Jump to content

NY DEC: 2013 Deer Harvest Results are In


burmjohn
 Share

Hunters harvested approximately 243,550 deer during the 2013-14 hunting seasons, nearly equivalent to the statewide take last year, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

“Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative offers many hunting opportunities statewide for sportsmen and sportswomen for the growing population of deer,” said Commission Martens. “Throughout the state, hunters play an essential role by helping to maintain healthy and ecologically sound deer populations.”

The 2013 deer take included approximately 128,850 antlerless deer (adult females and fawns) and about 114,700 adult bucks (1.5 years or older), both estimates being within 4 percent of the 2012 take (see table below). Hunters in the Northern Zone walked out of the woods with roughly 32,300 deer, including 19,500 adult bucks. In the Southern Zone, excluding Long Island, hunters took 208,300 deer, including about 94,200 adult bucks. To compare these harvest estimates with other past seasons, go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.

This year marked New York’s second Youth Deer Hunt, held over Columbus Day Weekend. During the Youth Deer Hunt, 14 and 15-year-old junior hunters could take one deer, antlered or antlerless, with a firearm when properly accompanied by a licensed and experienced adult mentor. An estimated 8,860 junior hunters participated in the Youth Deer Hunt, resulting in 1,275 deer taken (728 adult bucks and 547 antlerless deer). A photo gallery showcasing successful junior hunters is atwww.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/85926.html.

More Antlerless Deer Need to be Taken

This year’s harvest shows a continuing trend of concern to DEC deer managers. In many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), including portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains region of western New York, harvest trends indicate that deer populations are too high - above levels recommended by local stakeholder groups who live, hunt or manage land in those areas. Even with very liberal opportunities for take of antlerless deer, not enough females are being taken to reduce populations to desired levels. In these areas, DEC and hunters must begin considering new ways to the increase antlerless deer take to achieve deer populations that are compatible with ecosystem health and consistent with the public’s interests.

Older Bucks Becoming a Larger Portion of Adult Buck Harvests

Hunters took a record number of bucks (approximately 55,300) aged 2.5 years or older in 2013. These older bucks, which many hunters desire, accounted for 48 percent of harvested adult bucks statewide in 2013, compared to only 33 percent (45,350) in 2000 when New York’s deer population peaked, and only 28 percent (about 33,000) in the early 1990s. In part, this is influenced by the overall size of the deer population, which in much of the state is larger than desired. Although mandatory antler restrictions in 11 WMUs in southeastern New York are a contributing factor, many New York hunters outside those areas are voluntarily choosing not to take young bucks, thereby letting these bucks get another year or two older before they are taken.

Deer harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful hunters, and DEC staff’s examination of nearly 16,200 harvested deer at check stations and meat processors. Statewide harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources. Much additional information about the 2013-14 deer harvests, including charts and maps describing the harvest, is available on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.

Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, and improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State.

In support of this initiative, this year's budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.

This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders.

View attachment: 2013deerl.png

 Share


User Feedback

Recommended Comments



Possibly, but that type of an EAB program would do more harm than good IMO. They should get rid of the either sex tag and go to a one buck per season rule. They also need to get rid of that either sex tag because the doe can be taken anywhere in the state. Hand out DMPs only based on the need to take antlerless in each WMU. Between that and the new crossbow inclusion and setback changes, I bet we would see the numbers trend toward where they want them to be. Well, maybe not everywhere, but in some places.

I agree with dmps and dmaps only for antler-less harvest no either sex or antler-less tags.

I totally disagree about EAB...it's working in Central/Southern NJ first 2 weeks of archery.

Encourages bow hunters to harvest breeders early prior to all kinds of pressure.

Does not require check station so it's basically voluntary in the enforcement sense.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Meat Manager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ehh. Sans downstate that's not going to happen. I support your stance on a hunters responsibility, but disagree with it. I hunt how I hunt because I want to hunt that way. The same argument you all make for crossbows and against ARs. I'll shoot what I want as well. Put down and alienate the horn hunters and you'll find the industry that falls off the cliff.

