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DEC tickets dozens of alleged deer poachers throughout St. Lawrence County

Posted 12/21/11

Dozens of alleged deer poachers have been charged during a deer-taking surveillance program throughout St. Lawrence County and the North Country, DEC announced. DEC says Environmental Conservation …

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DEC tickets dozens of alleged deer poachers throughout St. Lawrence County

Posted

Dozens of alleged deer poachers have been charged during a deer-taking surveillance program throughout St. Lawrence County and the North Country, DEC announced.

DEC says Environmental Conservation Officers worked around the clock to target illegal deer shooting, particularly with the use of an artificial light, a practice commonly known as deer jacking. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas at night.

The summary of violations, which took place in the past fall, represents many days’ efforts where ECOs worked long hours and often confronted armed individuals, according to the DEC report.

DEC Law Enforcement Captain Stephen Pierson said, “Without the help of the sporting community we cannot be as effective in detecting and deterring this type of illegal and unethical behavior.”

Conservation officers' phone numbers are listed in the Hunting/Trapping guide and the Fishing guide; they can also be reached at DEC’s 24 hour dispatch center by calling 1-877-457-5680.

ECOs are out in full force this time of year patrolling, staking out and observing areas where people typically take deer. They are in uniform and undercover, in vehicles and on foot, checking licenses and watching over deer decoys.

Below is a list of individuals ticketed by ECOs for violating New York’s Environmental Conservation Laws in St. Lawrence County during the past big game season, some more than once. Many more were charged in other areas of Region 6.

As a rule, violations appearance tickets are subject to a fine up to $250 and/or up to 15 days in jail. Misdemeanor appearance tickets are subject to a $200 to $1000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail. Taking deer with an artificial light is subject to a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail. Some narratives include what the person actually paid, if they had already appeared in town court.

Charged in St. Lawrence County between Sept. 15 and Dec. 11 were:

On September 15, Michael Pratt, 27, of Ogdensburg and Dale Hazelton, 43, of Norfolk were charged with taking doe deer out of season, possessing a loaded firearm in motor vehicle, discharging a firearm from a public highway, and taking deer with the aid of motor vehicle, all misdemeanors. Pratt appeared in Stockholm Town court and paid a $600 fine. Hazelton paid a $1000 fine.

On September 15, Dale Hazelton, 43, of Norfolk was issued four tickets for Taking game with the aid of Motor vehicle, Take Doe deer without permit, Shooting from a public highway, and possessing a Loaded firearm in a Motor vehicle. A Civil Compromise of $1,000 is pending in Stockholm town court.

On October 2, James Dibley, 40, of Albion was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Dibley appeared in Pitcairn Town court and paid a fine of $250.

On October 8, Shaylynn C. Merrick, 19, of Lisbon was charged with operating a spotlight/artificial light while in possession of an uncased/unsecured firearm, a misdemeanor. She is scheduled to appear at Lisbon Town court.

On October 8, Kyle D. Bjork, 22, of Lisbon and Jashua A Hitsmen, 20, of Lisbon were charged with possession of an unsecured firearm in a motor vehicle while spotlighting, a misdemeanor. Both were issued an appearance ticket returnable to Lisbon Justice court.

On October 15, John Kennedy of Hammond was charged with possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Kennedy was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Hammond Town court.

On October 15, Michael Barna of Wind Gap, PA was issued appearance tickets for placing salt licks and for feeding deer. Barna appeared at the town of Hammond Court and paid a $10 fine and a $75 surcharge for each ticket.

On October 19, Edward Carter, 76, of Ogdensburg was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and discharge of a firearm from a public highway, both misdemeanors. Carter pled guilty to both charges and paid a civil penalty of $405 dollars. In addition, Fredrick Carter, 67, and Charles Shaver, 78, also of Ogdensburg were charged with discharging a firearm across a public highway, a misdemeanor. They also appeared in Clare Town Court and each paid a fine of $200.

On October 20, Gregory Denny, 42, of Ogdensburg was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Denny plead guilty and paid a civil penalty of $202.50.

On October 22, Matthew Exware, of Norwood was issued a ticket for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a Dwelling, a violation. The ticket is pending in the Town of Stockholm court.

On October 28, Joseph Orologio Jr., 33, of Norwood was issued appearance tickets for failing to carry hunting license plus tags and hunting with the aid of a bait pile. Orologio appeared in Norfolk Town court and paid $100 fine.

On October 28, Zachary Palermo, 22, of Piercefield was charged with hunting deer after the end of shooting hours, a violation. Palermo was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Piercefield Town court.

On November 1, Wayne D. Hendricks, 63, of Dekalb was issued appearance tickets for placing salt licks to entice deer to feed, a violation. Hendricks was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Dekalb court.

On November 4, Rocco V. Perretta, 61, of Morristown was charged with possessing a loaded gun in his motor vehicle. Perretta was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Morristown court and was offered a Civil Compromise of $250.

On November 5, Justin Baxter, 29, of Massena was charged with possession of an unsecured firearm in a motor vehicle while spotlighting, a misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Brasher justice court.

On November 5, Jason Brown, 20, Luke Breault, 19, and Dalton Serguson, 19, all of Massena were charged for possession of unsecured firearm in motor vehicle while spotlighting, a misdemeanor. All three were issued an appearance tickets returnable to Brasher Justice court.

