Syracuse.com - DEC conservation officers nab poacher on Oneida Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

Individuals spotting a poacher or any lawbreaker while fishing or hunting should call the DEC as soon as possible, dialing either 1-800-TIPP-DEC or 426-7431.

Wednesday, DEC officers Mark Colesante and Chrisman Starzcek, were out patrolling on Oneida Lake, along the south shore. They spotted Thomas A. Smith, of Brewerton, whom they knew had his fishing license revoked.

"As the ECOs approached the boat, the man began moving about. ECOs told the man not to throw anything over the side," said Emily DeSantis, a DEC spokeswoman. "One fish was released, but one ECO was able to board the boat before any more fish could be dumped. The man was found to be in possession of 53 sunfish (limit is 50)."

Smith was a ticketed for fishing while his license or privilege to fish was revoked, fishing without a valid license, over the limit of sunfish, failure to comply with a lawful order of an environmental conservation officer and failure to comply under the navigation law.

Smith is due back in Town of West Monroe court on June 10.

Individuals spotting a poacher or any lawbreaker while fishing or hunting should call the DEC as soon as possible, dialing either 1-800-TIPP-DEC or 426-7431. The cell phone numbers of local DEC officers are also listed in the DEC's hunting and fishing guides.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog