Opinion: Why Aren't Poachers in New York Treated This Way?

A landmark sentence was just handed down to convicted poachers in Ohio that will likely send shockwaves through the hunting community. Why can't we do something like that in New York?

It's hard to find a group of people more concerned with animal welfare and ecological preservation than an ethical hunter. Unfortunately, poachers are on the opposite side of that coin. Earlier in the year, New York residents were shocked to learn not only of an extensive poaching scheme, but the surprisingly light punishments that were given.

The NYS DEC say that Kevin Butler of Afton, NY was one of the hunters implicated in a widespread deer poaching network. He is seen here on a trail camera in Erie County, NY (NYS DEC)

Detailed Poaching Scheme in New York State Revealed

The incident, which is described in detail here, read like something out of a movie. The poachers had gone through unimaginable lengths, including catfishing wildlife photographers and hiding arrows inside hollow walking sticks, to illegally harvest massive deer (below). The punishment they received was seen by many as little more than a slap on the wrist.

Authorities say Kevin Zorda of Oneonta, NY posed online as a female wildlife photographer to elicit locations of urban bucks from local nature enthusiasts (NYS DEC)

Punishment for Poachers in New York State

The poachers were eventually fined roughly $1,000 and had their hunting licenses suspended for five years. The punishment was a far cry from the sentence just handed down in Ohio that seemed to have some similarities to the case in New York.

A poacher in Ohio recently received a 5-figure fine in addition to jail time for his infractions (Ohio State Attorney General)

Landmark Punishment for Poachers in Ohio

Recently, a hunter who illegally harvested a trophy buck in Ohio (above) may have become the first deer hunter in the country to receive jail time for their hunting infraction. The 28-year-old was fined nearly $50,000 and sentenced to 90 days of jail time. Why can't that happen in New York?

Should New York Adjust Their Poaching Penalties?

Prosecutors in Ohio shared that the punishment was meant as a clear message to other "bad actors" who tried to skirt hunting laws... something that poachers in New York might pay attention to as well.

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Many hunters in New York already support the idea that more hunting infractions should be classified as felonies instead of misdemeanors. Increased penalties would also send a stronger message to would-be poachers. Taking a page out of Ohio's book could be a benefit not only to local animals, but the entire state.