I apologize to those that had placed an order for shirts/hats on the website, I've refunded all the orders and to make up for the screw up I'll be shipping them out regardless shortly.

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the https://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

The 2019 "Live From the Woods" thread is up and ready for live action from the woods, 9th year in a row! Post your sightings, stories and pictures -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/50085-live-from-the-woods-2019-lets-hear-stories-and-see-some-pictures/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted, check them out -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Be sure to also check out the 2019  Archery Harvest Thread -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/52574-2019-huntingny-bowarchery-harvest-thread/

And of course check out the main Bow Hunting -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/ and  Deer Hunting forum here - > https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/

Hot Topics!

Whats for Dinner Tonight! - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/23281-whats-for-dinner-tonight/
2019 Lawn Thread (not hunting relating) Lawn Care Nuts - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/50924-2019-lawn-thread
Shed Hunting 2019 - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/49511-shed-hunting-2019/
2019 Rut Discussions - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/52728-2019-rut-observations-and-activity/
Pre Hunting Season Trail Camera Pictures - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/51346-preseason-trail-cam-pics/
Goy My First Bear! - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/52629-got-my-first-bear/
Lets See Those Killer Bows  - https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/52408-lets-see-those-killer-bows/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 781457 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: https://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page. 

If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here: https://huntingny.com/forums/contact/

Thank you

Be safe, have fun, and good luck this 2019 season! 

HuntingNY.com/forums/

To Unsubscribe please follow this link: https://huntingny.com/sendy/unsubscribe-success.php?c=9

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the http://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

The 2018 "Live From the Woods" thread is up and ready for live action from the woods, 9th year in a row! Post your sightings, stories and pictures -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47908-live-from-the-woods-2018-lets-hear-stories-and-see-some-pictures/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted, check them out -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Be sure to also check out the 2018 Archery Harvest Thread -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47911-2018-huntingny-bowarchery-harvest-thread/

And of course check out the main Deer Hunting forum here - > https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/
 

Hot Topics!

What time are you going in the woods tomorrow? -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/49033-what-time-you-getting-up-for-opening-day-tomorrow/
Whats for dinner tonight, game recipies -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/23281-whats-for-dinner-tonight/
Hunter Harassment - Have you ever been harassed? ->  https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47493-hunter-harassment/
Which hunting weapon and seach do you like the best? -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47874-which-hunting-weapon-and-season-do-you-like-the-best/
Weather for opening day? -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/48886-weather-for-opening-day-stier-gun-2018/
DMP / Doe Tag Swap -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47909-dmp-tag-exchange-swap-donate/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page. 

The site was down for a day due to our server having some hardware issues, we have restored it to a new server while the old one is being fixed.  During the restore process we also upgraded the forum software. There may be some issues here and there on the site but we are working to fix them, please let us know if you notice anything acting up.

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the https://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

The 2018 "Live From the Woods" thread is up and ready for live action from the woods, 9th year in a row! Post your sightings, stories and pictures -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47908-live-from-the-woods-2018-lets-hear-stories-and-see-some-pictures/

2018 HuntingNY Whitetail Classic - You can sign up for the contest by replying to this thread, sign up is active NOW and will end at Midnight on September 28, 2018 at which time this thread will automatically lock. In the contest section, each hunter will get their own thread, in which entries should be posted. Contest entries must be submitted by Midnight on January 2, 2019 (Sorry, seasons that run into 2019 are not included in this contest). https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47098-2018-huntingny-whitetail-classic/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted, check them out -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Be sure to also check out the 2018 Archery Harvest Thread -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47911-2018-huntingny-bowarchery-harvest-thread/

And of course check out the main Bow Hunting -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/ and  Deer Hunting forum here - > https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/

Hot Topics!

The Shot That Counts -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47369-the-shot-that-counts-2018/
Whats for dinner tonight, game recipies -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/23281-whats-for-dinner-tonight/
Hunter Harassment - Have you ever been harassed? ->  https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47493-hunter-harassment/
Which hunting weapon and seach do you like the best? -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47874-which-hunting-weapon-and-season-do-you-like-the-best/
Most wanted bucks for 2018, some great pictures here! -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/46959-most-wanted-for-2018/
DMP / Doe Tag Swap -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/47909-dmp-tag-exchange-swap-donate/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 685376 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: https://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page. 

If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here: https://huntingny.com/forums/contact/

Thank you

Be safe, have fun, and good luck this 2018 season! 

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the https://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

The 2017 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up with quite a few posts already for the 2017 season of live action from the woods, 8th year in a row! -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/40154-live-from-the-woods-2017-edition/

I just added a new topic, What did you do to prepare for the 2017 Season and what are your Hunting tradtions? This is always fun, please go ahead and post here: https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/40214-what-did-you-do-to-prepare-for-the-2017-season-and-what-traditions/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted, check them out -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Be sure to also check out the 2017 Archery Harvest Thread -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/40137-2017-huntingny-archery-harvest-thread/ - lots of great deer taken this year already during archery. 

And of course check out the main Bow Hunting -> https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/ and  Deer Hunting forum here - > https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/

Hot Topics!

Buying Deer Bait - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/40195-buying-deer-bait/
Whats for dinner tonight, game recipies -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/23281-whats-for-dinner-tonight/
2017 DMP Swap Thread - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/39343-2017-dmp-swap-thread/
Shoot or Pass - Trophy Hunting -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/40074-shoot-or-pass-trophy-hunting-age/
Just one more treestand, how many stands do you have? - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/39197-just-one-moretreestand/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 592377 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: https://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page. 

If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here: https://huntingny.com/forums/contact/

Thank you

Be safe, have fun, and good luck this 2017 season! 

The 2016 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up with thousands of posts already from the 2016 season of live action from the woods, 7th year in a row! -> https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/34783-live-from-the-woods-2016-edition-7th-year-lets-make-this-happen/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few weeks -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Be sure to also check out the 2016 HuntingNY Archery Harvest thread - lots of great deer taken this year already during archery. 

And of course check out the main Deer Hunting forum here - > https://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/

Hot Topics!

Southern Zone Rut Status & Updates - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/35818-rut-status-southern-zone/

Loading a deer into your car/truck - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/36178-something-practical-loading-a-deer/

Your Opening Day Spot - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/36172-your-opening-day-spot/

Does Anyone Miss A Monday Deer Opener? - > https://huntingny.com/forums/topic/36163-does-anyone-miss-the-monday-opener/

Thank you

Be safe, have fun, and good luck this 2016 season! 

Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Provide Diverse Opportunities across the State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today unveiled new regulations concerning deer and bear hunting, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. 

These regulations increase opportunities for junior hunters to take bears, rescind an antlerless-only rule from 2015 in portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains, reduce antlerless harvests in two management units in the western Adirondacks, and clarify when special season tags may be used by bow and muzzleloader hunters.

“We rely on hunters to help us meet our science-based population management goals, and these new regulations will help us explore alternative season structures that will advance improved population management,” said Commissioner Seggos. “The youth hunt has been very popular with families across the state, and we’re pleased to offer this expanded opportunity for junior hunters.”

The new bear hunting regulation now includes the taking of bears in the youth firearms hunt over Columbus Day weekend that was previously a deer-only event.

The 2015 regulation that prohibited harvest of antlered deer during portions of the bow and muzzleloader seasons in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1C, 3M, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8N, 9A, and 9F has been rescinded, allowing the take of both antlered and antlerless deer during the entire bow and muzzleloader seasons in these units.

In these WMUs, deer populations are above desired levels, and the antlerless-only rule was implemented in 2015 as part of a multi-phase process to increase antlerless harvest. However, reported harvest of female deer did not differ substantially between the WMUs with the antlerless-only periods and nearby WMUs without the rule, nor did the antlerless-only periods increase reported female take as desired.

In contrast, deer populations in WMUs 6F and 6J have been declining, so harvest of antlerless deer is now prohibited during the early muzzleloader season in these units.  Winter weather conditions are a primary driver of deer abundance in the northern part of the state, and the winters of 2013 and 2014 were especially harsh. Coupled with mild conditions this past winter, reducing the harvest of antlerless deer should prevent further population decline and stimulate growth. The DEC expects this change to be temporary. 

The final regulatory change is simply a technical correction to clarify that hunters who purchase both the bow and muzzleloader license privileges may use the Bow/Muzzleloader either-sex and Bow/Muzzleloader antlerless-only deer tags in either season or both in one of the seasons with the appropriate implement. This has always been DEC's intent, but ambiguity in the previous wording of the regulation could have led to confusion. Hunters who purchase just one of the special season privileges are still only allowed to use the Bow/Muzzleloader tag during that particular special season.

Under the 2016-17 budget, Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative provides $3 million for State land access projects and $4 million for hunting and fishing infrastructure. The 2015-16 budget also created a new capital account, which, along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds, will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat and will improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. This year’s commitment builds on the previous $6 million in funding for 50 new projects to provide access to approximately 380,000 acres of existing State lands for recreation, including boat launches, bird-watching areas, trails and hunting blinds, and $8 million for upgrades and improvements to fish hatcheries statewide. 

“Hunting, trapping and fishing opportunities in New York have never been better and are an essential economic driver for communities across the state,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Governor Cuomo’s continued commitments to the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative are bolstering our efforts to provide world class hunting and fishing opportunities statewide.  DEC is committed to enhancing our science based management programs to provide for abundant opportunities for our sportsmen and sportswomen to go afield during the upcoming hunting and trapping seasons.”

