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NY DEC: Wild Boars No Longer "Fair Game"


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EURASIAN BOARS NO LONGER “FAIR GAME” IN NEW YORK

Proposed Regulations Would Prohibit Hunting or Trapping of Wild Boars in New York

 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner (DEC) Joe Martens today announced the proposal of new regulations that would prohibit hunting or trapping of free-ranging Eurasian boars in New York. The proposal is designed to ensure maximum effectiveness of DEC’s statewide eradication efforts.  Public comments on the proposed regulations will be accepted until January 25, 2014.

 

“Eurasian boars are a great threat to natural resources, agricultural interests, private property and public safety wherever they occur,” Commissioner Martens said.  “It’s important that we do all in our power to ensure that this invasive species does not become established in the wild anywhere in New York State.” 

 

Eurasian boars were brought to North America centuries ago and wild populations numbering in the millions now occur across much of the southern U.S.  In recent years, wild boar populations have been appearing in more northern states too, often as a result of escapes from enclosed shooting facilities that offer “wild boar hunts.”

 

Governor Cuomo signed legislation on October 21, 2013 which immediately prohibited the importation, breeding or introduction to the wild of any Eurasian boars.  Furthermore, the law prohibits possession, sale, transport or marketing of live Eurasian boars as of September 1, 2015.  The new law was an essential step in the state’s efforts to prevent Eurasian boars from becoming established in the wild. 

 

However, there are already small numbers of Eurasian boars on the landscape in New York.  Since 2000, wild boars have been reported in many counties across the state, and breeding in the wild has been confirmed in at least six counties (Tioga, Cortland, Onondaga, Clinton, Sullivan and Delaware) in recent years.  DEC is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program to remove any Eurasian boars that are reported in New York, and to date more than 150 animals have been captured and destroyed. However, eradication is expensive, time consuming and requires a great deal of manpower. 

 

“Many hunters have offered to assist our efforts by hunting for boars wherever they occur, but experience has shown this to be counter-productive,” Martens said.  “As long as swine may be pursued by hunters, there is a potential conflict with our swine eradication efforts.  Eurasian boars often join together to form a ‘sounder’, the name for a group of pigs sometimes numbering 20 or more individuals. Shooting individual boars as opportunities arise is ineffective as an eradication method, and this often causes the remaining animals to disperse and be more difficult to remove.” 

 

Hunters pursuing wild boars in locations where baited traps have been established by DEC or USDA can also undermine these costly and labor-intensive capture efforts.  Shooting may remove one or two animals but the rest of the sounder scatters and rarely comes back together as a group, thereby hampering eradication efforts.  In addition to prohibiting take of free-ranging swine by hunters, the proposed regulation would prohibit anyone from disturbing traps set for wild boars or otherwise interfering with Eurasian boar eradication activities.  Hunting wild boar can be done at hunting preserves until 2015.

 

The proposed regulations provide necessary exceptions for state and federal wildlife agencies, law enforcement agencies, and others who are authorized by DEC to take Eurasian boar to alleviate nuisance, property damage, or threats to public health or welfare.

 

Commissioner Martens encouraged anyone who observes a Eurasian boar (dead or alive) in the wild in New York to report it as soon as possible to the nearest DEC regional wildlife office.

 

Since it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a domestic pig, pot belly pig or Eurasian boar based solely on a description, reporting of all feral swine is encouraged.  Please report the number of animals seen, whether any of them were piglets, the date, and the exact location (county, town, distance and direction from an intersection, nearest landmark, etc.). Photographs of feral swine are greatly appreciated, so please try and get a picture and include it with your report.



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yea I got that emailed to me from DEC.  I understand maybe causing them to be wary with people shooting at them and then they scatter but....

 

as with others I think it will bite them.  if a pig is around here everyone will be after it.  haven't really heard of any around here.  some tv shows were they hunt hogs to help ranchers are retarded.  they run all over the country side trying to literally catch the thing with dogs often.  I'm all for the dogs but for the love of a farmers field shoot the thing when you see it!  don't try to tie it up or stick it with a knife.  not to seem heartless but just shoot and go find the next one.

 

I understand where DEC is coming from in that they want to efficiently take them and not scare the rest away.  if there's one there should be more, unless someone's pig got out.  I'm thinking they'd rather bait them and then use a blast net to catch a bunch at a time.  I still think the population can get away from them though.

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I don't think ppl will report as much as they think....with exception to farmers....not allowing the shoot on sight will come back to bite them in.....the very least 5 yrs....just a prediction...

