N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0105

§ 11-0105. State ownership and control.\n The State of New York owns all fish, game, wildlife, shellfish,\ncrustacea and protected insects in the state, except those legally\nacquired and held in private ownership. Any person who kills, takes or\npossesses such fish, game, wildlife, shellfish, crustacea or protected\ninsects thereby consents that title thereto shall remain in the state\nfor the purpose of regulating and controlling their use and disposition.\n