I'm not necessarily against mandatory AR (prefer voluntary), and I'm not talking about manner of taking (nice attempted thread jack on page 2).

The topic is the DECs deer take press release and numbers and THEIR emphasis on a hunters responsibility of population management (as well as the implication of state intervention in this respect).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Meat Manager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with dmps and dmaps only for antler-less harvest no either sex or antler-less tags. I totally disagree about EAB...it's working in Central/Southern NJ first 2 weeks of archery. Encourages bow hunters to harvest breeders early prior to all kinds of pressure. Does not require check station so it's basically voluntary in the enforcement sense. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Im not saying an EAB program where you have to shoot a doe before you can take your buck wouldnt be a good idea, but I think that a program where you would earn multiple buck tags each season would be a horrible idea. Like I said, Id like to see NY go to a one buck per season system. I really think it would make alot of hunters become more choosy about what they shoot.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im not saying an EAB program where you have to shoot a doe before you can take your buck wouldnt be a good idea, but I think that a program where you would earn multiple buck tags each season would be a horrible idea. Like I said, Id like to see NY go to a one buck per season system. I really think it would make alot of hunters become more choosy about what they shoot.

I agree 100% with that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Meat Manager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

DEC numbers must be way off.. my town take was 199 deer. We took 18 deer just off my property..or 10% of town take?? buck take for my town was 100. we had 8 off just my property.... the managenment area had a take of 3.1 bucks per square mile. on a 1/4 square we took 8... if i include the neighbors north and south of me the take would be 13 buck per square mile (640 acres) Obiously their numbers are lacking ..tough to manage something if you dont have actual munbers to deal with... Perhaps mandatory checkin stations ??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know. And that's why I shot a big fat doe last year... that and I needed the meat :) just going on an early morning rant on how we can be hypocritical about letting a hunter hunt how he wants sometimes.

For population control you are probably better off shooting two average does than one big one.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why would you want to go to a 1 buck per-season rule its counter productive and with only 5% of hunters killing 2 bucks in a season it doesn’t have any effect on deer populations. I have not killed 2 bucks in a season since 2004.
Here’s what would of happen if I didn’t have a 2nd buck tag the camp I hunt out of is in 9p I didn’t get a dmp I killed a buck during bow a nice 8pt. Without the 2nd buck tag I would not go to camp and if I don’t my 2 sons don’t go. I’m not going to go there and not hunt. I did not fill the tag even though I could of I would of if the deer was bigger than the 1 I shot during bow

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why would you want to go to a 1 buck per-season rule its counter productive and with only 5% of hunters killing 2 bucks in a season it doesn’t have any effect on deer populations. I have not killed 2 bucks in a season since 2004.

Here’s what would of happen if I didn’t have a 2nd buck tag the camp I hunt out of is in 9p I didn’t get a dmp I killed a buck during bow a nice 8pt. Without the 2nd buck tag I would not go to camp and if I don’t my 2 sons don’t go. I’m not going to go there and not hunt. I did not fill the tag even though I could of I would of if the deer was bigger than the 1 I shot during bow

That's a good point I had not thought of before.

My main concern is emphasizing the importance of filling the doe tags you have.

I do feel like 2 bucks per season promotes a culture of buck only hunting...I would agree that it is a separate issue from population management.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Meat Manager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why would you want to go to a 1 buck per-season rule its counter productive and with only 5% of hunters killing 2 bucks in a season it doesn’t have any effect on deer populations. I have not killed 2 bucks in a season since 2004.