Under the 2016-17 budget, Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative provides $3 million for State land access projects and $4 million for hunting and fishing infrastructure. The 2015-16 budget also created a new capital account, leveraging federal funds to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats – an initiative that will improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

Outdoor recreation and sporting activities continue to generate significant economic revenue across the state. According to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, sportsmen and women spent $4.95 billion on hunting and fishing in New York in 2011 and support more than 56,000 jobs across the state. In addition, spending by hunters and anglers generated $623 million in state and local taxes in 2011. Revenues from the sale of all sporting licenses provide direct support to the state’s efforts to protect, preserve and enhance wildlife species and the habitats they depend on. 

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits will be available at all license-issuing outlets or by phone, internet or mail through October 1, 2016. Deer Management Permits, which are used to ensure proper management of the deer herd, are issued through a random selection process at the point of sale. Customers who are selected will receive their permits immediately. The chances of obtaining a Deer Management Permits remain the same throughout the application period - hunters do not need to rush to apply for a Deer Management Permit on the first day of sale. The 2016 chances of selection for a Deer Management Permit in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through License Issuing Agents, or the Deer Management Permits Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on the program is available here.

The new Hunting & Trapping Regulations guide, which provides an easy to read compendium of all pertinent rules and regulations, will be available in August at all license issuing outlets and on the DEC website along with a list of license-issuing agents. You can also find that list at our online License Center or by contacting the DEC Call Center at 1-866-933-2257.

Expanded Call Center Hours

Starting August 1, the DEC Call Center will be accessible from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through October 1, 2016. Regular call center weekday hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) will resume on October 2. 

Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license:

• Complete name and address information
• DEC customer ID number (if applicable)
• Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license or non-driver’s ID with a valid NYS address)
• and, if purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.

If not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases.

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the http://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

The 2015 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up and ready for posting live action from the woods, 6th year in a row! -> http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29242-live-from-the-woods-2015-edition-sixth-year-going-strong/

Also make sure you check out the 2015 Gun Harvest thread, post a picture and story (long or short) about it here: http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29193-2015-huntingny-gun-harvest-thread/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few weeks -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

The 2015 Rut Report, What are you seeing? http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29698-2015-rut-report/

We just posted up a topic right before bow season, which is still relevant now, http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29243-what-have-you-done-this-year-to-prepare-for-the-2015-season/ - What have you done this year to prepare for the 2015 season. Jump on and let us know!

There are a ton of new threads to read over in the Deer Hunting and Gun / Rifle Hunting section to get you ready for the season opener, http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/11-deer-hunting/ and http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/15-rifle-and-gun-hunting/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 232,478 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.

HOT Topics:

What are you using opening day for your gun / scope combo? http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/30045-what-are-you-using-opening-day-sz/

The weather from last year kept hunters inside, did this lead to bigger bucks in WNY for this year? http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/30263-maybe/

Crazy hunting tactic that has worked (or almost worked)? http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/30259-crazy-hunting-tactic-that-has-worked-or-almost-worked/

LIVE from the woods 2015 Edition! - I know I mentioned this above, but man this this thread has over 3,150 replies already! Seriously check it out. http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29242-live-from-the-woods-2015-edition-sixth-year-going-strong/

Retrieving Deer Question (Permissions / Property Lines) - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29800-retrieving-deer-question/

Other:

Be sure to check out the latest rules and regulations around deer, bear and other hunting regulations for NY here at the NY DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7857.html

If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here:http://huntingny.com/forums/index.php?app=contactus

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the HuntingNY.com site to check out.

The 2015 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up and ready for posting live action from the woods, 6th year in a row! -> http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29242-live-from-the-woods-2015-edition-sixth-year-going-strong/

As always there are some amazing trailcamera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few weeks -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

We just posted up a new topic, http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29243-what-have-you-done-this-year-to-prepare-for-the-2015-season/ - What have you done this year to prepare for the 2015 season. Jump on and let us know!

There are a ton of new threads to read over in the Bow Hunting section to get you ready for the season opener, http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 232,478 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.

HOT Topics:

QDM is ruining deer hunting - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29096-qdm-is-ruining-deer-hunting/

Where to gut your deer - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29119-where-to-gut-your-deer/

What will cause you to drop a dime on another hunter? - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/28971-what-will-cause-you-to-drop-a-dime-on-another-hunter/

Broadheads 2015 - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/28755-broadheads-2015/

Scents..be honest... - http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/29222-scentsbe-honest/

Be sure to check out the latest rules and regulations around deer, bear and other hunting regulations for NY here at the NY DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7857.html

If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here:http://huntingny.com/forums/index.php?app=contactus

Thank you

HuntingNY.com/forums/

Statewide, we are anticipating deer harvests to be slightly lower in 2015 than in 2014, largely due to some deer mortality this past winter and resulting reductions in antlerless permits in parts of the state. The 2014/15 winter was more severe than average, with fairly prolonged periods of deep snow and sub-zero temperature, particularly in the western Catskills and southwestern New York, and was the second rough winter in a row in portions of northern New York. DEC staff observed numerous cases of fawn mortality and fielded many similar reports from the public in these areas during late winter and early spring.

