Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - ECOs Charge Poachers in Deer Jacking Case

ECOs Charge Two North Country Poachers for Jacking Two Bucks;

Repeat Offenders Face Fines, Jail Time, and Hunting License Revocation

 New York State Environmental Conservation Investigators and Officers (ECOs) charged two North Country men with multiple offenses related to alleged “deer jacking” in Jefferson County. The subjects have been convicted of similar offenses in the past and now face thousands of dollars in potential fines, incarceration, and revocation of their hunting privileges.

 On September 6th 2024 ECOs arrested Jonathan M. Lille, 23, and Tyler S. Monica, 20, both of Adams, NY for unlawfully taking two deer at night in the Towns of Henderson and Hounsfield on December 30th and 31st, 2023. The defendants are charged with the unlawful taking of big game, taking big game from a motor vehicle, taking big game from a highway, taking big game with the aid of artificial light, (deer jacking), discharge of a firearm over a public highway, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and taking big game during the closed season, all misdemeanor crimes. Lille received an additional violation for trespassing on posted property.

 Deer “jacking” is the illegal taking of deer at night with the aid of a light. If you are familiar with the phrase, “deer in the headlights,” it pretty much sums up the unethical poaching method. Shining a powerful light in the eyes of a deer temporarily freezes it in-place, making normally wary bucks’ easy prey for “jackers.” The term deer “jacking” traces its origins back before portable electric lights when jack pine torches were used to shine deer for an easy shot. 

 For ECOs charged with protection of our wildlife resources, this time of year marks the unofficial start of “jacking season.” 

 Large whitetail buck’s racks are highly desirable and easy to obtain by shining a light and shooting them from vehicles at night. Big bucks are frequently sought after by deer jackers.  When you look at the picture of the racks of the deer jacked in this case, you’ll see one is especially large and of high quality. A buck that old would be a challenge to harvest using legal, ethical hunting practices, but was an easy mark when it was “jacked.”    

 Region 6 DLE Captain Harold Barber said, “I applaud our DEC Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators (BECI) for their diligence and dedication over several months to investigate these defendants and hold them accountable for their crimes. Let this serve as a reminder to the public that poaching of any kind is illegal, unethical, and against New York’s rich hunting traditions that thousands of responsible hunters participate in each year.”

 The investigation began earlier this year when ECOs received complaints about the duo from a member of the sporting community. The investigation revealed that Lille and Monica used spotlights to shoot the big bucks from a vehicle, at night, during the closed season.

 Local ECOs are familiar with both men, having charged them with similar offenses in the past. In 2021, Lille pleaded guilty to three unlawful hunting charges and Monica lost his hunting license until 2023 due to similar charges. 

 In this new case, both men face up to $9,000 in criminal fines and could have their hunting privileges revoked for up to five years. Tickets received in the town of Henderson were returnable to Henderson Town Court on September 9th and those received in the town of Hounsfield are returnable to the Town of Hounsfield Court on September 24th.

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!

News and Notes…

Deer Management Permit Applications Deadline is October 1st

Those who wish to apply for a Deer Management Permit (DMP) to take antlerless deer in NY this hunting season MUST apply on or before October 1st. In addition to that, its opening day for the early archery season for deer in the Southern Zone.  October 1st also serves as the statewide opener for many small game species. Go to  www.dec.ny.gov for more information on open seasons and legal hunting implements. 

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.