NY DEC: 2013 Deer Harvest Results are In

[burmjohn]

Hunters harvested approximately 243,550 deer during the 2013-14 hunting seasons, nearly equivalent to the statewide take last year, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. 

 

“Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative offers many hunting opportunities statewide for sportsmen and sportswomen for the growing population of deer,” said Commission Martens. “Throughout the state, hunters play an essential role by helping to maintain healthy and ecologically sound deer populations.”

 

The 2013 deer take included approximately 128,850 antlerless deer (adult females and fawns) and about 114,700 adult bucks (1.5 years or older), both estimates being within 4 percent of the 2012 take (see table below).  Hunters in the Northern Zone walked out of the woods with roughly 32,300 deer, including 19,500 adult bucks.  In the Southern Zone, excluding Long Island, hunters took 208,300 deer, including about 94,200 adult bucks. To compare these harvest estimates with other past seasons, go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.

 

This year marked New York’s second Youth Deer Hunt, held over Columbus Day Weekend.  During the Youth Deer Hunt, 14 and 15-year-old junior hunters could take one deer, antlered or antlerless, with a firearm when properly accompanied by a licensed and experienced adult mentor.  An estimated 8,860 junior hunters participated in the Youth Deer Hunt, resulting in 1,275 deer taken (728 adult bucks and 547 antlerless deer).  A photo gallery showcasing successful junior hunters is atwww.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/85926.html.

 

More Antlerless Deer Need to be Taken

This year’s harvest shows a continuing trend of concern to DEC deer managers. In many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), including portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains region of western New York, harvest trends indicate that deer populations are too high - above levels recommended by local stakeholder groups who live, hunt or manage land in those areas. Even with very liberal opportunities for take of antlerless deer, not enough females are being taken to reduce populations to desired levels. In these areas, DEC and hunters must begin considering new ways to the increase antlerless deer take to achieve deer populations that are compatible with ecosystem health and consistent with the public’s interests. 

 

Older Bucks Becoming a Larger Portion of Adult Buck Harvests

Hunters took a record number of bucks (approximately 55,300) aged 2.5 years or older in 2013. These older bucks, which many hunters desire, accounted for 48 percent of harvested adult bucks statewide in 2013, compared to only 33 percent (45,350) in 2000 when New York’s deer population peaked, and only 28 percent (about 33,000) in the early 1990s.  In part, this is influenced by the overall size of the deer population, which in much of the state is larger than desired.  Although mandatory antler restrictions in 11 WMUs in southeastern New York are a contributing factor, many New York hunters outside those areas are voluntarily choosing not to take young bucks, thereby letting these bucks get another year or two older before they are taken.

Deer harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful hunters, and DEC staff’s examination of nearly 16,200 harvested deer at check stations and meat processors.  Statewide harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources.   Much additional information about the 2013-14 deer harvests, including charts and maps describing the harvest, is available on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html.

 

Governor Cuomo’s 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.

In support of this initiative, this year's budget includes $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. 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 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.

 

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[burmjohn]

Charts on the DEC site are not up just yet, this press release just came out.

[Five Seasons]

I hate how many times Cuomos name appears in this.

[burmjohn]

Aye.  Also data is now up on the DEC site.

[Meat Manager]

Everything up over last year and above 5 yr average but buck take which could point to a trend in passing yearlings...just conjecture on my part.

Plenty of deer to be had...note 650,000 permits to take 99,000 baldies. So 1 in 6.5 DMPs get filled...I'll be attempting to fill all my tags again next season.

Wish there was a nuisance tag number to go along with the dmap numbers on the chart.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 24, 2014 by Meat Manager

[Doc]

I hate how many times Cuomos name appears in this.

Yes, the last two paragraphs sound like a Cuomo campaign ad.....lol.

[NFA-ADK]

Quote from above.

