Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol
ECO Seabury with turkeys killed illegally in Jefferson County
Albany, March 31, 2026 – Illegal Turkey Take – Jefferson County
On February 27, ECO Seabury responded to a complaint from a resident who reported witnessing an individual shoot and kill several wild turkeys off a back porch in the Town of Orleans. Officer Seabury questioned the subject who admitted to firing four shots and killing three wild turkeys while they were feeding at a bird feeder in the dwelling’s backyard. The turkeys were hidden in the bed of the subject’s pickup truck.
ECO Seabury ticketed the subject for multiple counts of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, the illegal take of wildlife, and taking game out of season. He then confiscated the birds as evidence. The defendant is due in court in April to answer the charges.
The upcoming season for wild turkeys is May 1 to May 31 with a bag limit of two bearded birds per hunter. It is not uncommon for wild turkeys to congregate in residential areas near bird feeders during winter months to store necessary fat reserves for survival.
Posted: March 31st, 2026 under General News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News, Statewide News.