Illegally killed deer seized, donated to venison donation program

PRATTSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- On Dec. 7, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) responded to a complaint of people illegally feeding a deer. Upon an investigation, officers seized a deer and donated it to a venison donation program.

Officer Lucas Palmateer responded to the call and when on location, he began interviewing the property owner, who reportedly admitted to placing corn in the area to feed the deer and shooting a buck in the same location the day prior. The property owner then told Palmateer he brought the deer to a butcher in Catskill.

Lieutenant Anthony Glorioso went to the butcher while officers interviewed the man further. During the interview process, the owner reportedly told Palmateer that the deer he shot was his second buck of the year and placed his daughter's tag on it. According to the DEC, hunters are only allowed to take one buck during the big game rifle season.

Once at the butcher shop, Glorioso saw both bucks and seized the second as evidence. The seized deer was brought to a venison donation program butcher.

According to the DEC, during hunting season, they partner with Feeding New York State, to feed those in need. Each year, hunters help address food insecurity in New York by donating 50,000-70,000 pounds of venison, the DEC said.

Officer Palmateer issued the man tickets for using the tags of another, taking over the limit of white-tailed deer, hunting with the aid of pre-established bait, and the illegal take of white-tailed deer. The tickets are returnable to the town of Prattville Court.