In many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) where winter was particularly harsh and where we would like to stabilize or increase deer populations, we reduced our target allocation of Deer Management Permits (DMPs; antlerless tags) by 20-30% from what was issued in 2014 to counter the impacts of winter deer mortality. However, deer populations in large portions of central New York, the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario Plains and a few units in southeastern New York remain above desired levels, and we intend to issue similar or more DMPs to maintain harvest pressure on antlerless deer in these areas. Thus, on balance, about 3% fewer DMPs will be available statewide in 2015 than were issued in 2014.

New Antlerless Harvest Rules in several WMUs

New this fall, DEC has implemented several changes that affect hunters in parts of the state during the bow and muzzleloader seasons. In WMU 6A, despite no DMPs since 2011, antlerless harvests must be further curtailed to allow the deer population to grow toward desired levels. Because about half of the antlerless harvest in 6A currently occurs during the early muzzleloader season, DEC has adopted a rule to temporarily make the early muzzleloader season in this unit valid for antlered deer only. This change should sufficiently reduce the antlerless harvest to stimulate desired population growth while still allowing the minimal antlerless harvest that occurs during bow season and the late muzzleloader season.

In contrast, in WMUs 1C, 3M, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8N, 9A, and 9F, deer populations are above levels desired by local stakeholders, resulting in unacceptable impacts to residents and local ecosystems. In these units, offering increasing numbers of DMPs each year has no longer been a productive way of increasing antlerless take, yet greater antlerless deer harvests are needed. Harvest report data reveal that only 5.2% of successful hunters in these WMUs reported taking 3 or more deer (including bucks), and only 1.2% of successful hunters reported taking 4 or more deer. Additionally, reported harvests during the early bowhunting season in these WMUs are disproportionately skewed toward antlered bucks compared to other hunting seasons. Thus, DEC recently adopted a rule to redirect hunter effort toward antlerless deer by making the first 15 days of the early bowhunting season and all of the late bowhunting and late muzzleloader season in these units valid only for antlerless deer. Greater cooperation by bowhunters in removing antlerless deer in similar ratios as during other seasons and increased harvest of antlerless deer during the late seasons will benefit the broader public who are affected by negative deer-related impacts.

More information about these changes can be found at New Antlerless Hunting Rules for 2015.

Buck Harvest Management

DEC is also finalizing our analysis of potential buck hunting regulations to determine what approaches, if any, may be most appropriate considering hunter values in various regions of New York. Hunters continue to be much divided in what they value about buck hunting. While many hunters have voiced a desire to reduce harvest of yearling (1.5 year old) bucks to have a greater chance of taking an older buck with larger antlers, many hunters also prefer to have the freedom to choose which buck they harvest and to practice restraint voluntarily. Our process of sorting all this out is described in an article on pages 22-23 of the 2015-16 New York Hunting & Trapping Guideand at the Buck Harvest Management webpage. We anticipate completing the analysis and being ready to provide more information to hunters later this fall. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, many New York hunters have continued an encouraging trend by voluntarily choosing to pass young, small antlered bucks. As a result, the availability and harvest of older, larger antlered bucks has been increasing. It is clear that the choices hunters make matter. To see and take bigger bucks, I suggest hunters consider voluntary antler restrictions.

Help Protect NY Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease

Though we have found no new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in New York deer since 2005, DEC continues to take the threat of CWD very seriously. Hunters should too. CWD is always fatal to deer. If introduced, CWD could spread rapidly and will be practically impossible to eliminate from the wild deer herd once established. Preventing CWD from entering New York is the most effective disease management strategy. Hunters can help protect New York's deer herd from CWD by following these tips:

• Do not use deer urine-based lures or attractant scents.
  
• If you hunt outside of New York, debone or quarter your deer before bringing it back, and follow the law about importing carcasses or carcass parts from outside of New York. See CWD Regulations for Hunters.
  
• Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not just out on the landscape.
  
• Report any deer that appears sick or acting abnormally.
  
• Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles.
  

Checkout the full article here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37304.html

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman today announced that information is now available about the upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons, including season dates and updated regulations.

“New York’s unique configuration of waterfowl management zones provides hunters with open seasons in various parts of the state from September to April,” said Acting Commissioner Gerstman. “This year’s season selections were developed by a team of statewide DEC biologists, with input from waterfowl hunters. DEC has looked to task forces to help select waterfowl hunting season dates for more than a decade and appreciates all the help they have offered to help make these selections.”

The season dates and regulations can be viewed in full detail on the DEC website at 1-800-852-4897, or at 1-888-427-5447 (1-888-4 ASK HIP) or visit www.NY-HIP.com.