Here’s what would of happen if I didn’t have a 2nd buck tag the camp I hunt out of is in 9p I didn’t get a dmp I killed a buck during bow a nice 8pt. Without the 2nd buck tag I would not go to camp and if I don’t my 2 sons don’t go. I’m not going to go there and not hunt. I did not fill the tag even though I could of I would of if the deer was bigger than the 1 I shot during bow

 

I believe it would make people more choosy with the bucks they shoot. I personally know guys that knock down the first buck they see, doesnt matter what age, so that they have something in the freezer, then they trophy hunt with the second tag. If they know they only have one buck tag, many of them would choose to wait for a more mature deer. I also think it would be supported by more hunters than mandatory statewide ARs would. Has nothing to do with population control, you are ONLY going to control that through the antlerless take anyway. Actually, it has a little to do with population control, because it may entice more guys to fill a doe tag because they havent had a chance at a mature buck.

 

Now, by getting rid of the statewide either sex tag, you would open up allocation of DMPs in areas that currently dont have any, or currently have very few. Remember, when they figure out how many doe tags to hand out for each WMU, they have to take that either sex tag into consideration. It makes the tough job of managing the herd on very large tracts of land, even more difficult. So in your case, you may have a better chance at getting a DMP for your camp than you do now, so you wouldnt have to go there and not hunt.

 

Honestly, dont ask me what I think of your statement that you wouldnt take your sons to camp unless you have a tag to use yourself, thats a whole other topic.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with dmps and dmaps only for antler-less harvest no either sex or antler-less tags. I totally disagree about EAB...it's working in Central/Southern NJ first 2 weeks of archery. Encourages bow hunters to harvest breeders early prior to all kinds of pressure. Does not require check station so it's basically voluntary in the enforcement sense. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

EAB is the worst idea ever.

 

Wisconsin went to it with CWD...talk about a crapstorm.

 

Button buck take typically goes up in EAB. That first non-antlered deer gets whacked, regardless. And, I don't blame hunters for doing so with such a stupid rule.

 

Also, people report false harvests in big numbers to get the buck tag.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You drop them , I will take them. Never too much sausage.

 

 

I've donated in the past and provided for a couple elderly people who are on the "no red meat" order from docs. They've all went up to greener pastures since and donating has become a pain now. By the time I add my gas to and from the nearest donation place, the cost of an arrow/BH, and my time - I've slanted toward it not being worth it. It's a $50-60 proposition for me to just shoot the doe and drop it off now - not including any tax-write off charges. I'm sure I could move on to Montecs and cheaper arrows, but I've just not had the desire to go on a doe-fest.

 

I took two does this year. I believe I did my part as compared to the grand scheme of things. No need for me to take 7 (DMP, Bonus DMP, consignment, and the statewide) like I used to each bow season.

 

I actually believe me and a buddy had an impact on a micro scale on his property. It was plentiful in does and good bucks. This year had the worst hunting ever - and coincedentally, the fewest and smartest does on that parcel. The doe numbers were much lower and the ones alive were looking up much more often - something that they had not done in the past. I slammed does there. Between my and my buddy, we took out around 25 does in 4 seasons on that 25 acre parcel. Rut hunting there was horrible when in years past it was solid because of the location between two doe bedding areas. Won't be shooting any does there this year unless it looks much better.

 

The only does I seem to target now are the ones that tick me off and teach the others in their group.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OBR is the way to go in my mind.

 

The 5% rule about two buck tags being filled has little to do with the overall #s, but as noted, the ability to be less picky when taking buck 1 slants harvest age down.

 

There's no science on it, obviously since it is a what if, but I feel comfortable saying I believe hunters would have passed on a large % of the bucks they took if they had one buck tag to burn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe it would make people more choosy with the bucks they shoot. I personally know guys that knock down the first buck they see, doesnt matter what age, so that they have something in the freezer, then they trophy hunt with the second tag. If they know they only have one buck tag, many of them would choose to wait for a more mature deer. I also think it would be supported by more hunters than mandatory statewide ARs would. Has nothing to do with population control, you are ONLY going to control that through the antlerless take anyway. Actually, it has a little to do with population control, because it may entice more guys to fill a doe tag because they havent had a chance at a mature buck.

