Poachers Posed as Wildlife Photographers to Illegally Hunt Deer

Two men in upstate New York have pleaded guilty to a wildlife poaching scheme that involved posing as a female wildlife photographer on social media. The duo used the fake profile to befriend real photographers, gaining inside information on the locations of large deer in no-hunting zones.

According to prosecutors, one of the men created a Facebook account under a false female identity, portraying himself as a nature photographer passionate about tracking deer. The account engaged with local photography groups, interacting with members who shared images of bucks they had spotted in protected areas. Over time, the poachers gathered enough details to locate and illegally hunt the animals.

Authorities say the men carried out the hunts by dressing as hikers, carrying bows hidden in their backpacks. After locating their targets based on the shared photographs, they would shoot the deer in prohibited areas and then transport them out of the zone under the cover of night.

The scheme came to light when conservation officers noticed an unusual increase in deer poaching cases within the restricted area. A tip from a local hunter, who became suspicious of one of the men’s social media activity, ultimately led authorities to investigate the fake photographer profile. Further digital forensic analysis revealed private messages in which the suspects discussed their plan and the information they had gathered from real photographers.

Both men were arrested and pleaded guilty to multiple violations of hunting laws. They have been fined, had their hunting licenses revoked for five years, and were ordered to complete community service related to wildlife conservation.

This case highlights how social media can be exploited for illegal activities, even in niche communities like wildlife photography. The incident has sparked discussions among nature photographers about the potential risks of sharing location details in publicly visible posts. Some have suggested that online photography groups implement stricter rules about revealing GPS coordinates or identifiable landmarks in their images.

Officials emphasize that while most hunters follow ethical guidelines, cases like this demonstrate the need for vigilance in both online communities and wildlife conservation efforts. They urge photographers to be mindful of the details they share and report any suspicious activity to authorities.