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 2024, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
“DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors,” Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC’s ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York’s Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State.”
Boozing and Boating Investigation – Albany County
On May 3, ECOs Bevis, Bohling, Curinga, and Wilson observed two anglers fishing from a vessel near the Coeymans Landing Marina on the Hudson River in the city of Albany. The Officers inspected the vessel and conducted fishing compliance checks on both individuals. The subjects appeared disoriented, slurred their speech, were unable to follow simple instructions, and admitted to drinking alcohol. Additionally, the boat operator failed a host of Standardized Field Sobriety tests. The ECOs arrested the operator and charged him with operating a vessel under the influence and four additional tickets for navigation law violations. Officers transferred the subject to the custody of New York State Police for further investigation regarding the boating while intoxicated charge.
Spring Fest – Nassau County
On May 3, ECO Francis attended “Spring Fest” at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium in Nassau County. The annual event includes vendors affiliated with fishing and nature. Officer Francis interacted with members of the public and offered education about New York’s fishing regulations. She also helped attendees sign up for the saltwater fishing marine registry and answered questions about her job duties as an ECO and the requirements to join the police force, including the training academy process and upcoming exams. To find out more about how to become a DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer, visit the DEC website.
ECO Francis attends annual “Spring Fest” at Cold Spring Harbor in Nassau County
Oh Snap! – Westchester County
On May 3, ECO Murphy received a call from the Somers Police Department regarding three people in a boat on the Muscoot Reservoir in Westchester County shining a spotlight in the woods. ECO Murphy went to the location and observed three individuals in a rowboat stop at a nearby peninsula and remove a large object from the boat before proceeding to a nearby cove to dock. Officers approached the trio at the dock and the subjects claimed they were bowfishing for carp. ECO Murphy checked their equipment and licenses before returning to the peninsula to investigate. The Officer found a large cooler, partially hidden under a rowboat, containing three live snapping turtles. Once confronted with the evidence, one subject admitted to using a spotlight to draw the turtles to the surface of the water before capturing them in a large net. Snapping turtles have an open hunting season from July 15 through Sept. 30 and can only be taken with a bow or firearm. The individual who admitted to the unlawful catches did not possess a valid hunting license and received three tickets for hunting without a license, the illegal take of wildlife, and taking game out of season, returnable to Somers Court.
Snapping turtles discovered during illegal hunting investigation in Westchester County
Commercial Shellfish Check – Nassau County
On May 8, ECOs Francis and Smith partnered with DEC Division of Marine Resources employees to check commercial shellfish diggers harvesting in North Shore Nassau County waters for compliance with the State’s Vibrio Control Plan requirements to ensure shellfish consumption safety. The inspectors checked for umbrellas/shading equipment to preserve the shellfish on board and that hard clams and oysters meet temperature requirements upon returning to shore. Officers also checked for appropriate certifications, completed tags, and boat safety equipment. Four vessels were inspected during the detail and no tickets were issued.
ECOs check temperature of shellfish returning to shore aboard a commercial shellfish vessel in Nassau County
Vessel in Distress – Suffolk County
On May 11, ECO DeVito responded to a report of a disabled vessel with an individual on board suffering from a medical emergency. Officer DeVito partnered with members of the East Hampton Marine Patrol unit to locate the distressed vessel approximately eight miles into the Atlantic Ocean, off Montauk Point. The passenger with the medical emergency was in stable condition when the team arrived, and East Hampton Marine Patrol updated the U.S. Coast Guard about the incident. Emergency crews towed the boat and all three passengers on board to safety in Montauk Harbor. Once back on shore, the passengers turned down further medical attention.
Disabled vessel located near Montauk Point safely towed back to shore in Suffolk County
Illegal Turkey Take Investigation – Cayuga County
On May 15, Lieutenant Colesante and ECO Prentice responded to a complaint about a subject taking turkeys over the legal limit in the town of Montezuma. During the investigation, Officers determined a subject had taken three adult male turkeys illegally on separate days in May and brought them to local taxidermists to make tail fan mounts. Lieutenant Colesante and ECO Prentice interviewed the subject, who confessed to shooting the three turkeys. The Officers issued one ticket to the subject for taking over the limit of spring turkey and one ticket for hunting turkey without a valid permit. Hunters may take two bearded birds during the spring turkey season in New York, but only one bird per day. For more information on turkey hunting regulations in New York State, visit the DEC website. Listen to DEC’s latest episode, “Talking Turkey” on the “DEC Does What?!” podcast.
Turkey fan discovered during illegal turkey hunting investigation in the town of Montezuma, Cayuga County
Casting the Wrong Net – Town of Green Island
On May 19, ECO Hameline observed an angler fishing from a vessel and throwing a large cast net into the Hudson River near the Federal Dam in the town of Green Island. Recreational cast nets are legal for taking river herring in a designated portion of the Hudson River, but the nets must have a maximum diameter of 10 feet. Officer Hameline conducted a fishing compliance and marine safety check and asked to see the cast net the angler used. The angler produced two nets, the larger having a 14-foot diameter; four feet larger than the legal limit. ECO Hameline ticketed the angler for use of an unlawful net, returnable to the Town of Green Island Court
ECO observes a vessel through a spotting scope fishing in the Hudson River near the Federal Dam in Albany County
Cast net confiscated by ECOs during illegal fishing investigation in Albany County
Jones Beach Air Show – Nassau County
On May 24 and 25, ECOs Francis, Franz, Pabes, and Lieutenant Reilly provided security at the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach State Park. The Officers ensured boats observed a temporary ‘no wake’ rule during heightened boating activity, specifically between the Wantagh and Meadowbrook bridges. The annual air show at Jones Beach was headlined this year by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, as well as other performers.
ECOs provide security at annual air show at Jones Beach State Park in Nassau County
Turkey Trouble – Lewis County
On May 27, Lieutenant Woyton conducted a routine compliance check on two turkey hunters in the town of West Turin. The Lieutenant observed a loaded shotgun in the front seat of the subjects’ vehicle and he and ECO Jarecki, who was called to the location to assist, discovered turkey parts, beards, and breast meat from at least five birds in the trunk. The subjects stated they each took two turkeys while hunting in Pennsylvania but were unable to produce tags showing the birds were legally harvested. One subject also failed to possess a hunting license. Officers charged both individuals with multiple violations/misdemeanors including possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of wildlife, failure to properly tag turkeys, hunting small game without a license, and failure to carry a turkey permit while afield, as required. ECOs turned the information over to Pennsylvania authorities for further investigation.
Lieutenant Woyton (left) and ECO Jarecki (right) with turkey parts confiscated during illegal hunting investigation in Lewis County
Fishing Derby – Saratoga County
On May 31, ECOs Doroski, Leubner, and Shaw hosted the “13th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby” at the 4H Training Center in the town of Milton, Saratoga County. Families braved relentless rainfall during the event as some anglers casted fishing lines for the first time, while others enjoyed the excitement of reeling in a rainbow trout. The children were provided fishing rods and bait and treated to a free lunch after the fishing festivities. ECOs in attendance assisted with every aspect of the day, including baiting hooks, casting lines, and removing hooks from fish. ECO Shaw created this derby for children in 2010; it is held annually with support from a variety of local groups and volunteers.
ECO Shaw with young angler at the 13th Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby at the 4H Training Center in Saratoga County
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).
