On Dec. 10, Robert Nelson of Esopus paid $605 in fines and surcharges to the Town of Esopus Court related to the illegal taking of a deer and using bait during his hunt. ECO Jeannette Bastedo received a tip on Nov. 6, that an individual took a deer the prior day in an area known to be baited in past hunting seasons. ECO Bastedo responded to the area and located a pile of feed approximately 15 yards from a tree stand, as well as a blood trail that started less than four feet from the bait pile. The ECO followed the blood trail, found a pair of gloves left in the woods, and collected the gloves for DNA purposes. Armed with this evidence, ECO Bastedo and ECO Lucas Palmateer interviewed Mr. Nelson about his hunt on Nov. 5. At first, the subject told the officers that he didn't know the bait was there until he was dragging the deer out. Eventually, he admitted he had placed the bait in the area approximately one week before his hunt in order to attract deer. Nelson was charged with the misdemeanor of illegally taking a deer and a violation of hunting with the aid of bait. After reaching a civil compromise, he was ordered to pay fines. The deer was seized and donated.
