2008 Deer Hunting Season Forecasts
Statewide Deer Forecast
New York is looking forward to another safe and successful deer hunting season in 2008. The overall forecast for the upcoming deer season is very good. Deer survival through winter was good in most areas and deer populations are projected to have increased slightly in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
In 2007, hunters harvested approximately 220,000 deer, a 16 percent increase over the previous season. Statewide, buck take in 2007 was almost 104,500 bucks, up 8 percent over 2006 (96,569 bucks) and 17 percent over 2005 (89,015 bucks). Deer populations in many portions of New York are continuing to grow slowly, and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) anticipates a slight increase in buck take and total deer take again for 2008.
Because deer are not evenly distributed across the landscape of New York, different management strategies are needed depending upon the individual area and the status of its deer population. In fact, DEC is intentionally managing for reduced populations in some areas and stabilization in others. The goal of DEC's deer management program is to maintain deer numbers at levels that meet local interests and habitat conditions, while also providing quality hunting opportunities for New York's 550,000 deer hunters.
The map "2007 Buck Take vs. Buck Take Objective" shows WMUs that are above, below, or near the management objective. The Buck Take Objective (BTO) for a WMU is the desired number of antlered bucks expected to be harvested per square mile when the unit's deer population is at the desired level. The annual buck harvest per square mile is used each year to gauge population size in relation to the desired population level. The BTO is not the annual harvest objective, but rather is a longer term objective of our management efforts.
In the areas shown in red on the map, deer populations are being managed to further reduce local deer populations. In areas shown in green on the map, deer populations are being managed for stability, intending to maintain deer numbers near objective levels. The WMUs shown in yellow on the map were below objective following the 2007 hunting season and are being managed for population growth. However, many of the units below objective have seen substantial deer population growth in the past year or two and are on their way to achieving objective levels over the next few years. Hunters should notice that not all WMUs have harvest objectives (units in brown on the map). Because winter mortality of deer has a strong influence on deer population size and growth in the Adirondacks, no buck take objectives have been established for these units. Alternatively, in units such as 1C, 3S, 3R, 4J, and 8C, where hunting is limited due to extensive suburban development and reduced land access or where hunters are restricted to bowhunting only, the buck take is not a reliable index of population size and management is directed toward maintaining deer populations that are socially acceptable. WMUs 8X and 8N, shown in brown on the map, will now have a harvest objective for 2008 (see the WMU specific forecasts for details).
DEC issues Deer Management Permits (DMPs), often called "doe tags," to move the population closer toward objective levels in each WMU. Because deer populations in some units are above objective and increasing in many others, DEC will be increasing the number of DMPs available this fall by about 13%. The total target DMP allocation for 2008 is approximately 530,000 DMPs, excluding Long Island and the Bowhunting-only units (WMUs 3S, 4J and 8C) which do not have DMP targets. DMPs will be cut back in portions of the state where greater survival of antlerless deer is needed, but outside of the Adirondack Region, only WMUs 4K, 4L, 4M, and 4X will be closed for DMPs in 2008.
The pilot antler restriction program in WMUs 3C, 3H, 3J and 3K will continue in 2008. The antler restriction stipulates that bucks taken in the pilot WMUs have at least one antler with three points at least one inch in length to be legal. This standard is intended to reduce harvest of yearling bucks (1.5 years old), allowing them to survive to older ages. The pilot program has demonstrated some success in shifting the buck harvest toward slightly older bucks, though the number of bucks taken in these units is much less than prior to the program. Buck takes are expected to increase as the program continues.
Remember, Hunger Has A Cure ... The Venison Donation Program is a great way to help those less fortunate while also assisting with deer management in New York. With 120 cooperating venison processors in 50 counties, over 90,000 pounds of quality venison were donated in 2007. Thank you sportsmen and women for providing over 2 million meals in seven years! Donate a dollar or more anywhere licenses are sold - just tell the clerk you want to support Venison Donation. For more information on the Venison Donation Program, pick up a brochure when you purchase your license or check out the Venison Donation Program website.
To help hunters choose their hunting locations, each Regional Deer biologist has prepared a summary for their respective WMUs. Use the links on the left margin to select the appropriate Region, and you will be able to view a unit-by-unit forecast for the upcoming season. A wealth of additional information is available for deer hunters on our deer page.
Also, you are invited to join New York Big Game, DEC's email outlet for information on white-tailed deer and black bear in New York State. Subscribers to this email list will periodically receive information from DEC about deer and bear biology, management, research, regulations and hunting. To subscribe, follow this link for New York Big Game.
Good luck hunting this fall and enjoy your time afield in the Empire State.
Jeremy Hurst
Big Game Biologist