Turkey Baiting, Illegal Shooting Accusations In Dutchess County

DOVER, NY — An illegally shot turkey was seized by an environmental conservation police officer in Dutchess County earlier this month.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, an officer received a tip May 1 about possible turkey baiting in the town of Dover.

The officer planned to conduct surveillance for Operation Early Bird the next morning.

Before daylight, he found a vantage point and concealed himself.

After sunrise, numerous turkeys came to the area, pecking and scratching, where the bait was assumed to be, authorities said.

As a large tom arrived, the officer said he heard the boom of a shotgun and quickly ran toward the sound.

He found two people standing over a dead turkey. One of the persons was holding a shotgun while the other held a camera.

During his investigation, the officer found a large amount of corn spread throughout the woods.

He issued two tickets to the person who shot the bird: one for hunting turkeys with the aid of bait and another for the illegal take of protected wildlife.

The dead turkey was seized and donated to a local family, authorities said.

Summonses are returnable to the Town of Dover Court.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.