On November 21, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) DeRose responded to a complaint in the town of Islip about two hunters dragging two deer from Connetquot River State Park Preserve, which was closed to hunting.
Officer DeRose arrived at the location and observed blood evidence on the pavement where the deer were reportedly dragged out of the woods and loaded into a vehicle. During his investigation, ECO DeRose was approached by a youth on a bicycle who asked the Officer what he was doing in the area. Officer DeRose informed the inquisitive youth that he was investigating reports of deer killed illegally in the adjacent State park. He then continued his investigation on foot.
Before long, five of the youth’s friends arrived in the area and peppered Officer DeRose with some additional questions about his investigation and his role as an ECO. DeRose answered their questions and then proceeded with collecting evidence that eventually revealed the deer were likely taken legally from Town property where hunting is allowed.
Realizing the investigation was probably not going to reveal any criminality, ECO DeRose continued the learning opportunity and explained the evidence he was collecting to the youths and provided them with a brief education about New York State’s hunting laws and regulations and the importance of being an ethical hunter. Officer DeRose was elated that he was able to combine a real hunting investigation with some impromptu outreach that hopefully inspired some future Environmental Conservation Police Officers.
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.