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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)
HuntingNY
New York bear hunters took 1,337 black bears during the 2012 hunting seasons, making last year the third highest bear harvest on record in New York, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. Only the 2003 harvest (1,864) and 2009 harvest (1,487) surpassed last year’s take.
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“New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting,” said Commissioner Martens. “Black bears are thriving in New York, and they represent a great resource for all New Yorkers. Through the NY’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative, Governor Cuomo is improving opportunities for hunting in New York State.”
Regionally, bear harvest increased in the Adirondacks but decreased in the Southeastern and Central-Western bear hunting areas. Though overall population size plays a large role in harvest totals, annual variations in take are also strongly influenced by environmental factors such as natural food availability and snow fall that affect bear activity and hunting pressure. These environmental influences were very apparent in the harvest totals of the past few years.
In the Adirondacks, hunters took 606 bears in 2012, returning to a more normal harvest level after an exceptionally low harvest in 2011. This past season, hunters found greatest success during the early season (386 bears; mid-September until mid-October) compared to the regular season (132 bears; late October to early December). This pattern was expected after a summer of low natural food availability. The early season harvest is always high in such years because bears are moving more in search of food and many are closer to human food sources, which in both cases makes them more vulnerable to harvest. In fact, towns along the western and southern fringe of the Adirondacks saw some of the highest harvests as bears were found feeding in corn fields during the early season. Bears also tend to den early when natural foods are scarce, so fewer bears were available to hunters during the regular season.
In the Southeastern bear hunting area, bear take dropped from the record 630 taken in 2011 to 442 taken in 2012. Similarly, take in the Central-Western bear hunting area dropped from the record 353 in 2011 to 289 in 2012. In both areas, take during bow season contributed substantially to the overall take (51 percent Southeastern, 37 percent Central-Western) and increased from 2011, reflecting the longer bow season initiated in 2012 and greater availability of bears during this period. Notably, take during the regular season dropped in both areas. The drop was most pronounced in Southeastern New York where biologists anticipated a potential reduced harvest due to early denning behavior associated with the general lack of soft and hard mast (apples, acorns and beechnuts).
Since 2005, DEC has expanded the area open to bear hunting in Southeastern and Central-Western New York and increased season length, aligning bear seasons with deer seasons. These actions were implemented to reduce bear population growth and range expansion. Most recently, in 2011, DEC expanded bear hunting into eastern New York from Rockland and Westchester to Washington counties. Hunters took 22 bears from these newly opened areas, with eight bears coming from each of Washington and Rensselaer counties.
Governor Cuomo’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, stocking as much as 900,000 pounds of fish, expanding fishing clinics and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.
A complete summary of the 2012 bear harvest with breakdown by county, town, and Wildlife Management Unit is available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html on the DEC website.
HuntingNY
he 2012 regular deer and bear hunting seasons open at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 17, in New Yorks Southern Zone, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced. The big game season closes at sunset on Sunday, Dec. 9.
"Hunting is the most effective and efficient tool to maintain wildlife populations at levels that are compatible with our communities and natural resources," said Commissioner Martens. "With an exceptionally mild winter and strong deer and bear populations throughout the state, hunters have good prospects for a successful season."
The Southern Zone Regular Deer Season is New Yorks most popular hunting season, with participation from approximately 85 percent of New Yorks 550,000 licensed deer hunters. Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest. The remainder occurs in the Northern Zone, on Long Island, and during special seasons when only archery or muzzleloading firearms may be used.
With an earlier start to the bow season in the Southern Zone and a special Youth Firearms Deer Hunt over Columbus Day Weekend, some deer hunters have already enjoyed a fruitful season. Likewise, black bear hunters have begun the year with harvests during bow season in the Southern Zone comparable to 2011. However, with scarce apples and little acorn or beech nut production this year, bears may den early, particularly if we get snow in November.
Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will open at sunrise on Dec. 10 and close at sunset on Dec. 18. 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 Oct. 20 and will close at sunset on Dec. 2. 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 Dec. 3 to Dec. 9.
Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes as they prepare for the 2012 regular hunting season.
New CWD Rules Prohibit Importation of Whole Deer Carcasses from Pennsylvania: With the discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania, DEC has issued an emergency rule to restrict importation of wild deer carcasses and parts from Pennsylvania. This rule is intended to protect New Yorks deer from newly identified potential sources of CWD.
Rifles authorized for Cayuga County: New legislation now allows use of rifles for big game hunting in Cayuga County.
Mandatory Antler Restrictions: Mandatory antler restrictions (bucks must have at least 3 points on one side) are now in effect in WMUs 3A, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, and 4W during all seasons for all hunters 17 years and older. Mandatory antler restrictions also remain in effect in WMUs 3C, 3H, 3J, and 3K. For hunters not in the mandatory AR area, consider voluntary protection of young bucks. With such a mild winter this past year, we expect over-winter fawn survival was exceptionally strong and anticipate that hunters may see more yearling (1.5 years old) bucks afield this fall. Through most of New York, hunters can take a buck of any age, but an increasing number of hunters are voluntarily choosing not to take young, small-antlered bucks. We encourage hunters who are interested in seeing and taking older, larger bucks to consider working with local hunting clubs and neighboring landowners to cooperatively and voluntarily reduce their harvest of young bucks.
Bear Hunting Areas: Beginning in 2011, bear hunting was expanded to include portions of eastern New York from Westchester to Washington County.
Crossbows: Crossbows may be used during the regular deer and bear hunting seasons and during the late muzzleloading seasons.
Junior Hunters: Junior Hunters (14 and 15 years old) can hunt deer and bear with a firearm when appropriately accompanied by an experienced adult.
Harvest Reporting: Hunters are required to report their harvest of deer and bear within 7 days. Failure to report harvested deer or bear is a violation of NYS Environmental Conservation Law.
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.
Venison Donation: Hunters are encouraged to participate in the Venison Donation program (http://www.venisondonation.com). By filling your permits and donating your deer, you help accomplish the needed deer management and you 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.
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.

HuntingNY
Remaining Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be available in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1, 2012, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced.
DMPs, which allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer, are issued for specific WMUs to help control deer populations. In several units, the target number of DMPs was not issued during the initial application period. In these WMUs, DEC will re-open the DMP application process on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hunters may apply for leftover DMPs at any sporting license sales outlet beginning Nov. 1, 2012. Leftover DMPs will not be available by phone, by mail or via the internet. Applicants who previously paid the $10 DMP application fee or are exempt from the application fee will not be charged for this additional application.
Applications for remaining DMPs will be accepted for the following WMUs: 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only), 7F, 7H, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F.
During this extended application period DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU all day. The status of issued permits will be reviewed each night, and as the target number of permits are issued for an individual WMU, they will be removed from the list of those available effective the following day, with no further applications accepted for those units.
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