Syracuse.com - Hastings hunter 'disappointed' by Tompkins County Deer Management Focus Area

[HuntingNY-News]

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"Unfortunately, this hunt is a bit of a farce unless you own private land in the zone or had previously applied for a permit from Cornell," he said.

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<p><strong>The following email was sent to me by Jim McDougal, of Hastings, in response to <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/01/column_6.html">my column Sunday about the DEC's Deer Management Focus Area in Central Tompkins County,</a> which was set up this fall to put a dent in the over-population of deer in that area. To date, some 3,500 hunters have taken out the required permits to hunt in the area.</strong></p>

<p>"David, I just read your column (as I do every Sunday). This deer management focus area (DMFA) was very intriguing to me as I would love to extend my deer season.</p>

<p>"Unfortunately, this hunt is a bit of a farce unless you own private land in the zone or had previously applied for a permit from Cornell. My hunting partner and I scouted the 2 state parks that are in the DMFA (Treman and Buttermilk falls) and with snow on it did not take long to determine that while there were deer there an overpopulation condition did not really exist.</p>

<p>"Also, most hunters think that the whole park is included in the hunt but less than half of each park is permitted for hunting and there are no boundary markers to guide hunters. </p>

<p>"We also toured the villages of Lansing and Cayuga Heights and there was an obvious over population of deer in those communities. Even if you could obtain permission from a land owner in those areas hunting is not permitted by town law.</p>

<p>"The one exception we found was in a piece of property in Lansing that is controlled by the town. Individuals can call one of 2 Cornell professors who run the hunt there, I believe there are 20 acres but it is tightly controlled. You are escorted to the parking area and to a stand which has been previously set up.</p>

<p>"The stands could be as close as 30 feet from houses and you may not be able to follow up your deer after shooting as not all property owners are supportive of the program. As a sportsman this was not an acceptable situation for me. </p>

<p>"I just thought you'd like some background on this "opportunity" as I would predict that most hunters going down there will leave somewhat disappointed."</p>

<p><strong>Editor's note: This is one hunter's opinion. I'd like to hear from others who've hunted in the area this past fall during the bowhunting, regular firearms and late muzzleloading seasons.. in addition to the special January hunt. </strong></p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog