Shot 18 deer and just left them to rot


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Happened in my county just up the road.

N.J. residents charged with deer poaching

By Tom Grace

Cooperstown News Bureau

Two New Jersey residents have been charged with poaching deer in the Burlington area as the state Department of Environmental Conservation investigates the illegal killing of as many as 18 deer, Rick Georgeson, DEC spokesman, said Tuesday.

Many of the deer were left dead in the woods, he said.

"We were able to track down some of the deer with our K-9 unit, and they’re being studied for forensic evidence," Georgeson said.

So far, two people have been charged in the deaths of five deer, he said. They are Philip Pierson Jr., 19, of Washington, N.J., and Patrick Stone, 17, of Asbury, N.J., and 1675 County Route 16 in Burlington.

Pierson and Stone are charged with five counts of taking deer with the aid of an artificial light, five counts of taking deer with a gun during bow season, having a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, using lights on lands inhabited by deer while in possession of a firearm, hunting deer without a license and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

The rifle-hunting season for deer starts Nov. 18.

In addition, Pierson is charged with discharging a firearm over a public highway.

All of the charges are misdemeanors. If convicted, the two men face up to two years in jail, according to Otsego County Assistant District Attorney Paul Elkan, who is handling the case.

Both men have been arraigned in Burlington Town Court and were in jail without bail Tuesday, scheduled to reappear in Burlington Town Court on Dec. 4.

Additional charges may be pending in the town of New Lisbon, Elkan said.

Also charged in connection with the incident were Kyle Burnham, 21, of Washington, N.J., and John Peters. 19, of Asbury, N.J. Burnham was charged with having a loaded firearm in a vehicle and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle and was fined $350.

Peters was charged with having a loaded firearm in a vehicle and was fined $250.

The four were apprehended Oct. 27 near Manzo Road in Burlington by DEC Officer Tom Harrington, according to court records.

"It’s good that people know we’re out there trying to stop this sort of thing from happening," Georgeson said.

Anyone who sees deer poaching should call the DEC’s tip line at (800) 847-7332, he said.

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Re: Shot 18 deer and just left them to rot

What a waste...

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"It’s good that people know we’re out there trying to stop this sort of thing from happening," Georgeson said.

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With as many Officers Availible it's amazing they caught 2 people out of the thousands.

We know your out there doing your jobs....there's just not enough of you out there! tongue.gif

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Re: Shot 18 deer and just left them to rot

The saddest part of this is we as hunters will still get a bad rap for what happened.

We can only hope everyone can sort out the good from the bad in all the media take on this!

The lawbreakers should NEVER be allowed to posess a hunting license or a firearm again. They are a total disgrace to all sportsmen.

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Guest HNTR4LF

Re: Shot 18 deer and just left them to rot

i agree i know ppl will look at this and think bad about all hunters.im glad they were caught but i think the fines should be higher and time longer.they should never be allowed to purchase a firearm, hunt, and all hunting equipment they own should be given to a place like the salvation army so that some ppl who respect hunting but may have a low budget can enjoy hunting.

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Re: Shot 18 deer and just left them to rot

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I am guessing their family trees are as straight as an arrow...maybe the parents are 1st cousins or maybe even brother and sister

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Pierson and Stone are actually brothers and the parents are divorced. Mom in Jersey and dad in NY. They are all dairy farmers and the boys were up to work on the farm. I do believe Stone is a high school drop out as he does not attend our school district and works full time on the farm. I don't think these guys have lived in the area for a year. Word has it they are out of jail and back down in Jersey.

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