From the December 2005 issue

Big Game Hunting Continues

Last month, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan announced the starts of the 2005 Southern Zone regular deer season, and Catskill and Allegany regular bear seasons. In the Southern Zone, big game season lasts until December 20 for archers and muzzle-loading rifle hunters.

"During the 2004 season, hunters harvested more than 208,000 deer in New York and this year, many WMUs continue to provide considerable opportunities to harvest antlerless deer," Commissioner Sheehan said. "Deer hunting is a long-standing tradition and an important part of New York's outdoor heritage. I wish all hunters a safe and enjoyable season."

Regular Seasons

Bear season ends December 11
in the Southern Zone - photo
courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife

The Southern Zone includes most of upstate New York outside of the Northern Zone, except for Westchester County. In the Northern Zone, which generally includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys, regular deer and bear hunting season opened October 22 and closes December 4.

The 2005 regular deer hunting season has been open since November 19 in New York State's Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting has been open since November 21, in the Catskill Mountains and November 26, in the Allegany region in western New York. Regular Southern Zone big game hunting season closes at sunset on Sunday, December 11.

Specific descriptions of areas that are open for bear and deer hunting, as well as other seasonal regulations, are listed in the 2005-06 DEC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (see "Related Links" below).

Late Seasons

Immediately following the regular season, late archery and muzzle-loading seasons for deer and bear open December 12 and close at sunset on December 20. Hunters taking part in either of the late seasons must possess either bow-hunting or muzzle-loading privileges. Late special season hunters may use their bow-hunting and muzzle-loading tags, and they may also take a deer of either sex with an unused regular season big game tag. Unused deer management permits (DMP) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer.

A late muzzle-loading season will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from December 5 to December 11, 2005. The specific wildlife management units (WMUs) open for muzzle-loader hunting in the Northern Zone are outlined in the 2005-06 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide and on the DEC website (see "Related Links" below).

Regulatory Changes

The 2005 hunting season marks the adoption of several new regulatory changes regarding season structure and timing. The opening day of the Southern Zone regular deer season has been changed from a Monday to a Saturday. This change specifically provides opening day hunting opportunities for young hunters and others who are unable to take time off from work during the week. Saturday becomes the standard opening day for the early archery season in the Southern Zone accomplishing similar benefits for bow hunters. Extending the late archery and muzzle-loader seasons to nine days affords greater hunting opportunity and consistency with late deer hunting. It is hoped that this expanded opportunity will be actively embraced by young hunters.

New Pilot Program

To expand the age structure of the
buck population, a pilot program
for WMUs 3C and 3J will require
that hunters may only take bucks
with at least one antler with
three points or more at least
one inch in length

Also, a pilot program intended to expand the age structure of the buck population and better balance the sex ratio will be implemented in two WMUs located primarily in Ulster County. The program is based upon a strong, local initiative and will serve as a learning experience for both DEC and New York deer hunters. The pilot antler restriction program will require that bucks taken in WMUs 3C and 3J have at least one antler with three points (or more) which are each at least one inch in length. This proposal is similar to successful alternative harvest programs implemented in other states.

These new regulations apply to the regular season, and the archery and muzzle-loader seasons in these two WMUs. Young hunters under the age of 17, are exempt from this regulation and may continue to take a buck with an antler at least three inches in length. A reduction in the buck take in each of these units during this initial year of implementation is expected, however it is anticipated that the total buck harvest will return to previous levels with a greater percentage of two-and-one-half year old bucks in future years.

Southern Zone Rifles

Hunters are reminded that new portions of the Southern Zone are now open to hunting with rifles. The law, which was signed by Governor Pataki in early September, allows center-fire rifles to be used during the regular hunting season in the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie, and Tioga. Hunters should be aware that the new law does not affect hunting with rifles in Broome County. Rifles may be used in the easternmost portion of the county as in past years. However, the new law does not allow the use of rifles in any new areas of Broome County.

Chronic Wasting Disease

DEC is continuing efforts to monitor the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) which was detected in five captive deer and two wild deer in Oneida County in April, 2005. For the upcoming hunting season, a mandatory deer check and testing procedure will be in effect for all deer taken by hunters in the Oneida-Madison County CWD Containment Area. Hunters should consult the 2005-06 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, or visit the CWD page on DEC's website for more information (see "Related Links" below).

Assume Control from Trigger to Target and Beyond

Commissioner Sheehan encourages hunters to follow a few basic firearm safety rules that can prevent virtually all hunting related shooting incidents.

Safety-conscious hunters can
significantly reduce the number
of firearms-related injuries

Assume every gun is loaded.
Control the muzzle - Point in a safe direction.
Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Be sure of your target and beyond.
Wear Hunter Orange. YOU control where others shoot!

For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2005-06 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. The guide is published annually and is available free from 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.

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