Two Arrested After Taking Shots at a Turkey Buzzard in Pittstown

Another curious item from the local news files of Albany's 107.7 WGNA, this one from May 2014, tells the story of two men in Rensselaer County who apparently decided a turkey buzzard made for a worthy target — and paid the legal price for it.

A witness spotted the two men allegedly shooting at a turkey buzzard near their home in the Pittstown area and notified authorities. Officials from New York State ENCON (the Department of Environmental Conservation) and a New York State Trooper responded to the call, and Daniel Kocienski and Thomas Fuller were both arrested. wgna

The charges were multiple and varied. Fuller was allegedly seen shooting at the bird with a rifle held over his head, and faced several ENCON charges including hunting a turkey with a rifle and firing a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling, among others. His companion fared somewhat better in court terms: Kocienski received a ticket for taking small game out of season, and authorities also discovered a dead rabbit near where the two men had been standing. wgna
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Turkey vultures — often called turkey buzzards — are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm, kill, or harass them. Beyond the legal protections, the birds serve a vital ecological role as nature's clean-up crew, feeding on carrion and helping prevent the spread of disease.

The story, again reported by "Brother" Lou Roberts for WGNA, is a compact reminder that wildlife laws exist for good reason — and that rural Rensselaer County is apparently never short of unusual news.