Hunting Safety:

Acting Commissioner Gerstman reminded hunters to follow simple safety guidelines and to use good judgment when choosing a time and place to hunt. Being considerate of other people enjoying the outdoors or who live nearby can help avoid potential conflicts and ensure a safe and enjoyable season. As coastal areas become more populated, new landowners unfamiliar with the safety, ethics and traditions of waterfowl hunting sometimes respond by seeking to limit hunter access to popular waterfowl hunting areas. Hunters should be considerate and try to minimize disturbance of local residents whenever possible. More information about avoiding conflicts between waterfowl hunters and waterfront property owners can be found atwww.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/94213.html.

Waterfowl Consumption Advisory:

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) evaluates data on chemicals in wild waterfowl to assess the possible effects of those chemicals on human health. The current advisory states that: "Mergansers are the most heavily contaminated waterfowl species and should not be eaten. Eat up to two meals per month of other wild waterfowl; you should skin them and remove all fat before cooking, and discard stuffing after cooking. Wood ducks and Canada geese are less contaminated than other wild waterfowl species and diving ducks are more contaminated than dabbler ducks.

Recent data indicate that waterfowl residing in the Hudson River between Hudson Falls and Troy have higher PCB levels than waterfowl from other portions of the Hudson River and are likely to have higher PCB levels than waterfowl from other areas of the state. To help reduce PCB exposures, you may want to harvest your waterfowl from other locations on the Hudson River or in other areas of New York State, particularly during the early season when many of the available birds are likely to be resident waterfowl (i.e., non-migratory). Because PCBs may have a greater effect on young children or an unborn child, it is particularly important for women under 50 and children under 15 to minimize their PCB exposures.

For the latest DOH advice on consumption of waterfowl or other game, please visit the Department of Health website at: www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/fish/health_advisories/advice_on_eating_game.htm.

Status of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in NY Wild Birds:

To date, highly pathogenic avian influenza, which is of great concern to poultry producers across North America has not been found in wild birds in New York State. DEC and USDA staff will sample wild waterfowl this fall and winter in a continued monitoring program. Hunters are advised to practice good hygiene and take necessary precautions to minimize risks to themselves and their hunting dogs, such as: wear rubber gloves when cleaning game; wash hands with soap and water after handling game; disinfect utensils used to clean game; and dispose of carcasses in areas where domestic poultry will not come in contact with the remains. More information can be found at: www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/2015/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf

Habitat Stamp:

Acting Commissioner Gerstman also encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp, an optional stamp that helps support DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. Buying a $5 stamp is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage. More information about purchasing a Habitat Stamp is available at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/329.html.

For More Information:

New York’s 2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations brochure is available now on the DEC website and will be available from most license-issuing agents and DEC regional offices by early September.

For more information about waterfowl hunting in New York, including public hunting areas around the state, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html or contact any DEC wildlife office. Contact information for all regional offices can be found on the DEC website www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html.

“Deer are a keystone game species in New York, and responsible management requires periodic adjustment of hunting rules to ensure that deer populations are compatible with local socio-economic interests as well as maintaining a balanced ecosystem,” Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman said. “DEC considered all public input in developing these regulations, and took into consideration the numerous negative impacts associated with deer overpopulation, including impairments to forest habitat regeneration, increased deer-vehicle collisions and increased incidences of tick-borne diseases.”

To achieve the desired deer population levels, the allowable harvest of antlerless deer is being increased in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1C, 3M, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8N, 9A, and 9F. These units include all or portions of Suffolk, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Westchester, Albany, Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, Orleans, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Steuben, Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Cayuga counties. In these WMUs, overabundant deer populations are negatively impacting forest regeneration, creating excessive agricultural damage, causing increased deer-vehicle collisions, and increasing damage to landscape plantings. In several of these areas, tick-borne diseases are of greater concern and high deer populations have been linked to increases in ticks and associated tick-borne diseases. There is an urgent need to address over-population of deer in these areas.

Management objectives are not being met in these units despite having a surplus of antlerless deer tags available for hunters. In making the first 15 days of the early bow season and all of the late bow and muzzleloader seasons valid for antlerless deer only in these units, DEC is asking hunters for greater cooperation in meeting the management needs by focusing their hunting effort on antlerless deer during these periods.

Throughout most of New York State, deer population levels can be managed with hunters using deer management permits. However, in these 10 management areas, the effectiveness of the deer management program has been reduced because the number of permits available in these areas exceeds the hunter demand for these permits and management objectives are not being met.

In contrast, the harvest of antlerless deer is being curtailed in WMU 6A to achieve the desired deer population in that unit. WMU 6A includes portions of Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Franklin counties. In this unit, DEC has not issued Deer Management Permits for antlerless deer since 2011, and the antlerless harvest has only occurred during the early and late bow and muzzleloader seasons.

With the adoption of these new rules, hunters will not be allowed to take any antlerless deer during the early muzzleloader season in this unit until the deer population rebounds. In recent years, about half of the antlerless harvest in this unit has occurred during the early muzzleloader season.

