Big Game Briefs: January - September 2005

HIGHLIGHTS

Big Game Season Changes in the Southern Zone for 2005

The opening day of the Southern Zone regular deer season has been changed from Monday to Saturday. The season will close on a Sunday. This change allows young hunters and others who are unable to take time off from work or school to hunt on opening day. DEC hopes this opportunity will be actively embraced by young hunters. Other changes include opening the archery season on the third Saturday in October, and extending the late archery and muzzleloader season to nine days.

Also, a pilot program to expand the age structure of the buck population will be implemented in WMUs 3C and 3J, located primarily in Ulster County (see Antler Restriction Pilot Study for more details).

Specific Southern Zone changes are as follows:

Early Archery Season - First Saturday in October after Columbus Day to the day before the Regular Season. For 2005: October 15 through November 18.

Regular Deer Season - Third Saturday in November for 23 days. Closes on a Sunday. For 2005: November 19 - December 11.

Black Bear Regular Seasons - Catskill Range: November 21 - December 11. Allegany Range: November 26 - December 11.

Late Archery and Muzzleloader Seasons - First day after the close of the regular season running for nine days. For 2005: December 12 - December 20 (Any remaining tags are valid).

Antler Restriction Pilot Study - WMUs 3C and 3J (all seasons). Limits harvest of antlered deer to those with at least three antler points on one side. Smaller antlered bucks cannot be taken. Hunters under the age of 17 are exempt and may take a buck with an antler or antlers measuring three inches or more in length.

CWD Related Activity

The unfortunate occurrence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) found on two Oneida County deer farms, triggered an intensive sampling effort to determine whether the wild herd was infected. During the month of April, DEC wildlife staff, with assistance from USDA-Wildlife Services, collected a sample of 290 deer from the western Oneida, northern Madison County area. Two wild deer were determined to be infected with CWD. We are now engaged in an effort to determine the extent of CWD within the herd, and to contain or reduce the disease within the affected area. Since April, all roadkill deer in the containment area have been collected and tested (no new CWD cases). For the upcoming hunting season, a mandatory deer check and testing procedure will be in effect for all deer taken by hunters in the containment area. Hunters should consult 2005-06 Hunting syllabus, or visit the CWD page on DEC's website for more information .

In September, DEC conducted a series of 22 public meetings to discuss DEC response efforts to the discovery of CWD in New York and the upcoming sampling to occur during the hunting season. The meetings were held around the state and attended by 550 people.

Personnel Changes

Region 3 Deer biologist, Scott Smith, has taken a lateral transfer to the Bath office in Region 8 where he will work with furbearers and upland gamebirds. He has been replaced by Mike Putnam, who transferred from Region 1.

Dick Henry, former Big Game Biologist in Central Office, has accepted a promotion to Wildlife Manager in Region 4. He has been replaced by Jeremy Hurst, a recent graduate of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 1

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 1

Deer Damage

To date the Region has issued 104 Deer Damage Permits. Activity has been consistent with 2004, when there were 107 permits issued by this date. As the land in Suffolk County continues to be developed, the ability for hunters and shooters to take deer with Deer Damage Permits is becoming more difficult because of the firearm discharge ordinances, landowner attitudes toward hunting and the issue of accessing private land.

2004-05 Winter Conditions and Mortality

This past winter had the second greatest snow fall on record in Suffolk County. Brookhaven National Laboratory has kept records of snow fall since 1949, and they recorded that 75.5 inches of snow fell this past winter. The record of 90.8 inches was set during the winter of 1995 - 96. The average snow fall per year since 1949 is 31.1 inches. It is believed that these conditions were directly responsible for the death of three deer which were sent to the pathology lab for testing, with all animals being diagnosed as winter related mortalities.

REGION 3

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 3

Deer Damage

Although the issuance of damage permits is only slightly higher than last year at this time (297 compared to 287), fewer carcass tags have been issued in response to the lower deer population in many areas.

Discovery of Echinococcus granulosus

Regional wildlife staff collected a dead whitetail doe in the town of Thompson, Sullivan County, during the end of March. The behavior of the deer before it died, as described by local residents, led to the carcass being submitted to pathology for examination. Post mortem examination revealed large, numerous cysts on the lungs and kidneys caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This is the first time this species of tapeworm has been documented in NY. Five additional deer samples were collected from the area, none of which contained the parasite.

The adult portion of this parasite's life-cycle is typically spent in canids (coyotes). Eggs are shed with the feces. Herbivores (deer) ingest the eggs which then hatch and burrow thru the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Ultimately, they attach to a major organ (liver, lungs, kidney, brain) and develop into a cyst. The cysts develop into adult worms after being ingested by a canid, which has predated or scavenged the herbivore. The tapeworm rarely caused serious problems for the infected deer but the meat is not affected. The cysts can cause problems in humans (Hydatid disease) who have accidentally ingested the eggs. Therefore hunters and trappers who handle coyotes (there could be eggs on the coyotes fur) should use appropriate caution. There is no concern of infection from this tapeworn while handling or eating venison.