   Agreed 100% If they want them gone they should allow  shoot on sight or they will never get rid of them.

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I just had to dig up this oldie but goody for this thread,lol

I'm gonna miss open season on Porkers..... :wild:

 

scan0003-3.jpg

  Wooly, I raised a porker like that when I was a kid only in reversed colors, he(Wilber) was mostly white with a red shoulder band around him.  But he did taste good when his time came. 

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I have absolutely no knowledge of feral pigs, how to hunt them, or how much problems individual hunting may pose for organized eradication efforts. So, I guess I have to defer to the "experts" on this issue. All I can say is that they had better be right. Right now they have a free and willing source of population control volunteers that don't cost a cent, and they are everywhere. Comparing that force to a small group of paid state and federal employees to handle a statewide problem, logic would seem to favor the idea of using the free force of hunters to do the job. But then, what the heck do I know? Maybe they can do a more effective job on an undisturbed, unsuspecting, population. These guys are going to look awful goofy if they don't get the job done.

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Here the problem...The state has made gun owners very very leary...so anyone with a brain knows that if you report sightings they are going to have to come in with several ppll and thoroughly look over your property...whether your as clean as the driven snow or  a " I thought that was legal for the game cam" type of person...Who wants an agency that has by far more power in the law than even state trooper on their land?

Now pile on the fact they have their own time table ...so these eradication operations could take place in the middle of any of your hunting seasons...really how many will invite that in

Then you have the tree huggers...need I say more

Edited by growalot
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Here the problem...The state has made gun owners very very leary...so anyone with a brain knows that if you report sightings they are going to have to come in with several ppll and thoroughly look over your property...whether your as clean as the driven snow or  a " I thought that was legal for the game cam" type of person...Who wants an agency that has by far more power in the law than even state trooper on their land?

Now pile on the fact they have their own time table ...so these eradication operations could take place in the middle of any of your hunting seasons...really how many will invite that in

Then you have the tree huggers...need I say more

Did you say they were going to open up a season on Tree Huggers ?  LOL

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   Agreed 100% If they want them gone they should allow  shoot on sight or they will never get rid of them.

Hasn't worked so far and evidence shows it contributes to disbursement.

 

Fact is shoot on site has not eradicate them and can make trapping more difficult.

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Steve ...that may be so...but it's better than nothing...and I honestly think that there could end up with more protection of them than reportings...I never mentioned the guys whom in their misguided joy of another species to hunt...would definitely not report...until their deer hunting became impacted by them...I think there are more of those guys out out there than thought of.....

I tell ya ...go to a southern influenced web sight and show that DEC release...and see what those ppl that have dealt with them think...because the attitude may surprise you

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I hope these guys know what they are doing and are not issuing this hog protection law based on some goofy un-proven theory. I have to also wonder if in this age of tight budgets, the DEC will ever really spend the time and resources to actually try to trap them. Because if they don't, and don't do it vigorously, with this new hog protection law, nothing will be being done to stem the spread of these critters.

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      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.
      Click here to view the article
    • By burmjohn
      Roads Provide Motor Vehicle Access to Lands in Essex, Franklin and Hamilton Counties
       
      Hunters and people of all ages who enjoy outdoor recreation now have improved access to nearly 25,000 acres of forest preserve and conservation easement lands in the Adirondacks, in time for the Northern Zone regular big game hunting season, State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.
      New roads and facilities will allow motor vehicle access to the 18,000-acre Kushaqua Tract Conservation Easement Lands in Franklin County using the 3.3-mile Mountain Pond Road, and the 1,600-acre public use area of the Township 19 Tract Conservation Easement Lands in Hamilton County using the 2.6 miles of O’Neil Flow Road and Barker Pond Road. In addition, in the Essex Chain Lakes Complex gates have been opened to allow increased access to Camp Six Road in Newcomb and Gooley Park in Indian Lake, which will allow access for hunting, along with limited camping at designated primitive tent sites.
      “DEC crews worked hard the past few months to open roads and other facilities so hunters, trappers and others can access these lands and waters,” said Commissioner Martens. “DEC continues to improve and provide new public access to lands in the Adirondacks, and encourages people to enjoy the unique opportunities available.”
       
