DEC Forest Ranger Sarah Bode cited two rock climbers April 11 for climbing on routes at Poke O Moonshine that are temporarily closed to protect peregrine falcon nesting sites.
Bode issued tickets for Failure to Obey a DEC sign, returnable in the Town of Keeseville. The tickets were written to a 31-year-old man from Bernardsville, New Jersey, and a 32-year-old woman from New York City.
DEC wildlife staff closes certain cliffs and climbing routes to allow peregrine falcons to breed, select a nesting site, and encourage the birds to return to their nesting sites. Once nesting has begun, DEC wildlife staff work with Forest Rangers and other DEC programs in notifying the climbing community and public of these closures and may open climbing routes that can be used without disturbing the nesting falcons and their young. After the young falcons have fledged, climbing routes are reopened.
According to a press release sent by DEC, Forest Rangers last issued tickets to climbers for climbing on the closed routes in the early 2000s. More information about rock climbing closures can be found here.
Photo of view of Poke O Moonshine provided by DEC.
I can only hope the fines are substantial.