8 Dead Deer Spur

Deer-Jacking Probe

MILFORD – The state Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating the deaths of eight deer found in a Milford field as a possible “deer-jacking” case.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, the DEC received a call from Otsego County 911 regarding several dead deer found in a field at 872 County Highway 35 in Milford. Two conservation officers responded along with state troopers and found eight dead deer within a one-mile section, all dead of gunshot wounds.

Deer-jacking involves shining an artificial light on deer, causing them to freeze and making it easier to shoot them.

State police and DEC K-9 units assisted in the recovery of evidence and the deer were transported to DEC’s wildlife pathology lab in Delmar for necropsies. According to reports, three people are being interviewed about the incident, but no arrests have been made.

The investigation of this incident is ongoing and more information will be shared after it becomes available.