On the heels of a Thanksgiving hunting fatality in central New York State, comes the second major incident of the 2016 hunting season. While investigating reports of illegal hunting in the area, New York State Conservation Officer James Davey was shot in the pelvic region while making his way across a corn field just outside of Gallatin, about 40 miles southeast of Albany.
The shooter has been identified as 54 year-old Allan Blanchard of Gallatin who has since been charged with assault and is being held on bail in the Dutchess County jail.
New York Environment Commissioner Bassis Segos released a statement indicating that Davey underwent surgery Tuesday night at the Mid-Hudson Hospital in Poughkeepsie, but remains in intensive care for the time being.
Segos also made a point to reference Environmental Conservation Lieutenant Liza Bobseine, who was patrolling with Davey that evening after receiving reports of trespassing and shots fired in the area. Segos went on to say that without Bobseine’s quick thinking, “Davey would not have survived.”
With the unfortunate and reckless incidents the state of New York has experienced this month, state officials have a press conference scheduled for later today. The subject: hunter safety.
