DEC ANNOUNCES SZ Deer Season, SE Zone Bear, and Central-Western Bear Season

[HuntingNY]

DEC just issued the following press release.          DEC ANNOUNCES NOV. 20 OPENING OF SOUTHERN ZONE DEER SEASON

AND SOUTHEASTERN ZONE BEAR SEASON

Bear Hunting in Central-Western New York Begins Nov. 27

    The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded hunters that the 2010 regular deer season opens at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 20, in New York’s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting season in the southeastern portion of the southern bear range also begins on Nov. 20, while regular bear season in the central-western portion of the southern bear range begins Nov. 27.

These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday, Dec. 12. See the 2010-11 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide(http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html) for a map illustrating the specific boundaries and season dates for the bear ranges.

“New York’s deer and bear populations are great resources for the state, and hunting is an important part of New York’s outdoor heritage,” said DEC Acting Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz. “Hunters provide a valuable public service by maintaining wildlife populations at levels that are compatible with public interests and natural resources. I wish all hunters a safe season and encourage them to embrace their role in responsible game management.”

The Southern Zone regular deer season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with participation from more than 70 percent of New York deer hunters.  Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest.

Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will open at sunrise on Dec. 13 and close at sunset on Dec. 21.  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 have already opened (Oct. 23) and will close Dec. 5. This zone generally includes the Adirondack Mountains, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will open in parts of the Northern Zone from Dec. 6-12.

           

Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes as they prepare for the 2010 regular hunting season.

·        Harvest Reporting:  Beginning this regular season, hunters will now have up to 7 days to report their harvested deer or bear.  Reporting harvested deer or bear is mandatory, and successful hunters may report via DEC’s online reporting system or call the toll-free automated reporting system at 1-866-GAME-RPT (1-866-426-3778). 

·        Crossbows: Although a new law was passed this year to allow use of crossbows for big game hunting in the regular season, the changes do not go into effect until Feb. 1, 2011.  This means that hunters cannot use a crossbow until the 2011-2012 hunting seasons.

·        Chronic Wasting Disease:  With no detections of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) since 2005, DEC has decommissioned the CWD containment area and no longer requires mandatory checking of harvested deer in that area. DEC will continue routine CWD surveillance throughout the state.  See CWD Regulations for Hunters at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8325.html  for more information.

·        Junior Hunters:  Junior Hunters (14 and 15 years old) can hunt deer and bear with a firearm when appropriately accompanied by an adult. See the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html  for program requirements and to download the Mentored Youth Hunter and Trapper Permission Form.

·        Bear Hunters:  Successful bear hunters are asked to submit a tooth of their bear to assist DEC with monitoring the bear population. Please visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html for instructions.

·        Venison Donation:  Hunters are encouraged to participate in the Venison Donation program.  By filling your permits and donating your deer, you help accomplish the needed deer management and you can feed less fortunate families. More information can be found at http://www.venisondonation.com .

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.  Hunters are encouraged to review these and other hunting safety tips (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html) and pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents:

·        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.

For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2010-11 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. The guide is published annually and is available free of charge from all DEC regional wildlife offices, all license issuing agents and on the DEC website. Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.        Good luck hunting this fall.