The DEC will be collecting coyote carcasses. from the area this fall and winter to see if the parasite is present in that population.

Urban Deer

The Regional Deer Biologist gave a presentation to the village of Dobbs Ferry in Westchester county on the challenges associated with increased urban deer populations.

DMAP

Applications for 2005 were sent out to all 2004 Deer Management Assistance Permit (DMAP) recipients who reported their success in 2004.

BLACK BEAR

Nuisance complaints for 2005 totaled 141 as of July 5. That is 17% below the former three year average of 170 complaints. It is 34% below the total for 2004 and 16% below that of 2003. It is still 12% above the total for 2002 to the same date.

Since the last issue of Big Game Briefs in October, Region 3 has placed GPS collars on three bears as part of its "Behavior and Fate of Relocated Nuisance Black Bears" study. One of these turned up under mysterious circumstances, while the other two are still active. The two GPS collars that were placed on bears in 2004 resulted in one being returned when the bear was harvested and the other being replaced by a VHF collar at the den. A progress report on this study should be complete this fall.

Two additional VHF collars were placed on sows in Region 3 this spring. One was on a yearling that had been discovered an emaciated state. This yearling was held at our Delmar office until its condition improved (it nearly doubled its weight in a month). The second collar was placed on a sow that had to be removed from a tree at a residence in Woodstock. The sow managed to get above an electric line that was used to hang birdfeeders and to deter bears from the feeders. This resulted in the sow being conditioned to stay up the tree, even after the wires were removed. Multiple attempts to haze her out of the tree including the use of fire hoses and rubber buckshot (shot above her in the tree) and leaving her alone for the night, were unsuccessful. Failing other attempts to remove the bear she was drugged and fitted with a radio collar. Unfortunately, she was able to remove her collar within hours after her release.

Region 3's increased educational outreach efforts to help reduce human-bear conflicts are well underway with a new brochure. Other methods of media outreach being used: posters, refrigerator magnets, billboards, "bearometers" and lawn signs (see our web site [http://www.dec.state.ny.us] for an illustration). These new materials were developed by Wildlife staff and Meredith Gore, a PhD student from Cornell University who is studying the effect of the increased educational outreach effort on the frequency and severity of bear related problems in the Catskills. Meredith is actively dispersing materials in Warwick and Woodstock to help determine the most effective methods of reducing nuisance bear problems.

REGION 4

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 4

Deer Damage

The number of Deer Damage Permits issued in the first half of the year declined again. A total of 35 damage permits have been issued through the month of June, compared to 44 permits issued for the same time period in 2004. Thirteen permits were issued to orchards and 11 permits went to truck farms. With one exception in Schoharie County, all of the permits were issued in counties that border the Hudson River. Columbia county had 16 permits, followed by Albany County (8), Rensselaer County (6), and Green County (4).

2005 Moose Activity

Over the last few years it appears that a few moose have taken up residence east of the Hudson River in Rensselaer County and are occasionally seen in Columbia County as well. While moose have periodically wandered through the western portion of the Region they usually do not stick around for long.

This summer we have received multiple reports of moose in Albany, Schoharie, and Schenectady Counties. The location, timing and descriptions from these reports indicate that at least two or three different animals seem to be sticking around. We encourage the public to continue reporting moose sightings in these areas by calling the Regional office at 518-357-2070 ext 4.

BLACK BEAR

A total of 110 nuisance bear complaints and observations have been reported as of July 11. Last year, a total of 134 complaints and observations had been reported for this period.

Three bears were shot in three separate incidents in May. One was killed raiding beehives in Columbia County. One was killed by a resident of a Rensselaer County town as it tried to enter his home. The third was shot by ECO staff in a suburban Rensselear County town.

A Delaware County bear was breaking thru weak spots in a fence around a herd of domestic deer, presumably attracted to bulk feeders. Concerns about escaping domestic deer led wildlife staff to set a trap. No bear was captured. The owner of the farm is attempting to keep the fence in better shape. Wildlife staff will meet with local police department staff in the Village of Hunter this month to discuss our SOP and other concerns about bears in the village.

REGION 5

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 5

2004-05 Winter Conditions and Mortality

The winter of 2004-05 was relatively mild, with lower than average snow depths and average temperatures. These conditions allowed deer to stay away from the core areas of deer yards and remain in hardwood areas with access to good browse, carrying them through periods of extreme cold. Deer were observed in open hardwoods far from wintering areas throughout the winter. Dead deer surveys conducted this spring showed few winter losses throughout the Region. Accordingly, muzzleloading season regulations are unchanged, allowing the harvest of deer of either sex in all units in Region 5.

