In September, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) in Orange and Sullivan counties responded to reports of a potential illegal deer take in the town of Rockland.

Officers arrived at the location and observed a recently washed Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) and several buzzards flying in the area where the deer had been reportedly taken.

The ECOs also discovered a feeder filled with corn strapped to a nearby tree. ECOs interviewed the alleged subject who said he was hunting bears but eventually confessed to shooting an eight-point buck with his rifle while walking back from his tree stand.

ECOs charged the individual with taking deer out of season, hunting deer and bear over a pre-established bait pile, discharging a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling, and trespass in accordance with Environmental Conservation Law, all returnable to the Town of Rockland Court.

Big game season in New York began on Oct. 1 for bowhunting; the regular big game rifle season begins Nov. 16.