Environment DEC
From the October 2007 issue
Northern Zone Big Game Seasons in Progress, Longer Catskill Bear Season Proposed
Bow hunting for deer has been in progress since the end of SeptemberEarly black bear season in the state's Northern Zone has been in progress since mid-September and continues through October 12 in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). Hunters have been enjoying the opportunity to get an early start in the woods while the weather is mild. Dry weather conditions this summer limited production of late summer foods such as berries and apples, so bears will be active in their search for food. Early season hunters should have good prospects for success if they can locate food resources in use by bears.
Brief Seasons Overview
Hunters may use rifles, shotguns, bows and muzzleloaders during the early bear season. After October 1, a 2007-08 license and bear tag are required. Hunters should check the New York Hunting and Trapping 2007-08 Official Regulations Guide for additional specifics-note that the printed guide has several errors in it. Find a complete list of corrections at the New York Hunting and Trapping Guide web page.
Bow hunting season for deer and bear in the Northern Zone is also in progress since late September and runs until October 19, 2007. Deer Management Permits are not valid for use during any portion of the Northern Zone Bow Hunting Season.
Muzzle-loading seasons for deer and bear in the Northern Zone run from October 13 through October 19, 2007. Once again, hunters should check the hunting guide for open WMUs for bears. With the exception of WMU 6N, which is open for antlered deer only, the entire Northern Zone is open to deer of either sex during this season. Hunters must have a 2007-08 big game license and muzzle-loading privileges to hunt during this season, and both the bow/muzzleloader either-sex tags, and bow/muzzleloader antlerless tags may be used.
Proposal to Lengthen Catskill Bear Season
Populations of black bears continue to increase
The regular black bear hunting season in the Catskill Mountains region would be lengthened by two days at the start of this fall's season-commencing on the same day (Nov. 17) as deer season-under new regulations proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The regulation would apply to specially designated Wildlife Management Units in all or parts of Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Greene, Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Otsego, Herkimer, Madison, Delaware, Chenango and Broome counties. See the Big Game Hunting web page for a link to a map of the Catskill bear hunting area.
Over the last decade, DEC has documented an increasing trend in farm and property damage from high numbers of bears. A related trend has been the dramatic increase in "home entry" incidents (black bears breaking into a residence to look for food) over the last five years. The recently updated report, Black Bears in New York: Natural History, Range, and Interactions with People, shows that black bear population and range has increased steadily since 1995. See the Black Bear Management web page for a link to the report.
To Comment
Public comments on the DEC's proposal will be accepted until Oct. 22 and may be sent via e-mail or regular mail to: Jeremy Hurst, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754; jehurst@gw.dec.state.ny.us (Please type"Bear Hunting" into the subject line of the e-mail.)
Report Your Bear Harvest
DEC asks successful bear hunters to report their harvest and submit a portion of the lower jaw or a tooth to help determine the age of the bear and assist in ongoing bear population studies. A collection packet with a postage-paid return envelope and tooth extraction instructions will be mailed to each hunter that reports a bear harvest. Hunters who report a bear take and submit a tooth sample will receive a 2007 NYSDEC Bear Management Cooperator Patch.
