Chris Bates
Deer Poaching Leads to Felony Arrest – Washington County
On December 4, ECO Krug arrested and charged a 20-year-old man in connection with the illegal take of an antlerless deer in Washington County after a weeks-long investigation.
On November 16, Officer Krug received a call from a hunter who reported hearing a shot and locating a deceased antlerless deer in a field where he and his son were hunting in the Town of Greenwich. The complainant stated that no one else had permission to hunt on the property and that he and his son were unable to locate the shooter. ECO Krug arrived at the location and watched the deer for several hours without anyone retrieving it. The next day, the deer was gone. Officer Krug tracked the animal back to a residence in Greenwich and conducted interviews with several members of the same family over a two-week period, including one subject who originally stated the deer was roadkill that he picked up. Additionally, ECO Krug confiscated a rifle from the residence believed to be used to illegally harvest the deer.
Officer Krug later located the prime subject in Fort Edward and charged him with felony criminal contempt, criminal possession of a weapon, submitting a false written statement, and child endangerment, along with multiple violations of the ECL, including the illegal take of an antlerless deer and hunting without a license. All charges are pending in the Town of Greenwich court. The deer was donated to a venison donation program.
