10-Point Buck Killed Near Backyard Bait In Dutchess County

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A complaint about a buck shot near a bird feeder led to a Dutchess County man facing charges of illegally shooting wildlife and the loss of the buck to the evidence locker. On Oct. 27, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Zachary Crain received information regarding a 10-point buck shot in the town of Poughkeepsie.

The complainant explained that the man who shot the buck keeps a feeder in his backyard filled with bird seed. At the residence, Crain asked the alleged poacher to show him the buck he had shot that morning.

The impressive 10-pointer was hanging in the man’s garage and was not properly tagged.

According to Crain, the man turned and asked, “Are you going to ticket me for my bird feeders?”

Crain then asked the man show him the backyard where the feeder was hung. The subject had positioned a game camera approximately 10 feet from the feeder to capture the unsuspecting deer that visit the feeder for an easy meal.

The officer asked the man to show him where the deer was shot. The man explained that he was getting ready to go hunting that morning in Hyde Park when he saw the buck walking away from the feeder.

Despite knowing hunting over bait is illegal, the temptation proved too great, police said.

The illegally harvested buck was seized as evidence, and the man received numerous citations, including hunting before legal shooting hours, improperly tagged deer and illegal take of protected wildlife with the aid of pre-established bait.

The man will answer the charges in the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court.

Photo caption: ECO Zachary Crain with the illegally killed 10-point buck. Photo credit: NYS DEC.