DEC seeks information on hunting-related shooting incident in Erie County

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Law Enforcement is asking the public to share information about the identity of a pheasant hunter involved in a hunting-related shooting incident with another hunter on Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in the Town of Collins. Investigators from DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement interviewed the victim following the incident, during which he was struck with pellets from a round discharged by a fellow pheasant hunter. Although the victim spoke to the hunter who fired the round, he was unable to recall the subject’s name or contact information. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident or the identity of the second hunter is asked to contact DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement at 716-851-7050, Ext. 5.

A state press release noted, “Thanks largely to the efforts of more than 3,000 dedicated volunteer sportsman education instructors for over 60 years, New York has extremely safety-conscious hunters. While statistics indicate that hunting in New York is safer than ever, DEC reminds hunters that hunting-related shooting incidents are preventable by following these important safety tips:

√ “Assume every gun is loaded;

√  “Control the muzzle. Point your gun in a safe direction;

√  “Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire;

√  “Be sure of your target and beyond; and

√  “Wear hunter orange or pink, required in some instances.

For more information on these and other important hunting safety tips, visit DEC's website to view videos about hunter safety and for more tips. Those with an urgent hunting-related concern can report it to DEC’s 24-hour law enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).