Because New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) operates with just about 81% of the Environmental Conservation Officers that they’re allowed, the Union is Sounding the Alarm about Hunter Safety as Deer and Bear Hunting Season is Underway. James McCartney, President of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (NYS PBA) said the Shortage happened “bit by bit over several decades,” Endangers Members of the Union, and makes it Harder to Protect Wildlife and the Environmental.
A NYDEC Spokesperson said Law Enforcement plays an important Role in keeping Hunting Safe and Enjoyable. Their Division of Law Enforcement Operates a 24-hour Dispatch to Advise Local (ECO)s of any Uurgent Calls for Service in their Assigned Areas, and they Routinely respond to Calls at any hour. The Agency said Officers will be “out in force” during the current Hunting Seasons.
ECOs Enforce Laws and Regulations for Big Game Hunting on Hunters from New York and Out-of-State. And they’re Fully Authorized to Enforce All State Laws within their Jurisdiction, including Traffic Violations and Violent Felonies. Plus, during the Busier Hunting Season, they still have to Maintain Regular Duties like Protecting Wetlands or Investigating Timber Theft.
USFDEC employs at least 276 sworn ECOs and Investigators. That number comes from PBANYS, though DEC said it’s 279. Either way, that’s still below the 290 Positions Funded in the current Fiscal Year 2025/2026 New York State Budget. And even that’s about 50 Officers shy of the Maximum allowed by Law, 342 ECOs and 18 Dispatchers, the Union said. Of the Sworn ECOs, 182 are Field Officers and 25 are Field Investigators. That means at least 72 Sworn Officers have Non-Field Roles like Supervisory or Administrative Positions. In the Field, some are Deployed to NYC or another City, meaning Less Coverage in Vast Rural Territories. DEC Regions can be as Large as 10,000 square miles Shared by as little as Six Field Officers.
As a result, the Union said Multiple Wildlife Management Units Statewide could have No Assigned ECO on any given day. PBANYS representing about 1,200 Members including ECOs—Acknowledged that State Law doesn’t require Meeting the 342-Officer Cap nor even Staying above a Minimum. Still, McCartney said Understaffing means “fewer wildlife protections, more unsafe hunting conditions and an overall degradation” of the State’s Environmental Obligations.
In the First-Half of 2025, the DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement fielded about 45,000 Calls. ECOs and Investigators Responded to almost 19,000 Complaints and Worked on Cases that led to over 9,000 Tickets or Arrests. Violations so far this year have included Poaching Deer, Dumping Solid Waste, Excessive Emissions Violations, Illegal Mining, and Illegal Pet Trading.
DEC said they’re Working to make sure its ECOs continue their Legacy and Meet the Challenges of Tomorrow. The Agency said its Training Academies in recent years have Increased Officer Recruitment. The State just Approved 9,923 Applicants to take the Entry-Level Exam held from November 1-22. In September 2024, that Number was 9,248. Exams are Available for ECO and Park Police Trainees, Forest Rangers, and State University of New York Police Officers.
DEC’s next Basic School for Uniformed Officers is Slated for February, 2026. But the Union said the Lack of Officers creates a Bigger Problem today, when Civilian Gun ownership is at an “all-time high” and Hunting Grows in Popularity. PBANYS wants Lawmakers to Mandate Adequate ECO Dtaffing, lift the current Cap on ECO Positions, Hire more Trained Officers, and Fund New Positions. “Only through adequate officer staffing can the state of New York maintain the safety and integrity of its wildlife population and outdoor spaces,” the Union said.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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