Western District Highlights
Fishing Enforcement
On February 25th, 2021 Encon officers received a complaint of “Illegal Fishing” on the Housatonic River following a social media post on Facebook. The posting which headlined, “Great day on the housy… My neighbor Jose’s first time bass fishing” and included a photograph of several deceased fish covered with ice. Complaints continued as social media ‘investigators’ were adamant that the fish were Striped Bass and author of the post was a “Poacher”. Upon inspection of the post it was determined that the author of the post was “trolling” to intentionally entice and upset people on social media. Furthermore, upon inspection of the picture it was identified that the deceased fish were not Striped Bass rather Striped Mullet which is not a regulated game fish.
On February 27th, 2021 at approximately 1900 hours, a Southwest sector officer was conducting Striped Bass enforcement of the Housatonic River in Shelton where they observed four males angling with rod/reel combinations baited with worms. Once the anglers were contacted, it was determined that they all lacked a valid Connecticut fishing license for 2021. Additionally, one of the anglers was found to have an active warrant out of Danbury. Enforcement action was taken on all four anglers for fishing without a license. The angler with the active warrant was transported and turned over to Danbury Police Department.
Park and Forest/Public Safety enforcement
On February 19th, 2021 Officers from the Northwest sector were requested to assist the Wildlife Division with an injured employee. Officers responded to the scene and extracted the biologist through the snow and brought him to a waiting ambulance. The biologist had torn his Achilles tendon approximately ½ mile from the road.
Sick/Nuisance/Injured Wildlife enforcement
On January 31st, 2021 into the early morning hours of February 1st, 2021, Western District officers were dispatched to Newtown for the report of a resident trapped in their home by an angry bobcat. When officers arrived, the bobcat could be heard loudly hissing and growling. The animal was located inside a storage room along the exterior of the home. The homeowner told officers that his dog may have had contact with the bobcat and blood could be seen splattered along the porch steps. When asked if he had direct contact with any saliva, the owner responded that he and his wife cleaned blood out of his dogs’ mouth and washed the animal down with their bare hands. When officers initially attempted to retrieve the animal it immediately lashed out and began attacking any object within range. Officers lured the animal from the storage room into an area with a safe back stop and dispatched the animal. The bobcat was then transported to the Connecticut Health Lab, Rocky Hill for testing, where it subsequently returned a positive result for rabies.
On February 6th, 2021 Officers from the Southwest Sector were dispatched to Waterbury to assist a resident who was trapped in her home by an aggressive raccoon. When officers arrived on scene, the raccoon was observed laying on the front porch of the residence. Upon closer inspection, the raccoon appeared to be in a state of active decay. The animal was writhing with maggots, missing its left eye and its paws were black, engorged, and leaking fluids. When officers attempted to capture the animal, it began to scurry along the porch. Officers were able to remove the animal from the property and safely dispatch it.

















Marine District Highlights
Fishing Enforcement
On February 4th, 2021 officers were checking several ice fishermen on Messerschmit Pond in Westbrook. Upon conducting a compliance check it was determined that each angler had 6 tip-ups each, but one angler failed to have his name and address on his tip-ups and related that he was aware of the regulations. Said angler was issued a written warning for the violation.
On February 11th, 2021 officers were conducting fishing compliance checks on Messerschmit Pond and observed two individuals actively ice fishing. Upon approaching the individuals, the officers detected the distinct order of marijuana and observed 12 empty Busch beer cans. One individual failed to have a 2021 fishing license and was issued a written warning for the violation. The second individual also failed to have a 2021 fishing license and was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Said individual was issued an infraction for fishing w/o a license. Due to the inebriated state of both individuals, they were asked to contact their father to arrange to come pick them up to avoid them operating their motor vehicle.
Park & Forest Enforcement
On February 5th, 2021 officers were patrolling Nehantic State Forest in East Lyme and observed a vehicle operating at a high rate of speed within the forest after sunset. The state forest is closed at sunset. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop and determined that the vehicle’s registration was cancelled. It was also determined that the vehicle did not have insurance and the operator had a suspended driver’s license. The operator was charged with hours of operation at a state forest, driving too fast for conditions, operation of a motor vehicle on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle with no insurance and misuse of plates.








Eastern District Highlights
Parks and Forest/Public Safety Enforcement
On February 2nd, 2021 officers were dispatched to Higgnaum Meadows on a report of several individuals riding ATVs in the park. An officer was able to locate these individuals and found them to be illegally operating their ATVs. Both of these ATVs were unregistered, and the operators were subsequently issued infractions for this violation.
On February 6th, 2021 an officer was on routine patrol in Salmon River State Forest. This officer located tracks going from the paved roadway into one of the trails of the State Park. The officer followed these tracks and located a vehicle that was stuck in the mud/snow. The individual operating this vehicle had previously been cited for illegal dumping in the state forest. There were no indications of any other illegal activity other than using the trails in the park illegally. An infraction was issued to the operator for this violation.
On February 14th, 2021 an officer was on patrol in Salmon River State Forest. The officer saw smoke coming from an area where campfires are routinely lit. The officer found the source of the campfire and confirmed that an individual was illegally tending this fire. This individual was educated on the rules of burning within the State Forest and was issued a written warning for this violation.
Hunting Enforcement
On February 28, 2021 Encon officers along with troopers from the Connecticut State Police responded to a private game preserve in Killingly on a report of a hunter shot unintentionally. As a result of this investigation, it was determined that a couple of hunters hired a guide to hunt on this preserve with the intention of hunting game birds. Before their hunt began, one of the individuals unintentionally discharged a shotgun round that hit another one of the participants. The HRSI (Hunting Related Shootings Investigation) team responded to this location and assisted with the identification and collection of evidence. This case