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NY DEC Urges New Yorkers Not To Disturb Fawns a...

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DEC Urges New Yorkers Not To Disturb Fawns and Other Young Wildlife

New Yorkers should keep their distance and not to disturb newborn fawns or other young wildlife as many animals are in the peak season for giving birth, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today cautioned.

It is not unusual to see a young bird crouched in the yard or a young rabbit in the flower garden, both apparently abandoned.  Finding a fawn deer lying by itself is also fairly common.  Many people assume that young wildlife found alone are helpless and need assistance for their survival, however, in nearly all cases this is a mistake and typically human interaction does more damage than good.  Those that see a fawn or other newborn wildlife should enjoy their encounter but keep it brief, maintain some distance and do not attempt to touch the animal.

Young wildlife quickly venture into the world on shaky legs or fragile wings. While most are learning survival from one or both parents, some normally receive little or no care. Often, wild animal parents stay away from their young when people are near. For all of these young animals, the perils of survival are a natural part of life in the wild.

White-tailed deer fawns present a good example of how human intervention with young wildlife can be problematic.  Most fawns are born during late May and the first half of June. While fawns are able to walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still.  During this period a fawn is also usually left alone by the adult female (doe) except when nursing.  People occasionally find a lone fawn and mistakenly assume it has been orphaned or abandoned, which is very rare.  Fawns should never be picked up.  If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse.

A fawn’s best chance to survive is by being raised by the adult doe. Fawns nurse three to four times a day, usually for less than 30 minutes at a time, but otherwise the doe keeps her distance. This helps reduce the chance that she will attract a predator to the fawn. The fawn’s protective coloration and ability to remain motionless all help it avoid detection by predators and people.   

By the end of its second week, a fawn begins to move about more and spend more time with the doe. It also begins to eat grass and leaves. At about ten weeks of age, fawns are no longer dependent on milk, although they continue to nurse occasionally into the fall. During August, all deer begin to grow their winter coat and fawns lose their spots during this process.

Should you find a fawn or other young wildlife,...

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New York 2013 spring turkey season opens May 1

This is a reminder that the 2013 spring turkey season opens May 1 in all of upstate New York lying north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary.

Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2013:

• Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island.
• Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their small game hunting or sportsman license.
• Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
• Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day.
• Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow and arrow.
• Successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested.
• Successful hunters must report their harvest within seven days of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at http://www.dec.ny.go...tdoor/8316.html.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2012-13 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the "Turkey Hunting" pages of the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.go...tdoor/8366.html. An analysis of the 2012 spring turkey take, including a county-by-county breakdown, can be found on the DEC website athttp://www.dec.ny.go...door/30420.h...

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2013 HuntingNY.com I Have Cabin Fever Contest

2013 HuntingNY.com I Have Cabin Fever Contest - Win a Trail Camera, $50 HNY Store Credit, RealBullet Opener and Pen!

1st place: Bushnell 8 MP Trophy Cam Trail Camera
2nd place: $50 Credit for the HuntingNY.com store for HNY apparel.
3rd place: RealBullet.com 50 Caliber Pen, and 50 Caliber Bottle Opener

Geno’s Cabin Fever thread got me checking my tail camera photos and thinking about throwing up a quick contest pretty much anyone can enter. The 2013 Deer season is coming up fast, it will be here sooner than you think.  What is better than a brand spanking new Trail Camera to get out in the woods to get you in the mood along with some other great items.

Rules:  Post a reply on this thread below. ONE post per person. The post must include a picture of a deer you have either shot / harvested with a short blurb of the story behind it AND / OR a trail camera picture of a deer you saw, missed, wanted in the last few years with a short blurb of the story behind it.  As far as the short story, it can be a simple two sentence thing, or feel free to go into detail.

Can’t get any simpler than that.  Entries will be accepted up until Friday May 31st, 2013 at 11:59 ET.  The contest list will then be posted with all contestants along with a unique number assigned to each contestant. The winner will be picked LIVE via live stream (and recorded) during the first week in June, the numbers will be picked via a random number generator. (Thanks jessie.james for the idea) Every single member (and new member) is eligible (except me) as long as you follow the rules above and get that post in by the deadline!

For full prize details and contest information please click the link below:

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NYSDEC 2013 Recreational Fishing Rules

After longer-than-normal consideration of state proposals, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has approved management measures for the 2013 saltwater recreational fishing season.  

New York's new rules for fluke, porgy and black sea bass are as follows:

• Fluke:  19-inch minimum size, 4-fish possession limit, open season May 1 through September 29

• Porgy:  10-inch minimum size, 30-fish possession limit, open season May 1 through December 31 (Anglers aboard licensed party or charter vessels may possess up to 45 fish during September and October)

• Black sea bass:  13-inch minimum size, 8-fish possession limit, open season July 10 through December 31

The black sea bass rules represent a required 24% reduction from last year.


Please read our press release for more details:  http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/90442.html

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2012 Deer Harvest Results - 243,000 deer for 2012

Hunters took approximately 243,000 deer (124,000 antlerless deer and 119,000 adult bucks) during the 2012-13 hunting seasons, about 6 percent more than were taken the previous year. Increases were most pronounced in the Northern Zone where total take (30,840) increased 15 percent from 2011. In the Southern Zone, the adult buck take (about 98,570) increased 6 percent and the antlerless take (110,900) increased 5 percent from 2011. The 2012 harvest reflects deer populations that are greater than desired levels in many parts of New York.

Increased take of antlerless deer will be necessary in 2013.

Full PDF Report (Click Here)

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