SOMERS, N.Y. - Last month, the Somers Police Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation teamed up to stop a suspect catching snapping turtles without a license.
On Saturday, May 3, ECO Murphy was called to the Muscoot Reservoir after receiving a report from the Somers PD regarding three individuals in a boat shining a spotlight into the woods.
Officers approached after the boat docked in a cove, and the trio claimed they were bowfishing for carp. Further investigation revealed a large cooler hidden beneath a nearby rowboat which contained three live snapping turtles.
After being confronted about this discovery, one of the individuals admitted to using a spotlight to lure the turtles to the surface and capturing them with a net.
Snapping turtle season runs from July 15 until Sept. 30, and they can only be taken with a firearm or bow.
The individual responsible for the unlawful catches did not have a valid hunting license and received tickets for hunting without a license, the illegal taking of wildlife, and taking game out of season.
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