ELMER J. FUDD

http://libn.com/2015/09/03/cuomo-calls-ny-common-core-broken-calls-for-reform/ "You don't need ten rounds to how many beers has Elmer had tonight?"

Price of water from upstate will go up to offset taxes.

This calls for something big.

Hey. She's smilin'.

Nah, you know what, I think I'll go...yeah...triple...

Dear god, it's almost double face palm time.

You guys wouldn't believe me...

This just in... DEC recently adopted a couple of rule changes that continue progressive actions to address deer populations in portions of the state with too many or too few deer. One change involved establishing antlerless-only portions of the bow and muzzleloader seasons in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) where deer populations are larger than desired and increasing the availability of tags for antlerless deer has not achieved the necessary population reduction. This change has generated numerous questions from hunters, so DEC has posted additional detail, including a summary of the public comment received during the rule making process, at New Antlerless Deer Hunting Rules for 2015 (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/103040.html). New Antlerless Hunting Rules for 2015In August 2015, DEC adopted several rule changes that continue progressive actions to address deer populations in areas with too few and too many deer. Antlered deer only during the early muzzleloader season in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 6AIn WMU 6A, harvest of antlerless deer must be further curtailed to achieve desired deer populations. In this unit, DEC has not issued Deer Management Permits for antlerless deer since 2011 and antlerless harvest has only occurred during the early and late bow and muzzleloader seasons. Under the new rule, until deer populations grow, hunters in WMU 6A will not be allowed to take antlerless deer during the early muzzleloader season, which in recent years has accounted for about half of the antlerless harvest. With appropriate tags and privileges, bowhunters may continue to take antlerless deer during the early and late bowhunting seasons, and muzzleloader hunters may take antlerless deer during the late muzzleloading season. See Deer Hunting Seasons for a map of season dates. Antlerless-only portion of the bow and muzzleloader seasons in several WMUsIn WMUs 1C, 3M, 3S, 4J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8N, 9A, and 9F, deer populations are resulting in unacceptable impacts to residents and local ecosystems, and greater antlerless deer harvests are needed to achieve desired population levels. Offering increasing numbers of Deer Management Permits (DMPs; antlerless tags) each year has no longer been a productive way of increasing antlerless take, and changes were needed to direct hunter effort towards antlerless deer. Thus, under the new rule, in these WMUs, deer hunters may take only antlerless deer during the first 15 days of the early bow season (October 1-15, 2015) and all of the late bow and muzzleloader season (December 14-22, 2015; except in WMUs 1C and 3S where there is no late bow/muzzleloader season). Hunters may take antlered or antlerless deer, with appropriate tags, during the remainder of the early bow season and regular firearms season. Additionally, the new rule does not affect junior hunters participating in the Youth Firearms Deer Hunt, which overlaps with the early bowhunting season in many of these WMUs. See Deer Hunting Seasons for a map of season dates. The concept of this change originated from hunter suggestions during the scoping process for DEC's deer plan in 2009, received favorable support from hunters in a 2010 deer hunter survey, and was subsequently included in DEC's Management Plan for White-tailed Deer in New York State, 2012-2016 following a public comment period. Specifically, the plan outlines a 3-phase process to increase antlerless harvests where needed: Strategy 2.2.6: Where deer populations are above desired levels and DMP quotas may exceed applicant base, initiate a progressive and adaptive approach to increase antlerless harvest by: (Phase 1) expanding the use of Bonus DMPs; (Phase 2) making a portion of the early bowhunting season and late muzzleloading season valid only for antlerless deer; and (Phase 3) implementing a special antlerless-only season for muzzleloader hunters in these areas. DEC tested the potential to expand the Bonus DMP program (Phase 1) in 2013 by exploring the impact of issuing Bonus DMPs in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C as antlerless-only rather than either-sex tags as they had been previously. This was an important step to reduce the workload of administering the program and focus hunters on antlerless deer, a critical factor for potentially expanding the program. However, results of the trial suggest that expansion of the Bonus DMP program would not yield the desired increase in antlerless take. Harvest reporting data also indicate that hunters are not limited by the availability of antlerless tags in the WMUs of the rule change. So, DEC moved on to Phase 2. Over the next couple years, DEC will continue to monitor harvests and population indices and will modify rules for antlerless harvest as needed. Public Comment on the New Antlerless Hunting RulesDuring the public review period for the recent rule change, DEC received comments and questions from many hunters. A summary of these comments and DEC's response is copied below. Antlered-only early muzzleloader season in WMU 6AComment: Several writers expressed support for the proposed action to restrict harvest to antlered deer only during the early muzzleloader season in WMU 6A. Additional suggestions to reduce antlerless harvest, included elimination of antlerless harvest across all seasons, elimination of the late muzzleloader season, or reduction of Deer Damage Permits and DMAP permits to landowners. Response: Currently, about half of the adult female deer harvest in WMU 6A occurs during the early muzzleloader season. By allowing only take of antlered deer during this season, the Department expects the overall adult female harvest to be reduced sufficiently to stimulate desired population growth without completely eliminating antlerless harvest or restricting landowners that experience deer-related damage. Comment: Several writers disagreed that the deer population is lower than desired or that the deer population should be allowed to increase. One commenter requested that DEC delay implementation of the change for WMU 6A until it can show that a larger deer population will not have adverse impacts on forest regeneration or species of greatest conservation need. Response: The target deer population for WMU 6A, established in 2009, was based on the impacts experienced by and recommendations of local stakeholders. Trends in harvest data suggest the deer population has been below the target level since then. USDA Forest Inventory Analysis data indicates that regeneration in the St. Lawrence / Champlain Valley ecoregion, which encompasses WMU 6A, is good or very good in over 70% of sample plots. Ecological and human impacts will be considered when new objectives are established, and the Department does not anticipate substantial changes in impacts due to the modest deer population increase intended with this rule. Antlerless-only portion of the bow and muzzleloader seasons in several WMUsComment: One writer claimed that hunters or hunting groups had not been surveyed on this issue prior to the rule being proposed. Response: The option to make part of the bow and muzzleloader season valid for antlerless deer only in areas where additional antlerless harvest is necessary, originated from hunters during the scoping process for DEC's deer management plan. Then, in the 2010 Deer Hunter Survey, 55% of hunters identified that, where needed, an antlerless-only portion of the bow and muzzleloader seasons was a good idea, while only 28% believed it was a bad idea. The survey found similar support for the concept among bowhunters and gun hunters. In 2011, when DEC released a draft deer plan for public comment, the concept of an antlerless-only period during bow and muzzleloader seasons was identified as phase-2 of a 3-phase process to progressively increase harvest pressure on antlerless deer where needed. Following review of the public comment, DEC adopted the plan including this 3-phase process. Comment: Several writers disagreed that deer populations are higher than desirable, suggesting that situations of deer abundance are localized in suburban areas or on private land and that the 2014-15 winter may have further reduced the deer population. Response: