2012 NY Hunting Season Rule Changes

[HuntingNY]

The DEC posted a few things over the last couple of hours including the new Hunting Season Dates for 2012 as well as Hunting Rule Changes and inclusion of a 2012 Youth Hunt.

http://www.dec.ny.go...ions/81317.html - Most important thing on this page is the inclusion of a 3 Day youth firearms hunt that starts on Saturday of Columbus Day weekend (October 8th).

Recent Hunting Rules Changes

2012-2013

More Bowhunting Opportunity

Bow season in the Southern Zone and the regular season in Westchester County (bowhunting only) will now begin October 1 each year. In the Northern Zone, a new bowhunting season will run for 7 days following the close of the regular season in areas that also have a late muzzleloader season.

Greater Use of Deer Management Permits (DMPs)

DMPs can now be used during all seasons in the Northern Zone and Bonus DMPs will be available in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 9A.

Mandatory Antler Restrictions in More WMUs

Hunters in WMUs 3A, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, and 4W are now prohibited from taking a buck during any season (bow, regular, and muzzleloader) unless it has at least one antler with 3 or more points. Youth hunters (ages 12-16) are exempt from the 3 point restriction.

Deer Management Focus Area established in portions of Tompkins County

This program will intensify use of traditional hunting to assist communities with the burden of overabundant deer populations. Hunters that register with the Focus Area program and have access to hunt in the focus area will be eligible to take 2 antlerless deer per day and participate in a special season in January. More information about this program will be available soon.

More info can be found here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8312.html

This post has been promoted to an article

[landtracdeerhunter]

Glad to see NY heading in the right direction.

Edited July 11, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[WNYBuckHunter]

Now if we can just get crossbows included into archery season, and a program in the schools for archery, etc, we will be doing great!

[BizCT]

Now if we can just get crossbows included into archery season

+ 1 !!!

[growalot]

Then go about it in a way that would work...try getting them in for small game and turkey first

The way that has been tried has not worked.... switch up tactics....leave that dead horse for the compost pile

[wdswtr]

Then go about it in a way that would work...try getting them in for small game and turkey first

The way that has been tried has not worked.... switch up tactics....leave that dead horse for the compost pile

You keep saying this and I just dont get why? What is your reasoning behind crossbows for smallgame? I dont recall a vertical bow being mandated in the fashion you are saying why would it be any different for a crossbow? So now we should backtrack and stick crossbows in with small game and not for big game? Sorry but Im lost on this tactic. I think the first attempt to get crossbows implemented in the gun season was a wise way to go, especially using it to evaluate how it panned out. What I think they are doing wrong is not giving the crossbow enough time in NY for the comfort factor to set in before they try to make the change. Too much too fast. Stick with the regular agenda of opening the door till 2014 and then re-approach it for bow season at that time. I agree though as far as the approach has been taken. The days of the squeeky wheel get the oil first are over. The squeeky wheel these days gets thrown out and replaced by another one. Whatever happend to patience in this country anyways?

[growalot]

What I think they are doing wrong is not giving the crossbow enough time in NY for the comfort factor to set in before they try to make the change. Too much too fast.

You answered your question to me in the above statement....IMO ppl kinda of disregard...to an extent...small game...opening them up there would have taken care of what you mentioned above...and I would bet...though they'd never admit it ...that NYB would not have organized against them as they did for deer /big game season.....

What I also said some where in a recent post was to go with the small game as a back up plan...when one puts all their eggs in one basket and trips....you run the chance of loosing them all....Is a person more prone to opening a door quickly.... to someone pounding on it or knocking on it?

[oakfall]

Whatever you may think of crossbows one think is sure, the have nothing to do with archery.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Thats a bunch of bull oakfall. They are a form of archery equipment. Thats a fact. Arent you late for your NYB meeting?

As far as the attempts to get crossbows into archery season goes, my opinion is there has only been one solid attempt, and that was this year. Crossbow supporters have not had any organization to work with until this year. With the NYCC gaining members and getting the word out there, now is not the time to change tactics or quit. I have no doubt that Another bill will be presented soon. Hopefully the next time it goes through.

[sbuff]

Did I miss when the early northern zone muzzle loader season is?

[erussell]

Anyone have any info on the Tomkins County focus areas yet? I am very interested in being able to take 2 doe a day and hunt for them in Jan. also. I wonder when they will spill the beans on this?

[nyslowhand]

http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/81317.html

About 1/3 the way down the page defines areas & dates.

Adopt new section 6 NYCRR 1.13 "Deer management focus areas" to read as follows: