'Oh Snap!' Boater Cited For Luring, Capturing Turtles At Muscoot Reservoir: NYSDEC

SOMERS, NY — A clandestine, late-night attempt to lure snapping turtles into captivity was foiled by police, according to New York environmental officials.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says that on May 3, an Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) was contacted by the Somers Police Department about people in a boat on the Muscoot Reservoir who were shining a spotlight in the woods.

Once on the scene, the officer saw three people in a rowboat stop at a nearby peninsula and take a large object out of their the boat before heading to a nearby cove to dock, authorities said.

When officers spoke to the trio at the dock, they claimed to be bowfishing for carp, according to police.

An officer checked their equipment and licenses before returning to the peninsula to investigate further. The officer then found a large cooler, partly hidden under a rowboat, with three live snapping turtles inside.

When confronted with the evidence, one of the people admitted to using a spotlight to draw the turtles to the surface of the water before using a large net to capture them, according to the NYSDEC.

Snapping turtles have an open hunting season from July 15 through Sept. 30, and can only be taken with a bow or firearm. However, the person who admitted to the unlawful catches did not have a valid hunting license, and received three tickets for hunting without a license, the illegal take of wildlife, and taking game out of season, the NYSDEC said.

The accused poacher is scheduled to appear in Somers Court.

According to the DEC, while some love snapper soup, if you choose to eat snapping turtles, you should carefully trim all fat and discard fat, liver, and eggs prior to cooking to reduce exposure to contaminants.