 

"More Antlerless Deer Need to be Taken

This year’s harvest shows a continuing trend of concern to DEC deer managers. In many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), including portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains region of western New York, harvest trends indicate that deer populations are too high - above levels recommended by local stakeholder groups who live, hunt or manage land in those areas. Even with very liberal opportunities for take of antlerless deer, not enough females are being taken to reduce populations to desired levels. In these areas, DEC and hunters must begin considering new ways to the increase antlerless deer take to achieve deer populations that are compatible with ecosystem health and consistent with the public’s interests."

 

This statement sounds like a prelude to a new sniper cull.  How about earn a buck program instead.  And how about the DEC informs the intentions before the season starts instead of after the season is over.  This might allow hunters to do what is needed instead of advising a "Cull" after the season is over. 

 

Example: in region X if less than 2000 doe are taken, a sniper cull will happen.  Web site would show successful hunters and how much is needed to hit the "mark".  Along with a earn a buck program.  Shoot X amount of doe and you get a extra buck tag?

[Doc]

When the County by County and Town by Town reports are tallied and published, I will have more interest in results. I simply cannot relate to  a Northern Zone and Southern Zone tally, or especially a total statewide report. It doesn't mean anything to me or actually to anyone. These things really only have local impacts.

[NFA-ADK]

So true Doc but at least Cuomo put in his two cents to keep us informed how well he is managing our land.  What would we do with out him?  I guess we would not have those adventure plates, dang!!!  Thankfully he is right on top of things that need attention!

 

[phade]

Pretty impressed with the % of 2.5 and older take. Considering much of the state is san-AR, that's actually pretty solid.

 

Not really sure what to do or say about the doe situation. I know I've REALLY slowed down on my desire to kill does. 5-10 years ago I'd fill every tag available in bow season and be left looking at my reg tag only come opening day. Now, if I take two does, I've taken alot. I'll be honest, I can kill them, I just don't feel like it. I'm the only member in my house that'll eat venison, so one deer a year will actually last me a long time. Plus, work and life come into play...not enough time to repeatedly process them. The other thing, it takes away my seat time from chasing a buck.

 

Education seems to be working on the buck ages. But, not for the does. Probably because its not all that tangible of a topic when looking at the local aspect.

[Meat Manager]

I agree with the main points expressed:

1. Hunters must choose to shoot more does (or deal with culls and red tags could be implied)

2. Hunters are starting to choose to pass on yearlings, this is a good trend.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 24, 2014 by Meat Manager

[phade]

I agree with the main points expressed: 1. Hunters must choose to shoot more does (or deal with culls could be implied) 2. Hunters are starting to choose to pass on yearlings, this is a good trend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Other than the outlier years, it's not "start"...the number has been in decline from a trend perspective for a while now. They are years past starting. This is starting to become impactful on a grand scale.

[Meat Manager]

Other than the outlier years, it's not "start"...the number has been in decline from a trend perspective for a while now. They are years past starting. This is starting to become impactful on a grand scale.

Ok parse my words. I was implying that the process was "starting" to have an impact.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thphm]

Everything up over last year and above 5 yr average but buck take which could point to a trend in passing yearlings...just conjecture on my part. Plenty of deer to be had...note 650,000 permits to take 99,000 baldies. So 1 in 6.5 DMPs get filled...I'll be attempting to fill all my tags again next season. from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wish there was a nuisance tag number to go along with the dmap numbers on the chart. Sent

You would be amazed if the really reported the Nuisance tag numbers( many not counnted ) + road Kill Numbers.

[Four Season Whitetail's]

Pretty impressed with the % of 2.5 and older take. Considering much of the state is san-AR, that's actually pretty solid.

 

Not really sure what to do or say about the doe situation. I know I've REALLY slowed down on my desire to kill does. 5-10 years ago I'd fill every tag available in bow season and be left looking at my reg tag only come opening day. Now, if I take two does, I've taken alot. I'll be honest, I can kill them, I just don't feel like it. I'm the only member in my house that'll eat venison, so one deer a year will actually last me a long time. Plus, work and life come into play...not enough time to repeatedly process them. The other thing, it takes away my seat time from chasing a buck.