On November 6, James Laduke, 32, of Plattsburgh was charged with possession of a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and operating an all terrain vehicle without a helmet. Laduke plead guilty to both charges and received a civil penalty of $202.50 for the misdemeanor and a $75 fine for the all terrain vehicle violation.

On November 9, William Rouselle, 67, of Childwold was charged with hunting deer with the aid of bait, a violation. Rouselle was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Piercefield Town court.

On November 11, David Groff, 53, of Rochester was charged with possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, shooting on/from/over a public road, and taking a doe deer without a permit, all three misdemeanors. Groff also received a violation for taking wildlife with the aid of a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear at Macomb Town court.

On November 11, Fredrick Exware, 58, of Tupper Lake was issued an appearance ticket for hunting bear in a closed area, a violation. Exware appeared in Lawrence Town Court and paid a $200 fine.

On November 11, Rocco V. Perretta, 61, of Morristown was charged for transporting an untagged deer. He was fined $100, and a $75 Surcharge at Morristown Town court.

On November 12, Timothy E. Morrill, 46, of Norwood was charged with transporting an untagged deer and failure to tag deer, both violations. He is scheduled to appear at Potsdam Town court.

On November 13, Layne Clark, 58, of Mannsville was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Clark plead guilty and paid a civil penalty of $202.50.

On November 14, David H. Drake, 61 of Hammond was charged with use of a spot light within 500 feet of a dwelling, a violation. Drake was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Macomb court.

On November 15, Derrick M. Hills, 21 of Canton was charged with failing to tag a buck deer he shot that evening, a violation. Hill was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Canton court.

On November 15, Alex J. Amyot, 36, of Madrid was charged with possessing a loaded gun in his motor vehicle, a violation. Amyot was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Macomb Town court.

On November 16, Jermey Prashaw, 26, of Gouverneur was charges with failure to carry hunting license, a violation. Prashaw was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Pitcairn Town Court.

On November 22, Dustin Norton, 16, of Norfolk was issued an appearance tickets for trespass and hunting over a bait pile, both violations. Norton is to appear in the Town of Stockholm court.

On November 25, Charles Thomas Jr., of Winthrop was issued appearance tickets on taking doe deer out of season, possess loaded firearm in motor vehicle, discharging firearm from public highway, and taking deer with the aid of motor vehicle, all misdemeanors. He is to appear in the Town of Stockholm court.

On November 25, Jonathan Bickford, 27, of Brasher was issued four tickets for taking game with the aid of a motor vehicle, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, shooting across a highway, and taking a doe deer out of season. Civil Compromises of $1,000 are pending in Town of Stockholm court.

On November 26, Gerald Compo, 40, of Lisbon was charged with hunting deer without a big game license and taking an antlerless deer without a deer management permit, a misdemeanor. He was also charged by the state police with criminal possession of a weapon 4th, a class A misdemeanor. Compo pled guilty to both Conservation law charges and paid $477.50 in fines. The criminal possession of a weapon charge is still pending in the Lisbon justice court.

On November 26, Randy Reese 46, of Ogdensburg and Jerry Parmeter 43, of Ogdensburg were both charged with taking doe deer without a permit. Both individuals appeared in Lisbon Town court and each paid a fine of $300.

On November 30, Randy D. Gotham, 22, of Hermon was charged with possessing an untagged deer, and failing to carry his hunting license while big game hunting, both violations. He is scheduled to appear at Hermon Town court.

On December 1, Drew F. Bertrand, 18, of Morristown was charged with hunting deer with the aid of a artificial light, Possessing a loaded rifle in a motor vehicle, killing deer by means not specified, misdemeanor charges, taking wildlife with the aid of a motor vehicle and hunting big game after legal hours, violations. Bertrand’s gun, light and eight point buck deer were seized and he was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Morristown court.

On December 3, Thomas Jenison, 65, of Canton was charged with possession of tags of another, a violation. Jenison was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Canton Town court.

On December 4, Michael S. Bell, 44, and Robert H. Johnson of Lisbon were charged with hunting big game (deer) without a license, a violation. Both were issued appearance tickets returnable to the Lisbon Town court.

On December 4, Timothy Coventry, 23, of Tupper Lake was charged with hunting deer without a big game license, a violation. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Pierrepont justice court.

On December 4, Albert Morey Jr., 54, of Bruston was issued appearance tickets for trespass on posted property, failing to leave upon request, and failing to exhibit hunting license. All three charges are violations. Morey is to appear in the Town of Potsdam court.

On December 7, Bruce Clookey, 50, of St. Regis Falls was charged for discharging from highway and possessing a loaded gun in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Clookey is to appear in the Town of Hopkinton court.

On December 8, Randy Collins, 35, of Canton was charged with hunting deer during the closed season, a misdemeanor. Collins was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Clare Town Court.

On December 10, Charles Meuten and Michael Farrell of Morristown were charged with possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Both were issued an appearance tickets returnable to Macomb Town court.

On December 11, Thomas Plantz, 22, of Fowler was charged with possessing a shotgun while engaged in hunting deer during the muzzleloading season, a misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Pitcairn justice court.

On December 11, Elija Gilmour, 17, of Potsdam was charged with three misdemeanors for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, hunting deer with the aid of an artificial light, and killing a deer by means not specified within the Environmental Conservation Law. He also received two violations for taking deer with the aid of a motor vehicle and hunting deer after legal hours. He is scheduled to appear at Morristown Town court.

If you have information regarding illegal hunting activities, DEC asks you to contact their Turn in Poachers & Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-847-TIPP (7332).