BLACK BEAR

NUISANCE COMPLAINTS

Ample rain, allowing preferred bear food plants to flourish, has led to relatively few bear complaints this spring. We have fielded the usual complaints about bears raiding bird feeders and garbage cans, but thus far have not received any complaints about more aggressive behaviors such as home or vehicle break-ins.

HIGH PEAKS BEAR STUDY

A two-year study of nuisance bears in the High Peaks Wilderness Area in Essex County began in May of 2004 and will continue this summer. The purpose of the study is to learn the daily and seasonal movements of bears using the area, assess the effectiveness of aversive conditioning techniques, and to develop recommendations for the prevention of nuisance problems. Last summer, three bears were caught in foot snares, immobilized, and fitted with GPS collars to monitor their movements and locations. Another bear was treed using a volunteer houndsman and also fitted with a GPS collar. Of these four collared bears, one was killed by a hunter in the early bear season in 2004, one slipped out of its collar, and another's collar apparently failed. Trapping has begun for this summer with the addition of two culvert traps which were flown in over the winter.

Initial results from the data retrieved from the GPS collars shows that one male bear, which was hazed after being caught, moved about 30 miles away from the capture site, then returned two weeks later and continued to raid campers' food. This was the bear that was shot by a hunter. The other bears, none of which received hazing after capture, stayed in close proximity to the capture sites. Bear sighting forms collected from campers have shown that of those campers who had bear encounters, eighty percent who hung their food from a tree lost it to bears, compared to fifty percent who used DEC bear cables, and only one camper who lost food using a bear-resistant canister (in that case the canister lid was not properly fastened).

REGION 6

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 6

Deer Damage

With lower deer numbers than in the past few years, deer damage complaints have also been relatively few through the first half of 2005. Thirteen deer damage permits were issued to farmers during the period, for damage to Christmas trees, new seeding of forage crops, and vegetables. In 2004, we issued 62 permits for the entire year, down from a peak of 150 in 2000. Although agricultural deer damage complaints will likely increase during the second half of the year, overall totals will most probably be lower than in 2004.

2004-05 Winter Conditions and Mortality

The winter of 2004-05 provided a significant break to deer compared to previous winters. Although snowfall totals in

many areas were still substantial, very limited depth accumulation occurred before early February. Thawing conditions in mid March contributed to a rapid snow melt, resulting in a short duration of critical snow depth. Overall reports of winter deer losses were few.

BLACK BEAR

Region 6 nuisance bear complaints have been fairly light the last month. A few complaints are coming from traditional hot spots within the Region (Old Forge). There were some natural movements of several bears through the Mohawk Valley which generated phone calls and local news coverage. No incidents were reported with the animals. Regional staff removed a small yearling male from a rehabilitator and released it into southern Herkimer County. One bear was destroyed by a homeowner who felt threatened. He was ticketed for taking the bear.

REGION 7

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 7

King Ferry QDM Project

After a four year run, the King Ferry Quality Deer Management (QDM) project has come to a close. Diminishing staff numbers and other program priorities lead to a decision to shut the project down. While the deer population changes that could have been achieved under a QDM harvest strategy may not have been fully realized, the staff that worked on the project learned a great deal about deer and deer hunters during the project.

BLACK BEAR

Collared Bear Returns

A bear removed from under an empty home in Vestal in January and relocated over 80 miles to the west has worked its way back to Vestal. The bear's adventures included being hit by a car on Route 17 near where it was released and raids on many bird feeders. It continues to hit bird feeders in the Owego area, but as yet has not caused serious problems.

Stakeholder Input Process

A Black Bear Stakeholder Input Group (SIG) was convened for Broome and Tioga County. Over the course of three meetings the participants identified and prioritized concerns or impacts from bears and recommended program initiatives to address the most important of these. The group concluded that public education to ensure that people understand the realities of having bears around and how to avoid bear problems was a key need. Keeping economic impacts on agriculture at tolerable levels was also an important need.

REGION 8

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 8

Deer Damage

To date in 2005, 437 deer damage permits have been sent out. This includes 65 automatic renewals during the January period and 241 during the busier April-May period. Auto-renews were lower than last year's numbers because permittees who failed to report their take were removed from the automatic renewal list for the first time this year. Many of these landowners subsequently ended up calling and renewing, but the total number of permits issued has still declined as compared to last year.