DEC has revised its hunting season maps at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html to reflect these changes in antlerless harvest rules.

Deer Management Assistance Program Refined

The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) enables DEC biologists to help landowners and resource managers implement property-specific deer management on their lands. Adopted modifications will improve the program for applicants and DEC.

DMAP application changes

The application deadline will be changed from September 1 to August 1, beginning in 2016.

DMAP permit durations will be extended from one year to three years, while retaining annual reporting requirements for permittees and hunters.

DMAP use changes

DMAP permits will now be allowed to be used during the September portion of the early bow season in the Northern Zone and hunters will now be allowed to use up to four DMAP tags per permit where needed.

The full list of changes to the DMAP rules, including application forms, can be found at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/33973.html.

DEC ANNOUNCES SPORTING LICENSE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 2015-16 Licenses to Go on Sale August 10

Deer Management Assistance Program Streamlined

Improvements to the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s sporting license-issuance and game harvest reporting system are in place in time for this year’s hunting season, DEC Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman announced today. In addition, DEC changed the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) to streamline the program and expand opportunities for landowners needing deer management assistance.

“DEC talked to the sporting community and license-issuing agents, and made significant improvements to the licensing system based on their feedback,” Acting Commissioner Gerstman said. “These improvements streamline the process to buy sporting licenses. We look forward to welcoming sportsmen and sportswomen to the vast array of opportunities New York offers to go afield in the upcoming hunting and trapping seasons.”

Enhanced Sporting License Automated System

DEC and the New York State Office of Information Technology Services worked with contractors to make DEC’s sporting license-issuance and game harvest system more user friendly and faster to enhance service to New York’s hunters, anglers and trappers. Two new user interfaces make selling licenses by license-issuing agents and purchases by online customers easier and more intuitive.

In developing the system improvements, DEC met with license-issuing agents and online customers to gather their suggestions. The resulting new user interfaces offer several new features including allowing license-issuing agents and online purchasers the ability to:

• readily access more information such as the current licenses, privileges, permits and tags held, as well as the most recent Wildlife Management Units where the hunter successfully applied for deer management permits;
  
• easily update personal information, such as current address, to help ensure DEC’s information is up-to-date and the license is valid;
  
• move through fewer screens;
  
• sell multiple short-term fishing licenses;
  
• streamline game harvest reporting process; and
  
• report multiple harvests in one session.
  

“The New York State Conservation Council commends Governor Cuomo and DEC for prioritizing the most recent improvements to the licensing system,” said Council President A. Charles Parker. “Sportsmen, sportswomen and licensing-issuing agents can look forward to swifter, customer-friendly transactions going forward.”

Lance Robson, Chairman, NYS Fish and Wildlife Management Board said, “The members of the Fish and Wildlife Management Board thank DEC for their tireless efforts to fully realize the potential of the E-Licensing system. We welcome the Department's recent improvements to the system and anticipate that they will benefit both individual members of the sporting public and our license selling partners."

License-issuing agents have provided positive feedback on the new interface and DEC expects the new system will perform well for the purchase of new-year hunting licenses, permits, and privileges. There are approximately 1,300 license-issuing agents across New York located at many retail stores and municipalities who provide an important service to DEC and New York hunters, anglers and trappers. DEC has worked to ensure they have a system that affords them the ability to provide quality customer service.

The online user interface also provides for an easier, more intuitive experience in the legally required reporting of harvested deer, bear and turkey—information that is used in managing DEC’s wildlife resources.

The 2015-16 hunting and trapping licenses go on sale on August 10 and are valid beginning September 1, 2015. Licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC's license-issuing agents around the state, as well as by telephone and online:

• License-issuing agents list can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/95448.html
  
• Online License Center: licensecenter.ny.gov
  
• Call center number: 1 (866) 933-2257
  

License buyers should have the following items ready when applying: complete name and address information; customer ID number if they have it; proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number with a valid NYS address to qualify for a resident license); and, if purchasing by phone or internet, a credit card and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to provide proof of a hunting education certification or a copy of a previous license, if this information is not already contained in their license system file.

Approximately 1.2 million people purchase hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses each year, and sporting license sales generate approximately $42 million annually in revenue used to manage New York’s fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as to improve access to those resources.

Deer Management Assistance Program Changes to Increase Efficiency

DEC also made several modifications to the Deer Management and Assistance Program to increase its efficiency and effectiveness. These changes include: expanding opportunities for landowners where abundant deer are preventing forest regeneration; increasing the number of deer an individual hunter can shoot under a single DMAP permit from two to four; clarifying that hunters may participate under multiple DMAPs; and reducing the paperwork landowners need to participate in the program.

Turkey Hunting Season Modifications

Newly adopted regulations shorten the fall turkey hunting seasons in New York State due to a declining turkey population across the state. The new fall seasons are two weeks long with a statewide season bag limit of one bird of either sex. Season dates vary regionally with the season in the Northern Zone running October 1-14, the Southern Zone running October 17-30, and Suffolk County (Long Island) running November 21-December 4. Further details are found on DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8366.html.

