others.
The table below summarizes enforcement activity by county from Region 9's entire big game season, from the start of regular deer season through the end of the late special muzzleloading season.
| County | Total Number of Charges Issued (During Regular Big Game Season) |
Number of Defendants |
Enforcement Actions Classified as Misdemeanors |
Enforcement Actions Classified as Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany |
26 | 20 | 12 | 14 |
| Cattaraugus | 25 | 20 | 12 | 13 |
| Chautauqua | 48 | 31 | 14 | 34 |
| Erie | 79 | 45 | 35 | 44 |
| Niagara | 22 | 15 | 7 | 15 |
| Wyoming | 73 | 47 | 21 | 52 |
| Regional Total | 273 | 178 | 101 | 172 |
"Environmental Conservation Officers in Region 9 worked hard all season to promote hunter safety and to ensure that the laws protecting our state's natural resources are upheld. While violations do occur, it is important to recognize that the majority of this region's sportsmen and women consistently and conscientiously uphold New York's hunting regulations, and play an essential role sharing the traditions of safety, responsibility and conservation with the next generation of hunters," said Captain Lauricella.
Anyone with information about potential illegal hunting practices or other environmental crimes is encouraged to contact DEC's 24-hour dispatch hot line at 1-877-457-5680.
For a detailed summary of hunting-related violations in Region 9 that occurred during the 2012 big game season through the late special muzzleloader season (Nov. 17 through Dec. 18, 2012) please contact Region 9's office directly.
