ALBANY – Unethical deer hunters who take deer out of season or jack-light deer will pay more fines upon conviction, under a new law signed this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The minimum poaching fine will be $500 now, instead of the previous minimum of $250. The maximum fine for a misdemeanor offense will increase to $3,000, an increase of $1,000 from the previous $2,000 maximum. The higher fine applies to poachers who kill deer before or after the legal harvest season or those who kill a deer using artificial light. Poachers could also face a year in jail. The new law takes effect in March 2018.