 

Now, by getting rid of the statewide either sex tag, you would open up allocation of DMPs in areas that currently dont have any, or currently have very few. Remember, when they figure out how many doe tags to hand out for each WMU, they have to take that either sex tag into consideration. It makes the tough job of managing the herd on very large tracts of land, even more difficult. So in your case, you may have a better chance at getting a DMP for your camp than you do now, so you wouldnt have to go there and not hunt.

 

Honestly, dont ask me what I think of your statement that you wouldnt take your sons to camp unless you have a tag to use yourself, thats a whole other topic.

This addresses perhaps the worst statement in this entire thread. What a crock.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Phade, you dont reuse your arrows? I have one thats been through 4 or 5 deer so far and its still my go to arrow. I put a dot on the fletching with a sharpie for each deer it gets.

I do - but I have about a "high to me" break rate. I went 3 seasons without a break, but then broke every arrow  (either breaks or stress fractures) 2 seasons in a row. I went through several hundred dollars in arrow/bhs to kill does I donated. At that point it became fiscally irresponsible for me to do that.

 

I don't like to change arrows often - it's actually why I buy several dozen of one I like so I can have them to use for years to come since manufacturers now seem to switch models every other year on the regular. I don't shoot ultra premium arrows, but I'm usually shooting some form of mid/high-end Easton or Beman.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

EAB is the worst idea ever.

I imagine you saying that in valley girl style..."worst idea ever, gag me with a spoon."

The button aspect is a legit concern with EAB in terms of buck age management, but what is "up," and what were the results in pop reduction?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Meat Manager
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do - but I have about a "high to me" break rate. I went 3 seasons without a break, but then broke every arrow (either breaks or stress fractures) 2 seasons in a row. I went through several hundred dollars in arrow/bhs to kill does I donated. At that point it became fiscally irresponsible for me to do that.

I don't like to change arrows often - it's actually why I buy several dozen of one I like so I can have them to use for years to come since manufacturers now seem to switch models every other year on the regular. I don't shoot ultra premium arrows, but I'm usually shooting some form of mid/high-end Easton or Beman.

Have you shot full metal jackets?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For population control you are probably better off shooting two average does than one big one.

 

understand. but when you don't butcher your own deer it can get expensive. In 7J we do butcher our own, but in 8F we're not setup for it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a good point I had not thought of before. My main concern is emphasizing the importance of filling the doe tags you have. I do feel like 2 bucks per season promotes a culture of buck only hunting...I would agree that it is a separate issue from population management. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I still want to know why I can't kill 2 bucks in a season or only hunt bucks. It's legal so let me do it right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Earn a buck would only work in suburban areas under special regulation. nys has 650,000 hunters... if people couldnt shoot a buck the loss of income would be to great. a loot of people just wont shoot a doe..period. dont compare nys to iowa,kansas,missouri,or ohio, whe have 4 or 5x the numbers of hunters they do. and hunter satisfaction is taken into account. manage your own property for what you want. i know i need to take 10 doe a year off my place to keep population level. if my neighbors take more i would take less... i know my resident bucks and try to take bucks in the top 1-5 of them. wanderers are fair game. the guys know the rules and we consistantly average 18-20 deer a year from just under 300 acres. the dec trys to manage large areas and it cannot be effectivly done unless its all state land.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too am in favor of a one buck program, but then I think about my season this year. The first deer I saw was a 2.5yr 8. Just happened to be that way. Knowing I might not get a chance a bigger buck on the cams might have made me pass on him. Throughout the rest of the year I saw nice deer, but never one bigger so I'm glad i took him... or I could have eaten tag soup. Which I know some of you will say is just fine, and that's been my dad the last few years. I'm just not sure I like it. Like phade, the cost of a broadhead and the difficult terrain we hunt and work involved with dragging out a doe can make one think twice about shooting a flathead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites




Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...