New York conservation officer shot probing illegal hunting
GALLATIN, N.Y. -- Authorities say a New York state environmental conservation officer is hospitalized with a gunshot wound after being shot while investigating reports of illegal hunting.
State police say two Department of Environmental Conservation enforcement officers were checking out reports of trespassing with shots fired around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Columbia County town of Gallatin, 40 miles southeast of Albany.
Troopers say Officer James Davey was walking in a corn field when he was hit in the pelvis area by a bullet fired from the rifle of a hunter, 54-year-old Alan Blanchard of Gallatin. Officials say they believe the shooting was accidental, but was caused by Blanchard’s reckless conduct, reports the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Davey underwent surgery at MidHudson Regional Hospital and is listed in stable condition.
Blanchard was charged Tuesday night with assault. He was being held Wednesday in county jail without bail. It couldn’t be determined if Blanchard has a lawyer.