TURKEY TROUBLE: DEC Officers bust pair of hunters in Lewis County on numerous illegal acts

LEWIS COUNTY- A pair of turkey hunters are accused of numerous wrongdoings in Lewis County.

In the latest New York State DEC ENCON highlights, Lieutenant Woyton and ECO Jarecki conducted a routine compliance check in the town of West Turin on May 27. 

Right off the bat, the report suggests that Lieutenant Woyton observed a loaded shotgun in the front seat of the subjects’ vehicle.

Once ECO Jarecki responded to assist, the officers reportedly discovered turkey parts, beards, and breast meat from at-least five different birds in the trunk (for context, licensed hunters are only permitted to take two bearded birds during the spring season in May).

The subjects, who were not identified in the report, stated they each took two turkeys while hunting in Pennsylvania, but were apparently unable to produce tags to prove that the birds were legally harvested.

One of the subjects 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.

NYS DEC image.