DEC REGION 5 ENCON POLICE REPORT
October 25, 2010

Essex County
On, Sunday, October 17, 2010 at approximately 10:30 am, two hunters were shot at by a property owner in the Town of Minerva, Essex County. One of the hunters had accidentally crossed onto property owned by Michael P Ardito, Jr., 70, of Margaretteville, NY. When told to get off the property, the hunter complied and turned to leave. It is alleged that Mr. Ardito then fired two shots over the head of the hunter, in the direction of a ridge where the second hunter was located.

The hunters reported the incident to the New York State Police, who notified DEC Environmental Conservation Police. A State Trooper and an Environmental Conservation Officer responded to Mr. Ardito’s residence and encountered him returning from hunting on his property. Allegedly, he was in possession of a rifle, although only the deer muzzleloading season was open.

Ardito was charged with two felonies – reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, and two misdemeanors – menacing and hunting deer with a rifle during the muzzleloading season. He was arraigned in Town of Minerva Court and released after posting bail.

Hamilton County
On, Sunday October 17, responding to reports from a DEC Forest Ranger, DEC Environmental Conservation Officers investigated a deer illegally taken near Great Camp Sagamore in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. Two officers and a K9 were able to locate evidence indicating that a muzzleloader had been discharged with 500 feet of a dwelling. Terry Gordon, 49, of Keeseville, NY, was issued tickets for taking illegal deer, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, both misdemeanors, and shooting within a safety zone, a violation. The case is returnable in the Town of Long Lake Town Court.

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All subjects in this report are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.