Check points coming back toward NYC

[Timeless]

For those heading back to the Long Island area this coming Sunday, most of us have experienced the opening weekend check point just before the Throgg's Neck bridge.  While I am generally okay with the idea, is this really legal?

For anyone with a deer in clear view, I can understand the DEC stopping the driver and checking things out.  However, my experience has been a bit odd with the DEC seeming to wave over anyone driving a pickup truck and some SUV's, not just vehicles with game in view.  This sure reads like profiling to me.  Anyway...

In 2020, I got a deer and when I was approaching the check point I pulled over once I was waived over to do so.  Knowing I had a deer, I didn't even think twice about it.  My deer was completely covered by my bed cover and there was nothing obviously visible indicating I had a deer in my truck.  Nevertheless, the DEC officer checked everything out, including having me uncase my rifle along the highway to prove it was unloaded, and I went about my way.

Last year, I did not get a deer.  About a mile from the bridge, I was tail gated by a trooper who pulled off to the rest of the DEC crew along the highway.  Not having a deer, the thought of pulling over at the check point was not even in my mind.  At the last minute, someone hit their sirens and waved me to pull over.  I complied.

After exchanging pleasantries with the DEC officer, I told him I was unsuccessful.  He asked about firearms to which I explained what was in my vehicle, nothing was loaded, and the ammo was locked in the bed of my truck.  All legit.  He asked to see the rifle and I reluctantly complied being careful to not even point the muzzle end of the case toward the officer.  Then he asked to see inside the covered bed of my truck.  Meanwhile, its locked, I'm outside talking to the office, my truck is running, and for me to unlock the bed, I need to go into my truck, turn my truck off, and unlock the bed with the ignition key.  Again I complied, and low and behold, a deer did not manifest itself in my truck unbeknownst to me.

I asked the DEC officer some questions about what they were looking for and some were obvious (firearms unloaded...duh).  There were a couple that I was surprised about:

- Obviously, unload your firearm(s) when transporting it/them.  I had an unloaded mag in my rifle and it was a non-issue.  Your mileage may vary.

- I do not know if ammo is supposed to be kept separate from a rifle case, but I always try to keep my firearm and ammo separate.  If the rifle is in the cab, ammo is in the bed, and viceversa.

- If you used someone else's DMP tag, make sure its signed by the original licensee and filled out correctly.

- If you are transporting someone else's deer or meat not only must it be tagged, but you need to have a quick little signed letter giving you permission to transport the carcass or meat.  I overheard a couple guys being educated about this and it was not sounding too good for them.

- Be cool.  These people are just doing their job.  If you get pissy and escalate a situation, you're putting the odds against you that some minor issue that might have just been a warning, will be a ticket.

This is not legal advice, just my experience to hopefully save someone from losing their deer or meat this coming weekend over an honest mistake.  Good luck this weekend.

[mowin]

Just doing there jobs. 

People give them a hard time when they get caught doing something wrong, and people give them a hard time if they are completely legal for the inconvenience. 

Never had to go through a check point because I live very close to where I hunt, but have been stopped or checked a few times over the yrs by DEC.  

[The_Real_TCIII]

Just doing their job, pulling you over with zero cause and hoping to find something to fine you for.