Greene County's Palmateer earns promotion to lieutenant

It’s that time of year once again. With fall hunting season in full swing, you might be  wondering why you haven’t been checked by local state Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Lucas Palmateer lately.  ECO Palmateer has left us but for the best of reasons.

Over the summer, he became Lieutenant Palmateer. He now reports to Division of Law Enforcement headquarters in Albany where he is actively working to support ECOs statewide in a variety of innovative procedures. Lt. Palmateer brings his breadth of experience and expertise as a top field officer to better assist the decision-making process affecting the daily work of officers across the state.

A native of Greene County, he began his career as an ECO as many do―in New York City. He then spent three years in Ulster County before transferring to Greene County in 2020. Returning home, Palmateer served the next six years as our local Greene County ECO.

While officer Lucas tackled all manner of fish, wildlife, and environmental enforcement matters in the county, he had a particular knack and interest in making quality arrests of those engaged in poaching big game. One case of note involved the jacking (shooting deer at night with a light) of 22 deer. The investigation began one night in October of 2022, when he and fellow ECO Jason Smith, were working jackers in Earlton. A vehicle shined a light with a high-powered beam to temporarily blind the deer making for an easy rifle shot when they were apprehended by the ECOs. After the execution of a search warrant, the case established that over a period of time, 22 deer were taken illegally at night. Three area men plead guilty, paid steep fines, and lost their hunting privileges.

ECO Palmateer was both patient and diligent in his pursuit of bear baiters and deer poachers. When a doe was shot with a home just feet behind it, offenders were brought to justice when they returned to the scene of the crime over one year later. His efforts did not go unnoticed. Earlier this fall, Lt. Lucas Palmateer was awarded the prestigious Shikar-Safari Club International’s “2025 Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year.” That honor is bestowed upon an ECO whose career demonstrates outstanding performance, conservation, leadership, and law enforcement excellence in the protection of wildlife. The Shikar-Safari Award remains among the most coveted honors for ECOs nationwide.

Please join me in congratulating Lt. Lucas Palmateer upon his well-deserved promotion and recognition as an outstanding conservation officer.

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!  

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News and Notes

Earlton Fish & Game Club Opening Day Breakfast

The Earlton Fish & Game Club is holding its annual Opening Day Hunters Breakfast on Saturday, November 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brian and Carol McNulty want to let everyone know you don’t have to be a hunter to participate. They invite all to attend the cook-to-order breakfast at the clubhouse at 56 Potic Creek Road in Earlton. This is a free-will offering event with all donations appreciated by the Earlton Fish & Game Club. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and more. There will be raffles available.

Remember to report poaching violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

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A resident of Durham, Larry is a retired captain with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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