 

Education seems to be working on the buck ages. But, not for the does. Probably because its not all that tangible of a topic when looking at the local aspect.

The 2.5 year old stats are good because of the opening date of the southern zone last year. Dont you think more adults are going to be killed in the middle of the rut rather than the end? Look at the dates of opening day the last couple years. A week during the rut can make a huge difference in the age class of bucks taken!

[Qthehunter]

I just don't understand the take more antlerless deer statement.

 

I can only speak for myself.  I actually WANT to harvest more does, for meat as well as herd management.  The DEC rarely gives me more than one dmp tag in 4Y where we have a buck to doe ratio of probably 1 to 12 where I hunt.  It's ridiculous.  

[Doc]

I just don't understand the take more antlerless deer statement.

 

I can only speak for myself.  I actually WANT to harvest more does, for meat as well as herd management.  The DEC rarely gives me more than one dmp tag in 4Y where we have a buck to doe ratio of probably 1 to 12 where I hunt.  It's ridiculous.  

Yeah, that's where my comment about waiting for the town by town reports came from. It is very difficult for the DEC to come out with all-encompassing statewide reports with statewide comments. There are always some places that just don't hang with the average situations. You obviously hunt in one of those. The real thing to pay attention to is the permit allocations prior to next season. That's really what all this finally means to each individual hunter.

[nyantler]

Pretty impressed with the % of 2.5 and older take. Considering much of the state is san-AR, that's actually pretty solid.

 

Not really sure what to do or say about the doe situation. I know I've REALLY slowed down on my desire to kill does. 5-10 years ago I'd fill every tag available in bow season and be left looking at my reg tag only come opening day. Now, if I take two does, I've taken alot. I'll be honest, I can kill them, I just don't feel like it. I'm the only member in my house that'll eat venison, so one deer a year will actually last me a long time. Plus, work and life come into play...not enough time to repeatedly process them. The other thing, it takes away my seat time from chasing a buck.

 

Education seems to be working on the buck ages. But, not for the does. Probably because its not all that tangible of a topic when looking at the local aspect.

I usually donate a doe or two to the venison donation drive... nice thing is the butcher takes it and processes it... all you do is drop it off... it's tax deductible too.

[Meat Manager]

I just don't understand the take more antlerless deer statement.

I can only speak for myself. I actually WANT to harvest more does, for meat as well as herd management. The DEC rarely gives me more than one dmp tag in 4Y where we have a buck to doe ratio of probably 1 to 12 where I hunt. It's ridiculous.

DMPs are not handed out to balance the herd but to reduce it, so they must feel 4y is not overpopulated.

Although I believe your personal experience it seems to be the exception rather than the rule statewide.

Both anecdotally and statistically guys eat tags way more often than fill them (1 in 6.5 DMPs filled).

Besides holdouts of the outdated mindset of not shooting does ever, many guys wait until late season when it's harder to score or they don't want to "sacrifice" buck hunting time.

All of these mindsets and tactics disregard a hunters responsibility to manage populations.

The DECs message is simple (and I agree):

Fill antler-less tags early and often or snipers and farmers will be shooting your giants bald at midnight in May.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 25, 2014 by Meat Manager

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Pretty impressed with the % of 2.5 and older take. Considering much of the state is san-AR, that's actually pretty solid.

 

Not really sure what to do or say about the doe situation. I know I've REALLY slowed down on my desire to kill does. 5-10 years ago I'd fill every tag available in bow season and be left looking at my reg tag only come opening day. Now, if I take two does, I've taken alot. I'll be honest, I can kill them, I just don't feel like it. I'm the only member in my house that'll eat venison, so one deer a year will actually last me a long time. Plus, work and life come into play...not enough time to repeatedly process them. The other thing, it takes away my seat time from chasing a buck.

