2 cited for hunting violations

Two hunters have been cited by state Department of Environmental Conservation officers for shooting at deer within 350 feet of homes and with shooting too early in the morning, the department said Wednesday.

The department reported that officers responded to a complaint on Nov. 21 that two hunters fired shots in Marbletown about 40 minutes before sunrise, in violation of state law.

Neither hunter was identified.

Officers said the first shot was taken around 6:15 a.m. and the second about 6:30 a.m. Sunrise that day was 6:54 a.m.

The officers were also able to determine that the shots were fired within 350 feet of several nearby houses. State law prohibits discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.

An officer recognized one of the hunters from the prior hunting season and contacted the local court to check on the status of a previous warrant, which still was active, according to the environmental departmental. That hunter was arrested on the warrant and charged with taking big game before legal hours, shooting a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, failure to tag as required, and illegally taking a deer.

The second hunter was charged with hunting without a license and illegally taking a deer.

Both hunters were arraigned in Marbletown Town Court and released with tickets for future court appearances.

For information about legal hunting times, watch a Department of Environmental Conservation video at bit. ly/2iup1mw.