This is a question to the guys who hunt in the Catskills

[Larry]

This is a question to the guys who hunt in the Catskills. With the habitat being more like the Adirondacks would it be better to manage the deer herd more like that in the northern zone, or remove region 3 and part of 4 out of the southern zone and make it its own zone. This is just a question for my own info I don’t hunt there.

[nyantler]

actually the habitat isn't like the adirondacks at all.. not nearly as vast.

[Mr VJP]

Though the lands in the Catskill Park itself are very similar to areas of the ADK Mtns, the climate isn't as cold, the amount of acreage is less and the amount of activity is higher, due to its closer proximity to populated NYC.  Based on past history, I believe the way the DEC currently manages the deer herd in the Catskill Park is the correct way to do it.

[nyantler]

the tough part about the adk's is that they are so vast.. that much of it doesn't get hunted at all. Deer density is very sparse with bucks ranging much farther than all other hunting spots in NY. ADK Park is its own breed!

[MountainHunter]

I have never hunted the Adirondacks,but I have hunted the catskills my entire life. The deer densities in the high peaks regions are terrible. The bear and the coyotes have devastated the deer numbers. Combine that with no logging permitted on state land and you have a quality of hunting that has deteriorated dramatically.

[Larry]

thanks for the replies

[nyantler]

I have never hunted the Adirondacks,but I have hunted the catskills my entire life. The deer densities in the high peaks regions are terrible. The bear and the coyotes have devastated the deer numbers. Combine that with no logging permitted on state land and you have a quality of hunting that has deteriorated dramatically.

Scot.. i'm curious how you know that the bear and coyotes have devastated the deer herd

[MountainHunter]

Are you asking if I can prove it scientifically? If so I cannot. I know what I see and have seen. Bear and coyote numbers that have exploded. In the high peaks around us you will see more coyotes and bear than deer,even in very good mast years like this past. The maturation of the forest in the absence of logging and they dramatic increase in those two predators numbers are what I believe have most significantly contributed to the decline in the deer numbers in our high peaks regions.

You are welcome to take a walk on snow with me,let's see how many deer  tracks we cut up high.

[Mr VJP]

Scot, deer will leave the high peaks in the winter when the snow gets deep and the temps drop, so you won't find many deer tracks in there in the late winter.  Deer will yard up in deep snow to pack it down and prevent it from constantly cooling their chest area and putting too much strain on their heart.  They will simultaneously move to good feeding areas.

The question is, are there deer in the high peaks of the Catskills during the November deer season?  I believe there are, but at lower densities than the surrounding farm areas, simply due to the amount of land available to roam and the lesser amount of food it supplies for deer.

I believe the coyote population in the high peaks needs to be controlled because it is having a negative impact on the deer herd, as well as the turkey flocks, but I'm not sure the black bear population has that big an impact.

[MountainHunter]

VJP, I knew someone would feel it necessary to point out the obvious. I mean no disrespect,but as soon as I typed it I wondered if I should have indicated I was talking about snow occurring during the open season. I have walked miles in the open season on snow in area's where deer have been abundant in the past and have not cut tracks and I have done this in several high peaks area's.

Every area has it's own elements as it relates to whether that particular area holds deer or not,this is some thing I am well aware of. There is no one from another area who is going to tell me what is going on in area's I frequent. If any one wishes to walk with me on snow in November or December they are more than welcome to. I have hunted these mountains for years and I have many close friends and aquantainces that have done and do so as well. I will trust my own experiences and those that I know.

[Vinootz]

On 3/2/2011 at 10:10 AM, MountainHunter said:

VJP, I knew someone would feel it necessary to point out the obvious. I mean no disrespect,but as soon as I typed it I wondered if I should have indicated I was talking about snow occurring during the open season. I have walked miles in the open season on snow in area's where deer have been abundant in the past and have not cut tracks and I have done this in several high peaks area's.

Every area has its own elements as it relates to whether that particular area holds deer or not,this is some thing I am well aware of. There is no one from another area who is going to tell me what is going on in area's I frequent. If any one wishes to walk with me on snow in November or December they are more than welcome to. I have hunted these mountains for years and I have many close friends and aquantainces that have done and do so as well. I will trust my own experiences and those that I know.

Adirondack deer are more sparse. Catskill region has more density of : nourishment , diversity in the food supply nature provides. Like in Pocono,PA region below. However, Adirondack deer can be large; even with slimmer pickings. Likely the result of lower temperatures. 
 

Not 100% sure though. Lol