      Mountain Pond Road, Kushaqua Tract
      The Kushaqua Tract Conservation Easement Lands are located in the towns of Franklin and Brighton, and are owned by the Lyme Timber Company of Hanover, New Hampshire. The entire property, with the exception of 32 private lease camp lots, is open to the public for recreation.
      Mountain Pond Road is located off the North Branch Road – the main entrance to the southern portion of the Kushaqua Tract near the hamlet of Onchiota. DEC staff, with the cooperation and assistance of the landowner, used Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) money to upgrade Mountain Pond Road to allow seasonal motor vehicle access.
      The road extends northeast, passing through several areas where timber was harvested during the past five years. These recently harvested areas are rich with a variety of non-game species, as well as popular game species including whitetail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse and woodcock. The road also features scenic views of the Loon Lake Mountain range to the north and the High Peaks region to the south. In the future, DEC will develop facilities to provide access to Mountain Pond. 
      A designated parking area is located on the North Branch Road where it enters the Kushaqua Tract. An information kiosk featuring a map and guidelines for use of the road and lands is located in the parking area. Several old log landings and road shoulders along Mountain Pond Road have been mowed to provide off-road parking. Food, supplies and gas for those using the Kushaqua Tract Conservation Easement Lands can be found in the nearby communities of Bloomingdale and Gabriels. Amenities and lodging are available in Saranac Lake.
       
      O’Neill Flow & Barker Pond Roads, Township 19 Tract
      The Township 19 Tract Conservation Easement Lands Public Use Area is located south of O’Neill Flow Road and north of the Blue Mountain Wild Forest in the Town of Indian Lake. The Township 19 Tract is part of the 92,000-acre Upper Hudson Woodlands ATP Conservation Easement Lands owned by ATP Timberland Invest of Hillerod, Denmark.
      O’Neill Flow Road is located off State Route 30/28 between the communities of Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake. The road not only provides access to the 1,600-acre public use area, but also to thousands of acres of adjacent Forest Preserve lands in the Blue Mountain Lake Wild Forest.
      The road is currently open to public motor vehicles for approximately two miles, ending at a gate just beyond the intersection with the Barker Pond Road. The Barker Pond Road extends another 0.6 mile to a new parking area a short distance from Barker Pond.
      DEC developed and designated a primitive tent site near the parking area. Another primitive tent site has been designated on the west shore of Barker Pond.
      The first mile of the O’Neill Flow Road passes through Forest Preserve lands. The remaining length of the road serves as the boundary between private lands to the north and the public use area to the south. The O’Neill Flow Road is currently gated just beyond the intersection with Barker Pond Road. Beyond the gate the road extends for another five miles, but can only be used for foot travel at this time. The road is a designated snowmobile trail for its entire length.
      DEC plans future improvements to these lands, including extending public motor vehicle usage on the O’Neill Flow Road another five miles to access fishing opportunities on Dun Brook, constructing a waterway access site on Barker Pond, and designating and developing additional primitive tent sites.
      The Township 19 CEL project is being funded by Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program and is part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative. In support of 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 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 budgets includes $4 million to repair the state’s fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State.
      Both roads are on privately owned conservation easement lands that may be actively logged. People can expect to see and hear logging trucks, skidders and other logging equipment. Visitors must respect the right of landowners and follow these guidelines:
      Do not trespass on private lands and, on the Kushaqua Tract, private leased camps; Use motorized vehicles only on designated roads; Park vehicles in designated parking areas; and Do not obstruct gates, barriers or the safe passage of vehicular traffic on property roads. Both seasonal access roads will be closed to motor vehicle traffic during the winter and spring mud season. Food, supplies, gas and lodging for those using the Township 19 Tract Conservation Easement Lands can be found in the nearby communities of Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake.
       
      Essex Chain Lakes Complex
      The Camp Six Road can be accessed off the Chain Lakes North Road. It is the second yellow gate on the right, which will be locked open for the regular big game hunting season. The road is open for a mile, ending at a parking area. The parking area provides access to thousands of acres of lands in the recently classified Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area and the Hudson Gorge Wilderness.
      The gate at the Outer Gooley parking area on the Chain Lakes Road South is also open for the hunting season, allowing for motor vehicles to travel for approximately 1.5 miles to a designated 4-vehicle parking area. There are 3 primitive tent sites along this section of road. Two additional tent sites are located past the seasonal parking area (and gate) – one further north on the Chain Lakes Road South and one at Pine Lake.
      Food, supplies, gas and lodging for those using the Essex Chain Lakes Complex can be found in the nearby communities of Newcomb and Indian Lake.
       
       
      Directions, maps and other information may be found on the DEC website for both the Kushaqua Tract (www.dec.ny.gov/lands/95009.html), the Township 19 Tract (www.dec.ny.gov/lands/71954.html) and the Essex Chain Lakes complex (www.dec.ny.gov/lands/91888.html ).
       
       
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