 

Education seems to be working on the buck ages. But, not for the does. Probably because its not all that tangible of a topic when looking at the local aspect.

You drop them , I will take them. Never too much sausage.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Culvercreek hunt club

[Larry]

the dec has the town by town break down on there web site

[Five Seasons]

Pretty impressed with the % of 2.5 and older take. Considering much of the state is san-AR, that's actually pretty solid.

 

Not really sure what to do or say about the doe situation. I know I've REALLY slowed down on my desire to kill does. 5-10 years ago I'd fill every tag available in bow season and be left looking at my reg tag only come opening day. Now, if I take two does, I've taken alot. I'll be honest, I can kill them, I just don't feel like it. I'm the only member in my house that'll eat venison, so one deer a year will actually last me a long time. Plus, work and life come into play...not enough time to repeatedly process them. The other thing, it takes away my seat time from chasing a buck.

 

Education seems to be working on the buck ages. But, not for the does. Probably because its not all that tangible of a topic when looking at the local aspect.

 

I try to fill at least 2 tags. I could be ok and eat all the venison if I filled 3, giving some to friends and family. But it's just my dad and mom in addition to us and if he kills 2 we just have too much. I always buy my dmp's... but I've only filled 1 in the last 7 years. Something I'm working on changing.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Quote from above.

 

"More Antlerless Deer Need to be Taken

This year’s harvest shows a continuing trend of concern to DEC deer managers. In many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), including portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains region of western New York, harvest trends indicate that deer populations are too high - above levels recommended by local stakeholder groups who live, hunt or manage land in those areas. Even with very liberal opportunities for take of antlerless deer, not enough females are being taken to reduce populations to desired levels. In these areas, DEC and hunters must begin considering new ways to the increase antlerless deer take to achieve deer populations that are compatible with ecosystem health and consistent with the public’s interests."

 

This statement sounds like a prelude to a new sniper cull.  How about earn a buck program instead.  And how about the DEC informs the intentions before the season starts instead of after the season is over.  This might allow hunters to do what is needed instead of advising a "Cull" after the season is over. 

 

Example: in region X if less than 2000 doe are taken, a sniper cull will happen.  Web site would show successful hunters and how much is needed to hit the "mark".  Along with a earn a buck program.  Shoot X amount of doe and you get a extra buck tag?

 

Possibly, but that type of an EAB program would do more harm than good IMO. They should get rid of the either sex tag and go to a one buck per season rule. They also need to get rid of that either sex tag because the doe can be taken anywhere in the state. Hand out DMPs only based on the need to take antlerless in each WMU. Between that and the new crossbow inclusion and setback changes, I bet we would see the numbers trend toward where they want them to be. Well, maybe not everywhere, but in some places.

 

[Five Seasons]

DMPs are not handed out to balance the herd but to reduce it, so they must feel 4y is not overpopulated. Although I believe your personal experience it seems to be the exception rather than the rule statewide. Both anecdotally and statistically guys eat tags way more often than fill them (1 in 6.5 DMPs filled). Besides holdouts of the outdated mindset of not shooting does ever, many guys wait until late season when it's harder to score or they don't want to "sacrifice" buck hunting time. All of these mindsets and tactics disregard a hunters responsibility to manage populations. The DECs message is simple (and I agree): Fill antler-less tags early and often or snipers and farmers will be shooting your giants bald at midnight in May. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

ehh. Sans downstate that's not going to happen. I support your stance on a hunters responsibility, but disagree with it. I hunt how I hunt because I want to hunt that way. The same argument you all make for crossbows and against ARs. I'll shoot what I want as well. Put down and alienate the horn hunters and you'll find the industry that falls off the cliff.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Belo, if you really want to hunt better bucks, you have to do your part to keep the herd in balance. Think of all of the nutrition going to the overpopulation of does that could be going to more of your bucks, and therefore helping them to grow better racks.