Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Old Forge
Herkimer County
Snowmobile Training: From Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Forest Rangers Hettenbaugh, Jahn, Hanno, and Allwine attended the New York State Snowmobile Law Enforcement Development School (NYS SLEDS) in Old Forge. The five-day course included instruction in snowmobile operation, Snowmobiling While Intoxicated (SWI) detection, checkpoints, and speed enforcement. Participants were instructed in snowmobile laws and handling on-trail emergencies. Students also completed an extensive Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. Multiple agencies and departments participated in the training, including New York State Police, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and the Onondaga, Warren, and Lewis County Sheriffs’ Departments.

Town of Dresden
Washington County
Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 3 at 7:18 a.m., Washington County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a snowmobile accident near Lapland Pond in Dresden. Forest Rangers Pouton and St. Claire responded. The 38-year-old snowmobiler from Putnam had suffered a broken pelvis. Rangers assisted with first aid, packaged the subject in a rescue toboggan, and pulled him by snowmobile to the trailhead at 11 a.m. The subject was transferred to a Dresden Ambulance and taken to the hospital. Resources were clear at 11:18 a.m.

Rangers conduct snowmobile speed enforcement. DEC photo

Towns of Webb, Florence, and Forestport
Herkimer/Oneida Counties
Snowmobile Enforcement: From Feb. 4-7, Region 6 Forest Rangers conducted several snowmobile enforcement efforts. On Feb. 4, Rangers assisted the Town of Webb Police with an evening enforcement patrol. Rangers focused on safe highway crossings in the town of Forestport and conducted speed enforcement in the town of Florence on Saturday and Sunday. Enforcement efforts yielded six violations for imprudent speed and one violation for failure to stop for a highway crossing. Speeding violations ranged in excess of 18 to 28 miles per hour (MPH) above the 55 MPH speed limit.

Town of Long Lake
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 5 at 2 p.m., Essex County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance for a snowmobile accident on the Moonshine Pond Trail near Mohegan Lake. Forest Rangers Balerno and Milano responded. The 43-year-old snowmobiler from Ohio had lost control, rolled, and crashed into a tree. At 2:50 p.m., Long Lake Fire and EMS reached the subject, provided care, and packaged her in their Trak vehicle and rescue toboggan. The subject was taken by ambulance to a hospital for head and wrist injuries. Ranger Milano helped the rest of the snowmobiling party out of the woods safely. Resources were clear at 3:25 p.m.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.