Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

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.

In the first half of 2025, DEC's Division of Law Enforcement fielded an estimated 45,000 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 18,934 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 9,440 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

In 2024, the Division fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in ECOs and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations.

"DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York's air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors," Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. "As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC's ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York's Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State."

Deer Poacher Convicted - Genesee and Wyoming Counties

On July 14, a Wyoming County man pleaded guilty and paid a penalty for numerous deer poaching incidents in Genesee and Wyoming counties, ending a nearly two-year ECO investigation.

ECO Fuerch responded to a complaint in September 2023 of a headless deer in a field in the town of Bethany, Genesee County. The complainants reported that the deer was shot between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Officer Fuerch responded to the location and observed the large, headless deer approximately 100 yards off the road with a small-caliber bullet hole in its carcass.

ECOs investigated and identified Tyler D. Jennings, 29, of Attica, as a subject. With search warrants and evidence analysis, ECOs obtained time- and date-stamped photos and text messages confirming the illegal take of 15 antlered deer, mainly large bucks, dating back to 2019. ECOs also discovered the subject shot a large buck out of season in September 2023 and tagged it with an expired 2018 tag, trespassed regularly to take deer illegally, and unlawfully shared antlered-deer tags.

On Feb. 27, 2025, Jennings was arrested and charged with four counts of illegally taking wildlife (misdemeanor), two counts of taking big game after legal hours (misdemeanor), one count of taking deer over the limit (misdemeanor), and nine counts of criminal mischief in the third degree (felony).

DEC worked with the Wyoming County District Attorney's Office and in July, the subject pleaded guilty and was required to pay $6,000 in fines and $750 in court surcharges. DEC also revoked Jennings' hunting privileges for five years.

DEC appreciates the assistance with this investigation from New York State Police (NYSP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Village of Attica Police, Wayne County Sherriff's Office, Wyoming County District Attorney's Office, and the public.