Hunters lose licenses, fined, for deer poaching in Columbia County

D.A. CZAJKA ANNOUNCES NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION REVOKES MEN’S HUNTING LICENSES

District Attorney Paul Czajka announced today that on September 17, 2019, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) revoked the hunting licenses of Hunter Ordway and Jeremy Schermerhorn.

Ordway and Schermerhorn were convicted in 2018 of numerous violations of the Environmental Conservation Law, including what is commonly referred to as “deer jacking.” They were fined $12,000 and $3,000, respectively, the highest fines ever in New York State history for deer poaching.

DA Czajka is grateful for Commissioner Seggos’s recognition of Assistant District Attorneys Joyce Crawford and Ryan Carty for this prosecution (as well as for his recognition of the District Attorney’s role in obtaining search warrants resulting in the seizure of “nearly 100 illegal wildlife products and obtaining convictions resulting in over $35,000 in criminal fines.”)*

Local sportsmen and women may recall that District Attorney Czajka had requested that DEC impose a lifetime revocation of the hunting licenses for the defendants. However, New York State law limits such revocations to five (5) years. (ECL Sec. 11-0719) Consequently, DEC revoked the hunting license of Ordway for the maximum period allowed by law of five (5) years and the hunting license of Schermerhorn for four (4) years. Further, the Commissioner directed both to successfully complete a Sportsmen Education Program during the revocation period.

District Attorney Czajka commended the investigation of Environmental Conservation Officer Jeffrey Cox for bringing these two criminals to justice.

Photo below is file photo, and not of those convicted

Multi-generation male hunters walking with hunting rifles in remote field

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content