Waterfowl Hunters Busted For Bagging 14 Migratory Birds With Bait On Long Island: DEC

BROOKHAVEN, NY — A group of hunters were ticketed last month after they were caught along the Carmans River with over a dozen waterfowl they baited with corn, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

The Carmans River runs through the Long Island's Central Pine Barrens region from Middle Island to Shirley. There are several parks along the river, including Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and Southaven Park. The specific location the group were found in was not available.

Environmental Conservation Officers were called to a location along the river over reports of hunters using bait on Jan. 25, and when they canvassed the area, they heard gunshots, which led them to the group, the department said.

The officers found that the group had taken nine American black ducks, four Canada geese, and one hooded merganser, and one officer who paddled a canoe down the river confirmed the presence of corn in the water, according to the department.

The waterfowl were seized and the hunters was issued tickets for the unlawful taking of migratory waterfowl, hunting with the aid of bait, and taking ducks over the bag limit, the department said.