2004-05 Winter Conditions and Mortality

In a continuation of an effort started last year, Regional staff collected biological information on road-killed deer during January-April 2005 to determine the deer's state of nutrition at time of death. Thirty-eight carcasses were examined this past winter, down from 105 the previous year (another indication that overall deer numbers are indeed down substantially this year). Although not a statistically valid survey due to limited sample size, only 5 of these 38 deer (13%) were found to be in starvation condition at the time of their death. However, 36% of deer examined during the previous winter were in similar poor condition. Estimates of state of nutrition were made by visual analysis of femur bone marrow, the physical appearance and consistency of which change as a deer progresses toward malnutrition. This finding was consistent with general observations of winter severity this past winter in the Region, which indicated that this past winter was much less harsh than the two previous winters.

BLACK BEAR

A total of 44 nuisance bear complaints have been received to date in the Region. The complaints have occurred in seven of the 11 counties in Region 8, with this being an average year to date for nuisance bear problems

Wildlife personnel assisted Region 7 staff in trapping and relocating a bear from Vestal in Broome County. The bear was released near Greenwood in Steuben County, 86 miles from the capture location. Between visual observations and radio contacts, it has been documented that the bear had traveled at least 132 total miles. It had returned to within 12 miles of where it was originally captured according to the most recent radio contact.

REGION 9

DEER

For a summary of the 2004 deer season and 2005 prospects see the 2005 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 9

2004-05 Winter Conditions and Mortality

Overall winter conditions were milder in 2004-05. In most of the Region the number of days with 15 or more inches of snow on the ground were fewer than the previous two years. A few localized reports of starved fawns were received from portions of northern Cattaraugus County.

Urban Deer Management

A total of four municipalities near the City of Buffalo participated in urban deer management programs this past winter. The towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence and the City of North Tonawanda were issued permits to reduce the number of deer. A total of 600 deer were harvested on these permits, with approximately 18,000 pounds of venison donated to the Food Bank of Western New York.

DEER DAMAGE

The number of deer damage complaints received through the end of June was quite low. Lower deer populations in most WMUs may be partially responsible for the decrease. As anticipated however, damage complaints have increased significantly on truck crops, young orchards and nurseries in Erie and Niagara Counties since the first of July. Portions of these counties have had very little rainfall for several weeks and deer have started to target agricultural crops as natural vegetation matures early this summer.

BLACK BEAR

To date this has been a slow year for nuisance bear complaints and reported observations. A total of 24 complaints and 10 additional sightings have been received by early July. In 2004, a total of 110 complaints were received by the end of the year. Two bears were killed as a result of doing damage to apiaries.

CENTRAL OFFICE REPORTS

DEER

Statewide 2004 Deer Harvest

During the 2004 season, hunters harvested slightly more than 208,000 total deer, including almost 89,000 bucks and approximately 120,000 antlerless deer. The total deer harvest for 2004 represents an 18% reduction compared to the 2003 total deer take of more than 253,000 deer. Declines in total deer take were experienced across all of the major hunting zones in New York State in 2004.

New York's deer hunters took a little more than 80,000 adult females. This was an anticipated decline resulting from DEC's reduction in the total number of deer management permits (DMPs) available during the 2004 season. In 2004, just over 600,000 DMPs were issued, about 80,000 fewer than in previous seasons. The 2004 buck take of nearly 89,000 reflects an approximately 18% decline from 2003.

In New York State, Steuben County had the highest deer take in 2004, with 11,571 deer, including 4,499 bucks harvested. Cattaraugus County was second, with 10,658 deer, including 4,067 bucks, followed by Allegany County (10,587 total, 3,929 bucks). St. Lawrence County (7,476 total, 3,562 bucks) and Chautauqua (7,430 total, 2,985 bucks) rounded out the top five counties in the State.

Inspection Of Licensed Deer Farms and Deer Rehabilitators

In the aftermath of the documentation of chronic wasting disease in both captive deer and wild deer in Oneida County a decision was made to complete a thorough statewide inspection of licensed facilities holding domestic deer or wild deer needing temporary care. The inspections are being carried out by a team of personnel in each Region that include New York State Agriculture and Markets veterinarians and technical staff and wildlife personnel and environmental conservation officers from the New York State of Environmental Conservation.

The purpose of the inspections is to insure the facilities meet all license conditions and to inform operators about the CWD and Tuberculosis testing protocols. DEC staff are interested in making sure captive white-tailed deer are contained with adequate fencing and all deer are properly identified and marked.

A complete report for each facility will then be forwarded to the DEC headquarters in Albany for further review. A total of 200 licensed game animal breeder facilities (deer farms) and 96 wildlife rehabilitator facilities will be inspected statewide by mid-July. These inspections will provide critical information to the Bureau of Wildlife as we work with the captive deer industry in helping to manage the spread of CWD in the state.

Determining New York State Future Big Game Season Dates

For the formulas to determine future deer season dates see Determining Future Big Game Season Dates