Dumb Upstate New York Fisherman's Lie Reels Him $1,000 in Fines

It's one thing to break the law, but lying like this just made everything 10-times worse.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was recently alerted about two people casting a net in the Tillman Road Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Clarence. ECO's Ike Bobseine and Don Damrath took the call and quickly headed over to Erie County to learn more.

Officer Damrath arrived first, where he witnessed a man casting a net into the water and quickly hiding it in the bushes. When the officer got out of his car to approach the scene, the man's young child quickly popped up and ran back to his parents.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Suspicious? No kidding! But what the man did next will blow your mind.

Endless Denial

Even though he was wet, muddy and barefoot, the man completely denied using the the cast net. ECO Damrath then found the net and bucket, containing 107 pumpkinseeds and bluegills (82 over the 25 panfish limit)... and a 1-inch largemouth bass fry. All of which the man continued to deny was his doing.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

The man's wife finally admitted to it all, saying her husband used the net because her son couldn't catch anything with a fishing pole. But why did the kid run from the officer before? That's because his parents put him on lookout.

12 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- July 2023

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 7/01/2023:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.