Major Crackdown On Poaching In NY

[THE GOB-FATHER]

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Yancey Roy
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 [phone]

MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON DEER POACHING NETS MORE THAN 100 INDIVIDUALS
"Operation Jackhammer" Targets Violators in Hudson Valley,
Catskills, Capital Region and Adirondacks

A major initiative to crack down on illegal deer hunting from the
Hudson Valley to the
Canadian border has led to charges against 107 individuals for more
than 250 offenses, New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner
Pete Grannis
announced today.

The investigation, dubbed "Operation Jackhammer," focused on the
illegal taking of deer
by use of artificial light * a practice commonly known as "deer
jacking." This involves night
hunting where poachers shine a spotlight on a deer feeding in fields
to
"freeze" the animal long
enough to shoot it -- killing deer when they are most vulnerable.
Typically, deer jacking occurs
in remote rural areas, late at night. Due to these late hours and
secluded areas, there are few, if
any, witnesses to this crime.

This fall, DEC undertook the largest coordinated anti-deer jacking
initiative in the state's
history. Operation Jackhammer utilized more than 100 Environmental
Conservation Officers
(ECOs) from the Hudson Valley, Capitol Region, the Catskills and the
Adirondacks. During a
six-week period, ECOs were assigned to saturation patrols in targeted
rural locations, with
stakeouts taking place at all hours of the night. The investigations
largely covered the weeks
before the start of deer season, when, historically, DEC fields
numerous complaints about deer
jacking.

"Traditionally," Commissioner Grannis said, "DEC investigated
deer jacking complaints
on a piecemeal basis, responding to reports as they came in. We
changed
that with Operation
Jackhammer, putting together a coordinated effort to not only target
lawbreakers but also to
determine just how widespread this dangerous and illegal practice is.
What we found was
surprising. Deer jacking occurs more frequently than the public may
suspect. I'm proud of the
success of our officers * who put in long hours at night, dealing
with armed individuals and often
without backup help. Their work sends a strong message that poaching
will not be tolerated."

"DEC takes seriously the crime of nighttime deer poaching for many
reasons * safety,
foremost," said Henry Hamilton, DEC Assistant Commissioner for
Public
Protection. "Deer
jacking involves someone firing off a high-powered rifle in the dark,
not knowing what or who is
behind their target. Sometimes, it involves shooting across roads. But
also, poachers typically
trespass across private lands, violate hunting ethics and rob
legitimate hunters of opportunities."

"Deer hunting is a long-standing tradition and an important part of
New York's outdoor
heritage, providing recreational opportunities and food for sportsmen
and sportswomen and their
families," said Howie Cushing, president of the New York State
Conservation Council. "Most
hunters play by the rules, but deer jackers don't. This illegal
practice allows them to take unfair
advantage of New York's resources."

During the six-week operation, DEC officers charged 107 individuals
with 187
misdemeanors and 87 violations. This included 27 instances of hunters
killing deer at night
while using a spotlight or other artificial light and 48 instances
where a hunter was caught using
a light but had yet to kill a deer. Typically, other related charges
were filed in these instances,
such as carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle, hunting after hours and
firing a gun within 500 feet of
a house.

By region, 102 misdemeanors and 37 violations were filed in the
Adirondack Park and
surrounding North Country. In the Capital Region and northern
Catskills, there were 71
misdemeanors and 46 violations. In the southern Catksills and Lower
and
Mid-Hudson Valley,
there were 14 misdemeanors and four violations.

Approximately 40 guns were confiscated and 42 illegally-taken deer
recovered.

Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) Hotline

DEC encourages anyone with information on environmental crimes and
violations are
urged to call its 24-hour hotline, 1-800-TIPP-DEC or 1-800-847-7332.
Callers may
request to file complaints anonymously.

Penalties

"Taking of Deer with the Aid of an Artificial Light" is a
misdemeanor punishable by a
fine of $250 to $2,000 and/or incarceration for up to one year, as
well
as possible revocation of
hunting privileges for up to five years.

"Operating an Artificial Light on Lands Inhabited by Deer While
Possessing a Firearm" is
a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $200 to $1,000 and/or
incarceration for up to 90 days.
Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $250 and/or incarceration
of up to 15 days.

[grizz1]

That is GOOD news, hope they continue to work hard at arresting these thieves. Sounds like they caught more than they expected.

[LongSpur39]

I think N.y needs a curfew or set time like Pa when you can shine deer! And then increase the fines to say 1,000 smackers if you get caught shining after that time. And of course if you have the any other violations that are already in place. Tack em on! I'd say 10 pm is a good shut down time. Because in most areas folks are still awake at that time. to hear or see that stuff goin on. Another thing is shutdown coyote hunting at night during deer season. Daylight hours only. Nobody has any business being out spotlighting after midnight or in the wee hours of the morning. It burns my a$$ every year,someone finds headless corpses somewhere in the area. My buddy found one the first week of gun. In a wide open field for everyone to see,including non hunters. Said it looked like the head was cut off with a boning saw! These dirtbags could care less about the future of hunting. Selfish and greedy.