Man, 81, Shoots Deer, Squirrel, Crow Out His Window: DEC

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Hampton Bays man shot a deer, squirrel and crow from the window of his home, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Environmental Conservation Officer Tim Fay responded to a call reporting the dead deer in a Hampton Bays backyard on April 20, the DEC said.

ECO Fay found an entrance hole through the deer’s rib cage that indicated a small caliber bullet and evidence revealed the deer had been killed within four hours, the DEC said. He contacted ECO Christopher DeRose and K-9 Cramer for assistance; the ECOs located a .22 caliber bullet inside the deer, the DEC said.

The officers visited the neighboring property to question the owner, who denied the shooting, the DEC said. Fay was invited inside the house where he found a dead gray squirrel and a crow — and the owner admitted the animals were shot off the bird feeder with a pellet gun from the window, the DEC said.

Meanwhile, DeRose worked with K-9 Cramer outside of the house and found a fresh .22 caliber casing under a bedroom window, the DEC said. The officers presented the owner with the evidence obtained and the man admitted to the crime, the DEC said.

The ECOs explained the dangers of discharging a firearm in close proximity to other homes, officials said.

The 81-year-old man was charged with taking deer out of season, using a rifle on Long Island, discharging within 500 feet of a house, and taking the squirrel and crow out of season; he is due back in Southampton Town Justice Court, the DEC said.

"From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York's environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers," said NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don't receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC's mission to protect and enhance our environment."

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