Declining wild turkey populations across the state make it necessary to shorten the hunting seasons so that DEC can responsibly manage New York's wild turkey populations to ensure that future generations of hunters have the opportunity to go afield.

DEC received approximately 120 comments on this regulatory proposal. Almost all of the comments expressed concern over the decline in wild turkey populations over the past 15 years, and many were supportive of DEC's efforts to modify the fall hunting season to accommodate changing turkey populations and environmental conditions.

These improvements to the licensing system and regulatory changes align with Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative aimed at improving recreational opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, $10 million in NY Works funding has been dedicated to fish hatchery repairs and 50 new land and water access projects such as boat launches, hunting blinds, trails and parking areas.

Under the initiative, the 2015-16 Enacted Budget adds an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state’s hatcheries in NY Works funding. The Budget also creates a new capital account which along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

The Enacted Budget for 2015-16 raises the Environmental Protection Fund to $177 million, an increase of 32 percent since Governor Cuomo took office. The $15 million EPF increase this year will support 14 categories, including land conservation, stewardship, and invasive species control and prevention. The increase includes a new sub-allocation for capacity grants to State Parks friends’ groups.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy - Are you ready for the 2015 Hunting Season? Let us know here: http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/28357-the-2015-season-is-creeping-up-fast-what-is-your-game-plan/

Not yet? Maybe some of these trail camera photos will get you going : http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Whats your thoughts on the new shortened turkey season? Lots of folks have differing opinions here http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/27761-new-fall-season-from-6-weeks-to-2-weeks-no-way/ - Long story short its been cut from 6 weeks to 2 weeks.

Another interesting topic, one of which may be in part to our shortened turkey seasons, when do you know you have enough yotes on your property.

http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/27761-new-fall-season-from-6-weeks-to-2-weeks-no-way/

There are a ton of new threads to read all over HuntingNY.com in the Bow Hunting section to get you ready for the bow season opener, http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 317,970 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.

“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 and this extension offers an additional opportunity for those hunters to get afield in Suffolk County.”

The changes to the Suffolk County deer hunting seasons and permit requirements are summarized as follows:

• Extends the regular (bowhunting) season for deer in Suffolk County through January 31;

• Expands the special firearms season for deer in Suffolk County to run from the first Sunday in January (January 4) through January 31 including weekends. The 2015 firearms deer season in Suffolk County will begin Sunday, January 4and continue until January 31;

• Clarifies the Town permit requirements, landowner permission requirements and legal implements for the special firearms season. The adopted regulations also include a provision waiving the Town Permit requirement in any town which by local law has waived the town permit requirement. However, this aspect will not take effect before next season (January 2016);

• Increases permit quotas for each town to reflect current deer management needs and allow for additional access opportunities on state land.

Hunters who wish to hunt on state-managed lands in Suffolk County will be able to take advantage of the expanded special firearms deer season as well the extended archery season. The following state managed properties will be open for shotgun deer hunting from January 4-January 31; Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area, Westhampton Dwarf Pine Plains Preserve, Henrys Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest, Barcelona Neck Cooperative Hunting Area, David Sarnoff Cooperative Hunting Area and the Otis Pike Preserve. The East Hampton Cooperative Area and Noyac (part of the Southampton Cooperative Areas) will be open for firearms deer hunting from January 5 – 31; weekdays only.

Firearms deer hunting on all NYSDEC-managed lands during the January shotgun season requires daily permits. Get more information on hunting during the Special January Firearms Season on private lands .

Hunters looking to archery hunt on state-managed lands during the extended season can hunt at Brookhaven State Park Cooperative Hunting Area, Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest, Carmen’s River Pine Barrens State Forest, East Bartlett Conservation Area, Ridge Conservation Area, Wildwood State Park Cooperative Hunting Area and NYSDEC tidal wetlands that are currently open to archery hunting. All hunters are required to have a DEC-Managed Lands Access Permit to hunt on these properties. For additional information please visit the LI Public Hunting Areas web page

Stand-by hunting procedures for firearms deer hunting on state managed lands are as follows: At 8:00 AM each day, all parking spots that have not been filled will be given away to hunters via a drawing at the check station. There will be one drawing for all available parking areas on all properties. All hunters present for the drawing will be able to enter; a town permit is not required prior to entering the drawing. Second town permits can be issued to all hunters who are picked for a spot during the stand-by.

The 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. Under this initiative, this year’s budget included $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. 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.

The 2014 regular deer and bear hunting seasons open at sunrise on Saturday, November 15, in New York's Southern Zone, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. These big game seasons close at sunset on Sunday, December 7.

“Hunting is an important part of New York’s outdoor heritage and a vital tool in managing our state’s wildlife resources,” said Commissioner Martens. “I wish all hunters a safe and successful season.”

