A man faces a weapons charge and 10 separate tickets following an investigation into the illegal killing of two deer in the Town of Masonville, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
The investigation began after environmental conservation officers responded to a complaint on Sept. 30, 2026, regarding a deer that had been shot with a rifle the previous evening, WBNG reported.
Officers Doig and Osborne followed evidence from a roadway onto posted property to identify where the animal had been killed. During an interview at his home, the man admitted to shooting a doe the night before, the DEC said.
Investigators discovered the man had a previous felony conviction, which meant he could not legally possess a firearm. A state trooper arrested him and charged him with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor.
While the arrest was being processed, officers received a separate complaint regarding a second deer killed in the same area on Sept. 29. The man initially denied shooting that deer, WBNG reported.
On Oct. 1, Officer Osborne returned to both locations and recovered bullets. One bullet was found lodged in the second deer, which had been left in a field, the DEC said.
The recovered bullets matched the caliber and characteristics of the man’s rifle. Investigators collected tire and wheelbase measurements that matched the man's vehicle, and security camera footage showed a vehicle matching his truck's make and model at the second location.
After officers presented this evidence, the man admitted to shooting the second deer, according to the DEC.
Officer Osborne issued 10 tickets for various violations, including:
- Illegally taking two deer
- Trespassing
- Hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle
- Discharging a firearm from a public highway
- Use of a spotlight
- Possessing an unsecured firearm
- Killing two deer out of season
The tickets are scheduled to be handled in the Town of Masonville Court. More information regarding the legal proceedings may be available through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Keep reading
No. 9 Tennessee Faces Texas A&M in Crucial SEC Road Matchup
No. 9 Tennessee faces a critical road test against Texas A&M this Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time....
Oregon Progressives Gain Power to Push Wealth Tax and Policy Shifts
Oregon progressives roughly doubled their presence in the House and Senate during last week's election as the Democratic...
Why Beating Michigan Is the Only Nonnegotiable Left for Ohio State
In a column for Land-Grant Holy Land, a contributor argues that while Ohio State has three games remaining...
Proposed SNAP Rule Changes Could Impact Nevada Families and Retailers
Federal regulators are moving to tighten how families qualify for food assistance, a decision that could strip nutrition...