DEC: Hudson Valley Hunters Illegally Killed Deer Before Sunrise

Two Hudson Valley hunters are accused of firing off shots and killing a deer near a number of homes before sunrise.

Recently, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers responded to a complaint that two hunters fired shots about 40 minutes before legal sunrise in the town of Marbletown.

Two hunters were soon found in a field and admitted to killing a deer at first light, officials say.

After interviewing the two hunters and the witness, the ECOs alleged the first shot was taken around 6:15 a.m. and the second at approximately 6:30 a.m.

Legal sunrise that day was 6:54 a.m.

The officers also say the shots were taken within 350 feet of several nearby houses.

The deer was already dressed out, and a DMP carcass tag wasn't filled out, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

One officer recognized one hunter from a prior hunting season and contacted a local court to check on the status of a previous warrant, which was still active, police say.

That unnamed hunter was arrested on the warrant and was 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 for illegally taking a deer.

Both were arraigned at the Town of Marbletown Court.

The DEC would like to remind hunters that the legal hunting hours are from official sunrise to official sunset.

• Will the Hudson Valley See Snow This Weekend?
• Woman Killed by Oncoming Train in Hudson Valley
• Teacher From Hudson Valley Found Dead in School Bathroom
• Coywolf Spotted in Lower Hudson Valley, on Palisades Parkway
• Violent, High-Risk Sex Offender Moves Near Hudson Valley School
• Police: Hudson Valley Teen Sets Fire to Home
• Police: Hudson Valley Couple Snorted Heroin Near Child

Here are this week's Top 5 news stories from the Hudson Valley