Youth Hunt – St. Lawrence County
On Sept. 28, ECOs in St. Lawrence County partnered with the Borderline Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and DEC Wildlife employees to host a youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt at the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area in the town of Louisville. Mentors, parents, and volunteers assisted in educating 12- to 15-year-old hunters about New York’s hunting regulations before heading afield to test their skills. The youth hunt was free thanks to the generosity and donations from the New York Conservation Officers Association, St. Lawrence County Federated Sportsmen, and Potsdam Elks Club, along with some local and national retail firearms companies. Volunteer mentors included Lieutenant Basford and ECOs Ryan, Atwood, Schneller, and Helmer, among others. Several youth hunters successfully harvested birds during the event. All youth hunters are required to take New York’s Hunter Education Course, obtain a valid hunting license, and attend an additional safety training course before participating in a hunt.
Youth hunters, ECOs, mentors, and volunteers attend a youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt in St. Lawrence County. NYS DEC photo.
Backcountry Patrols – Adirondack Forest Preserve
On Oct. 4, ECOs LaPoint and Traynor patrolled remote stretches of the Adirondack Forest Preserve in Hamilton County focused on fishing and Navigation Law violations in New York’s backcountry. The Officers issued two written tickets–one for insufficient personal flotation devices and another for failure to carry a fishing license. The ECOs used various vessels, vehicles, and methods to ensure compliance with New York’s Environmental Conservation Law even in the farthest reaches of the Adirondacks.
ECO LaPoint patrols remote stretches of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. NYS DEC photo.
Kids Day Gets Loony – Hamilton County
On Oct. 5, Lieutenant Higgins and ECO Traynor attended “Kids Day” in the town of Inlet, that included a fishing derby during which Officers helped children catch sunfish, perch, and bass on Fifth Lake. Those who caught the biggest fish went on to win prizes later in the day.
After the derby, the ECOs judged the first annual “Kids Day” loon calling contest. The third judge, Gary Lee from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, started off the contest by demonstrating several different loon calls. Sixteen brave students then stood up and showed off their best loon calls. Three winners were presented a plaque for their amazing calling efforts.
ECO Traynor (left) and Lieutenant Higgins (right) attend Kids Day fishing derby in Hamilton County. NYS DEC photo.
New York Women in Law Enforcement – Lake Placid
From Oct. 16 to 18, DEC Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) Director Karen Przyklek attended the annual New York Women in Law Enforcement training conference in Lake Placid along with other members of DLE. Hundreds of law enforcement officers across the state attend the event to network and gain knowledge about current laws and trends and to develop leadership skills to help strengthen police forces. The DEC DLE pipe and drum band participated in the opening ceremonies.
DLE Director Karen Przyklek with the Division’s pipe and drum band at New York Women in Law Enforcement event, Lake Placid. NYS DEC photo.
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).
Photo at top: Youth hunters show off harvests during a youth waterfowl and pheasant hunt in St. Lawrence County. NYS DEC photo.