DEC compiles data from entire WMUs, including public and private lands, and these data reflect deer populations that have remained above desired levels for the past decade despite efforts to reduce populations through increased allocation of antlerless deer tags. While the 2014-15 winter was more severe than average and may contribute to population reduction in the WMUs associated with this rule, strong deer productivity and recent harvest trends support the need for additional antlerless harvest during hunting seasons. Comment: Several comments supported the proposal, agreeing that more antlerless deer need to be harvested and that refocusing hunter effort on antlerless deer will help limit population growth. Several writers suggested that the rule be extended into other parts of New York Response: While there are other WMUs in New York with deer populations above desired levels, DEC contends that reduction in these units may still be achieved by increasing the availability of DMPs. If increased allocation of DMPs is unable to reduce the population, DEC would then proceed with the 3-phase approach, as appropriate, in these WMUs. Comment: Many writers expressed belief that 15 days of antlerless-only hunting during the early bowhunting season will be ineffective because harvest by bowhunters typically constitutes a relatively small portion of the overall deer harvest, suggesting that greater impact could be achieved by moving the antlerless-only period into a portion of the firearms season. Additional suggestions to potentially increase antlerless harvest included: establishing an early or late muzzleloader season for antlerless deer, allowing only 1 buck per hunter per year, longer bow or muzzleloading seasons, eliminate the $10 application fee for DMPs, allow hunters to use bait, establish an open season (all year) for antlerless deer, and making the DMPs valid for female deer only rather than antlerless deer which includes male fawns. Response: Establishing an antlerless-only period during bow and muzzleloader seasons was identified in DEC's Management Plan for White-tailed Deer in New York State, 2012-2016, as phase-2 of a 3-phase process to progressively increase harvest pressure on antlerless deer where needed. DEC agrees that greater harvest of antlerless deer might be achieved through an antlerless-only portion of the regular firearms season rather than or in addition to portions of the bow and muzzleloader season. Likewise, DEC anticipates that greater harvest of antlerless deer would occur with a new antlerless-only muzzleloader season, identified as the phase-3 action. However, the 3-phase approach was developed using hunter feedback, evaluated in the 2010 deer hunter survey, and incorporated into DEC's deer management plan after a public review process. DEC does not consider this an appropriate time to deviate from the adopted plan. During development of the 3-phase process, DEC considered other options that were also evaluated in the 2010 deer hunter survey. Options such as lengthening the late bow and muzzleloader season or creating a new season for primitive muzzleloaders were viewed less favorably by hunters than making part of the bow and muzzleloader seasons valid for antlerless deer. DEC appreciates the other suggestions. However, some would require changes in law by the New York State Legislature (e.g., changing DMP application fees or allow use of bait), and others (e.g., one buck per hunter) are being evaluated in relation to buck management strategies. DEC welcomes additional public input on this topic whenever the plan is updated or revised. Comment: Many writers objected to the proposed prohibition on taking a buck during the first 15 days of the early bow season; a few also objected to the antlerless-only requirement during the late bow and muzzleloader season. Many comments suggested that without legal opportunity to take a buck, hunters will forego hunting during the antlerless-only portions of the season or hunt in other WMUs, so antlerless harvest will not increase. Others expressed concern that some hunters will not comply with the rule if the opportunity to take a "trophy" buck arises during the antlerless-only portion of the season. Some hunters also expressed that their preferred time to hunt for bucks was during the first two weeks of the early bow season or during the late seasons. Others felt that they are entitled to take a buck because the purchase of a bow or muzzleloading privilege includes an either-sex tag. Many hunters suggested DEC consider an earn-a-buck system as an alternative. Response: DEC recognizes that many hunters value the opportunity to take antlered bucks during any season and that is a motivating factor for hunting. However, there is a critical need to increase harvest of antlerless deer in these WMUs. The proposed rule does not eliminate buck harvest opportunities but simply changes when it can occur to emphasize the necessity of antlerless harvest. We hope that hunters in these WMUs will help meet this management need. Reported harvests during the early bowhunting season in these WMUs are disproportionately skewed toward antlered bucks compared to other hunting seasons. 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. Opportunities to take an antlered buck will remain during the latter two-thirds of the early bow season and all of the regular firearm season. DEC did consider an earn-a-buck system which would require that hunters take one or more antlerless deer before they are eligible to harvest a buck or before they are eligible to take a second buck. This approach has been effective in other jurisdictions. However, earn-a-buck strategies are generally unpopular with hunters and entail high logistical costs to implement and enforce. An earn-a-buck system may be necessary at some point in the future, but we believe the Phase-2 and Phase-3 strategies are reasonable preliminary options. Any concern about hunters having to pass up a shot at a buck during the antlerless-only portion of the season would apply to earn-a-buck systems as well, at least until the hunter is successful in harvesting an antlerless deer, which could be more than 15 days into the season. Comment: DEC should use incentives, such as new or longer seasons, to increase antlerless harvest rather than disincentives. Response: In 2012, DEC extended the Southern Zone bow season an average of 15 days by beginning the season on October 1 of each year. This gave bowhunters additional time to hunt, and some bowhunters have used this time to take antlerless deer. A principal incentive would be for hunters to help achieve the desired deer population level in the identified WMUs. Additionally, phase-3, if needed, would provide new opportunity. Comment: Several writers disagreed with DEC's statement that increasing the number of DMPs available is no longer a productive way to increase antlerless harvest. They suggested that unlimited DMP tags should be available in the WMUs with overabundant deer. Response: In these units, hunters may acquire up to four DMPs through the initial draw and first-come-first-serve issuance periods, have an two DMPs transferred to them, and receive an either-sex and antlerless-only tag with their purchase of bow and muzzleloader hunting privileges. Additionally, during the late seasons, the regular big game tag is valid for deer of either-sex. Hunters have opportunity for up to nine tags that are valid for antlerless deer. However, harvest report data from 2014-15 reveal that only 1.2% of successful hunters reported taking 4 or more deer, and no hunter reported taking a total of more than 7 deer. The past couple years, there have still been left-over DMPs available in these units at seasons end. Hunters do not appear to be limited by tag availability. Comment: Several people suggested that limited access to private property for hunting is the primary problem affecting deer population management in these areas. Response: Restricted hunting access can limit the ability of hunters to reduce local deer populations, particularly when large blocks of land are not hunted. However, several surveys of landowners in New York have found that upwards of 80% of private lands are hunted. Yet many of these lands are hunted insufficiently with inadequate removal of antlerless deer. The current rule intends to refocus hunter effort toward antlerless deer during a portion of the hunting season. Comment: There was no mention if the early bowhunting season will revert to either-sex when the desired deer population is reached. Response: DEC will adapt hunting rules as needed and may revert to previous rules if appropriate.