The Southern Zone Regular Season is New York's most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York's 550,000 licensed hunters. Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30-60 percent of the statewide bear harvest. With the October 1 start to the bow season in the Southern Zone and a special Youth Firearms Deer Hunt over Columbus Day Weekend, many big game hunters have already enjoyed fruitful hunts.

Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will open at sunrise on December 8 and close at sunset on December 16. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges.

In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened October 25 and will close at sunset on December 7. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late archery and muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from December 8 to December 14.

Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes when they go afield for the 2014 regular hunting season:

• Rifles authorized for Livingston and Albany counties:New legislation allows the use of rifles for big game hunting in Livingston County and most of Albany County. Visit DEC’s website at (1-866-426-3778).[/color]
  
• Black Bear Tooth Collection:Successful bear hunters are asked to submit a tooth of their bear so DEC can age the bear and monitor bear population dynamics. See Bear Tooth Collection at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html for instructions.
  
• Venison Donation:Hunters are encouraged to participate in the Venison Donation program (http://www.venisondonation.com/). By obtaining permits and donating one’s deer, hunters help accomplish the needed deer management and can feed less fortunate families.
  

Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries, studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. Hunters are encouraged to review hunting safety tips (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html) and pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting-related shooting incidents including:

• Point your gun in a safe direction.
  
• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
  
• Be sure of your target and beyond.
  
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  
• Remember to wear Hunter Orange.
  

For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2014-2015 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide available on DEC’s website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html). Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.

We wanted to point out a few important threads on the http://huntingny.com/forums/ forums to check out.

There are a ton of new threads to read over in the Bow Hunting section and some beautiful 2014 bucks taken already. Check them out there: http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/

Check out the the 2014 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up and ready for posting live action and photos from the woods. -> http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/24012-live-from-the-stand-woods-2014/

As always there are some amazing trail camera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few days -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/

Also a good read for those who are following the Rut, -> Rut Report Thread

http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/25304-rut-report-thread/

If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 338,870 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.

If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.

Thank you and be safe!

The Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) with leftover permits will be:

1C

3M, 3R, 3S

7F, 7H, 7J

8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R

9A, 9F, 9G

Applications for leftover DMPs will be accepted at license issuing outlets only. Applications will not be accepted by phone, mail or on-line for leftover DMPs.

• Hunters may apply for and receive up to two additional DMPs in these WMUs.
  
• Applicants with licenses that are exempt from paying a DMP application fee or hunters who have previously applied for DMPs this license year will not be charged any additional fees during the extended application period. Otherwise, there is a non-refundable $10 application fee for leftover DMPs.
  
• Leftover DMPs are issued on a first-come / first-serve basis. DEC will continue to issue permits in these WMUs until sufficient numbers of DMPs are issued to achieve optimum management in each unit. When a unit is opened, it will remain open at least until close of business that day. At the end of the business day, any units that have reached the desired number of permits will be closed.
  
• Applications for leftover DMPs will not affect any preference points held by the applicant.
  

Note: DMPs are only valid for antlerless deer in the WMU for which they are issued.

More info here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/6399.html

Hunters Must Apply in Person at DEC Lands and Forest Office in Sherburne.

Under Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Office in Sherburne, NY, will once again have Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAP) available for use this hunting season on Beaver Meadow State Forest in Chenango County. Individuals with a valid state hunting license are eligible to take advantage of the DMAP program that has been approved for Beaver Meadow. The forest, consisting of approximately 5,816 acres of land in the towns of Smyrna and Otselic in Chenango County, has been part of the DMAP program for the past four years. DMAP tags are valid only for antlerless deer. Last year, 57 antlerless deer were taken under the DMAP program in the county.

DEC foresters have determined that browsing by deer is negatively impacting the state forest beyond what traditional hunting and forest management can address. Tree regeneration, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants have been repeatedly damaged and degraded by persistent overbrowsing by deer.

"By focusing additional hunting in a targeted area for an extended amount of time, the forest will have an opportunity for tree regeneration to grow above the browse height of deer," noted DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch. "This is a great opportunity for hunters to take an additional deer while also helping with forest management."

Hunters may apply in person from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the DEC Lands and Forest Office, 2715 State Highway 80 in Sherburne. DMAP tags are available for use on the forest during both the regular and bow hunting seasons. Tags will be loaned out for two-week periods, determined by an on-going lottery, depending on hunter demand. The DMAP application for Beaver Meadow State Forest is available online. More information about Beaver Meadow State Forest, including a map of the forest, is also available.

Application Link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/66900.html

DMAP tags will be used on Beaver Meadow State Forest for a period of time, typically about four to seven years, based on the success of the program. The end result will be healthier forests and better habitat for deer and other flora and fauna that have been missing or greatly reduced in the forest due to over browsing by deer.

In support of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting 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 that have not reached their full potential. 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.

For further information, contact the Sherburne Lands and Forests office at 607-674-4017.