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By 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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By burmjohn
Under Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that the 2013 regular deer and bear hunting seasons open at sunrise on Saturday, November 16, in New York's Southern Zone. These big game seasons close at sunset onSunday, December 8.
“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 Commissioner Martens. “I wish all hunters a safe and successful season.”
The Southern Zone Regular Season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters. Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30-60 percent of the statewide bear harvest. With the October 1 start to the bow season in the Southern Zone and a special Youth Firearms Deer Hunt over Columbus Day Weekend, many big game hunters have already enjoyed fruitful hunts.
Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will open at sunrise on December 9 and close at sunset on December 17. 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 opened October 26 and will close at sunset on December 8. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late archery and muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone fromDecember 9 to December 15.
Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.
Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes when they go afield for the 2013 regular hunting season.
· Rifles authorized for Ontario and Wayne counties: New legislation allows the use of rifles for big game hunting in Ontario and Wayne counties, until October 1, 2015. See “Rifle, Shotgun, and Bow Areas” at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html for other areas where rifles can be used.
· Crossbows: Crossbows are no longer a legal implement for big game hunting in New York.
· Help Protect New York Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): To keep potentially infectious material out of New York, hunters are prohibited from bringing whole deer carcasses and some carcass parts into New York from any state or province with CWD, now including Pennsylvania. Find the details for CWD Regulations for Hunters (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8325.html) and read more about how to prevent the spread of CWD at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7507.html.
· Deer Management Focus Area in Tompkins County: This program will continue to assist communities in the Ithaca area with the burden of overabundant deer populations. See “Deer Management Focus Areas” at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/82382.html for information and registration.
Reducing Harvest of Young Bucks: Mandatory antler restrictions (bucks must have at least 3 points on one side) are in effect in WMUs 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, and 4W during all seasons for all hunters 17 years and older. Many hunters in other areas are voluntarily choosing not to take young, small-antlered bucks, thereby allowing most of these bucks to live another year, get a bit bigger and grow slightly larger antlers. Through the personal choice of thousands of hunters, we’ve seen a shift in the annual buck harvest to include an increasing number and percentage of older bucks. For more information see “Voluntary Antler Restrictions” at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html#Voluntary. Junior Hunters: Junior Hunters (14 and 15 years old) can hunt deer and bear with a firearm when appropriately accompanied by an experienced adult. See the “Junior Hunter Mentoring” webpage at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html for program requirements and to download the Mentored Youth Hunter Permission Form. Harvest Reporting: All successful hunters are required to report their harvest of deer and bear within 7 days. Failure to report harvested deer or bear is a violation of NYS Environmental Conservation Law. Hunters may report via DEC’s online reporting system at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html or by calling the toll-free automated reporting system at 1-866-GAME-RPT (1-866-426-3778). Black Bear Tooth Collection: Successful bear hunters are asked to submit a tooth of their bear so DEC can age the bear and monitor bear population dynamics. See Bear Tooth Collection at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html for instructions. Venison Donation: Hunters are encouraged to participate in the Venison Donation program (http://www.venisondonation.com/). By obtaining permits and donating ones deer, hunters help accomplish the needed deer management and can feed less fortunate families. 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 hunting safety tips available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html and pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents including:
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 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide
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By burmjohn
I never can seem to remember to update my journal, however lets give it another shot for 2013.
First off, I can't believe its here already. I did *some* minor work off season this year, time was tight with work and a newborn added to the family. I did get to work on a few of my treestands. My wood platform stand is almost done, and I tossed up a new bow only stand.
The bow only stand is off a nice deer trail with lots of activity, hoping to bring in a closer shot for bow season. I will not be using this stand for rifle, it has limited views and the neighbors rifle hunt. One of their stands is about 150 yards away, right on the property line of course.
Heading up this Thursday night for my Bow opener!
The "almost done" platform stand
The new hanging station:
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By HuntingNY
Twas the night before bow season, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The bowstrings where waxed and in their cases with care, In hopes that deer season would soon be there. The Northern Zone already had their early bow season kick off on Sept. 27th, the Southern Zone kicks off tomorrow, October 1st. We want to wish everyone a successful and safe hunting season, let us know how opening week / weekend goes!
We wanted to point out a few important threads on the HuntingNY.com site to check out.
The 2013 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up and ready for posting live action from the woods. -> http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/18330-live-from-the-stand-woods-2013/
As always there are some amazing trailcamera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few weeks -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/
http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/18332-what-have-you-done-this-year-to-prepare-for-the-2013-season/ - What have you done this year to prepare for the 2013 season. Jump on and let us know!
If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 237,000 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this link.
If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.
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By HuntingNY
Wow, time flies , its that time of the year again! Bow season starts in less then a month. I hope everyone had an fun summer, had time to shoot your bows, sight in your rifles, setup their stands and get everything ready for this season.
We wanted to point out a few important threads on the HuntingNY.com site to check out.
The 2013 "Live From the Stand / Woods" thread is up and ready for posting live action from the woods. -> http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/18330-live-from-the-stand-woods-2013/
As always there are some amazing trailcamera photos up, some real nice deer have been posted over the last few weeks -> http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/23-trail-camera-pictures/
We just posted up a new topic, http://huntingny.com/forums/topic/18332-what-have-you-done-this-year-to-prepare-for-the-2013-season/ - What have you done this year to prepare for the 2013 season. Jump on and let us know!
There are a ton of new threads to read over in the Bow Hunting section to get you ready for the season opener, http://huntingny.com/forums/forum/16-bow-hunting/
If you are a Facebook user, please give us a "Like" our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HuntingNY and help spread the word. The site has grown leaps and bounds since started, there are over 232,478 posts as of today! Please remember to tell friends and family about the site, you can even forward them this email / link.
If you have a hunting related business (ex. hunting store / archery shop), hunting club or organization, or a hunting related website you want to share with members we have opened up a link sharing system here: http://huntingny.com/links Just select the category and click "Add Link" on the right side of the page.
If you have any interest in sponsoring the site you can contact us by using the contact form located here:http://huntingny.com/forums/index.php?app=contactus
Thank you
HuntingNY.com
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