what? That sounds hard.

Try searchtempest.com. it searches many craigslists at once.

Good luck this year Eddie. Nice pix.

Happy Birthday!

4SW coming to crap on the thread in 3...2...

The act in question demonstrates lack of integrity. Odds are, the party in question wouldn't last anyway.

Only if it's a salt lick that identifies as a food plot or some sort of living plant. Hey rocks have rights and feelings too. Furer Cuomo told me so.

Goes to tower shoot, forgets key to trigger lock...

Does the DEC think that the bow will be more effective because of the 150 ft setback rule vs 500 ft for gun? The problem is access, correct? (sorry, didn't read the whole thread) Hey DEC! Lower discharge setback doesn't = more land access / permission.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Bernie-Sanders-unable-to-address-crowd-after-Black-Lives-Matter-activist-interrupt-Seattle-Westlake-rally-321146281.html?mobile=y Re: Bernie #blacklivesmatter bwahahhahaha!

Geech for the win.

Lions.

If it keeps degenerates from reproducing, Elmer likes.

How about everyone checks in their buck and has it aged? Anyone who takes a 1.5 year old or lesss gets no buck tag the following year.

What's everyone up to? The kids start football Aug. 3rd. (one flag, one tackle) I went camping twice (OC Maryland & Fish Creek). Haven't done much fishing yet though. Doing a lot to the house nowadays. Hope you all have a nice summer! Work is insane. Pm me when there is a get together. Love, Elmer

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2011/09/freak-show-bucks-look-genetically-altered-deer?src=SOC&dom=fb "Frankenbucks" lol!

Saskatchewan, my kids are with me, on the last day a 200+ pounder walks by...