Like it or not, it is usually best for a defendant to "admit nothing, deny everything and demand proof", at least until all appeals are exhausted.
The article states "The maximum jail time for the criminally negligent homicide is three years in jail."
The Wildlife Violators Compact is good in concept but each state has different rules for how it is applied. In NY, he would remain eligible to buy a fishing or trapping license, and could be suspended/revoked from buying a hunting license for a maximum of 10 years.