Region 3 Deer Forecast
Unit Summary for the 2009 Season
Included in the discussion of most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) is a term called the Buck Take Objective (BTO). A BTO for a WMU is the desired number of antlered bucks expected to be harvested per square mile when the WMU's deer population is at the level recommended by the Citizen Task Force for that WMU. The BTO is not the estimated take for the coming season, but rather is the objective of our management efforts. The annual buck harvest is used as a gauge of population size and it's relationship to the desired population level.
WMU Revisions - Some revisions to WMUs will be in place for the 2009 season. In region 3, WMU 3A has been expanded to include the area that was formerly known as WMU 4X. Hunters should carefully check maps to ensure they know the unit designation for the lands they hunt. If you hunt in this area please review the WMU boundary descriptions.
WMU 3A
Area = 694 square miles
BTO = 3.0 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Buck Take = 1.4 bucks harvested per square mile (calculated for the revised unit area)
2008 Total Deer Take = 1.7 deer harvested per square mile (calculated for the revised unit area)
WMU 3A is located in the northwestern portion of Region 3, and WMU 3A has been expanded to include the area that was formerly known as WMU 4X. This unit is characterized by steep slopes, rocky out crops, shallow soils and mature forests that are typical of the Catskill Mountains. A significant portion of this unit is inside of the Catskill Park boundary and is subsequently protected from forestry and all other land management activities. This unit has never reached its objective of 3.0 bucks per square mile established in 1992, despite few or no DMPs issued in most years. The buck take increased again in 2008 from the 1.3 bucks harvested per square mile in 2007, continuing the trend that began in 2005. The population appears to have recovered from the harsh winters of 2002-2004 and the buck take is back up to levels of the late 90's and early 2000's. The winter of 2007-08 was the third most severe in the last 12 years for the Catskills. Thus, yearling bucks may be less available for harvest this year. However, the less severe winters of 2005 and 2006 should translate to a good crop of deer 2.5+ years old available for hunters. Overall, the prediction is that harvest numbers will be similar to 2008. There will be no Deer Management Permits (DMPs) issued in this unit in 2009. As usual in these heavily forested areas, locating food is the key. If you can find any oaks producing acorns this year, sit on them. Mast production, in red oaks especially, may be limited after the banner year last year.
WMU 3C
Area = 316 square miles
BTO = antler restriction unit
2008 Buck Take = 1.4 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 3.3 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3C is located primarily in Ulster County, north and west of Route 209 and the Shawangunk Ridge. It is comprised of mix of agricultural lands, primarily along Route 209, and forested habitats with scattered residential communities. This unit has rich mineral soils, capable of producing lush vegetation for deer browse. There are some public hunting opportunities in the forested portions of the unit, but deer densities are generally lower than in the agricultural areas. WMU 3C is part of the pilot antler restriction program which requires that bucks have at least one antler with 3 or more points to be legal for harvest. Because most yearling bucks are protected from harvest, the annual buck take is no longer a reliable index of population size. However, the Bowhunter Sighting Log index suggests that the population in WMU 3C remains below the desired level. As a result, DMP availability will be reduced in 2009 to allow for moderate population growth.
WMU 3F
Area = 332 square miles
BTO = 2.4 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Buck Take = 2.7 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 6.1 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3F is located in the Hudson Valley on the eastern shore of the Hudson River and has limited agricultural production of primarily forage crops. The unit is characterized as having mineral rich soils and is capable of producing lush vegetation for browse. Growing suburban communities and a lack of hunting on properties adjacent to the river allow some deer herds to grow in localized settings. The buck take in 2008 matched the 2007 harvest, while the total harvest increased slightly due to a few more DMP's made available. Antlerless harvests in 2007-08 and recent mild winters suggest that the buck harvest should remain around 2.7 again in 2009. So expect to see similar numbers of deer in the field this year as you did in 2008. Deer Management Permit numbers and availability will be similar to 2008, in order to bring the population down toward the unit's objective.
WMU 3G
Area = 457 square miles
BTO = 4.1 bucks harvested per square mile (revised to 2.2 in July 2009)
2008 Buck Take = 2.7 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 5.3 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3G is located in the northeastern corner of the region and is bordered by Connecticut to the east and the Taconic Parkway to the west. This unit is characterized by rolling hills and valleys with good soils and a mix of agriculture, old fields, and woodlands the create excellent deer habitat. The buck take increased in 2008 from the 2.4 bucks harvested per square mile in 2006 and 2007. The buck take is expected to increase modestly again in 2009 based on past antlerless harvests and mild winters. At the time when DMP allocations were being established, the buck take objective for WMU 3C was 4.1 bucks harvested per square mile, indicating that more population growth was desired. However, a Citizen Task Force convened in July 2009 and recommended a minor decrease in population from the current level. Concerns of deer impacts on forest regeneration, agricultural crops, and private property prevail throughout the unit. So beginning in 2010, management action will be guided by a new BTO of 2.2 bucks per square mile. While only 1st permit DMPs will be available to residents this year, expect permit numbers to increase next year due to the newly established objective in WMU 3G. Try to get permission to hunt on some of the larger estates to find big bucks. Don't forget to help them out and fill your antlerless tags though. With local concerns about deer impacts, the willingness to take antlerless deer on private properties may be the ticket to getting access to those properties.
WMU 3H
Area = 554 square miles
BTO = antler restriction unit
2008 Buck Take = 2.0 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 4.4 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3H is located in the southwestern corner of the region, primarily in Sullivan County. The majority of this unit is forested. Soils in this area are shallow, rocky, and mineral deficient. Some agricultural activity still occurs on a relatively small scale, as well as logging on private properties. Large land-holdings owned by hunting clubs have done much to improve deer habitats in local settings, but forest cuttings are the best way to improve deer habitat in this unit. Both the 2008 buck take and the total deer take remained similar to 2007. WMU 3H is part of the pilot antler restriction program which requires that bucks have at least one antler with 3 or more points to be legal for harvest. Because most yearling bucks are protected from harvest, the annual buck take is no longer a reliable index of population size. Yet indications from our Bowhunter Sighting Log and previous antlerless harvests are that the population levels should again be similar in 2009. WMU 3H has shown an increase in the proportion of 2.5-year-old and older bucks in the harvest over the last 2 seasons, and we expect this trend to continue in 2009, especially with the low yearling buck take of 2008. Preference points will again be required to obtain a DMP in 3H this season.
WMU 3J
Area = 356 square miles
BTO = antler restriction unit
2008 Buck Take = 1.9 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 4.7 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3J is located on the western edge of the Hudson Valley and is comprised of agriculture, primarily orchards, with increasing housing developments and large estates, many of which do not allow hunting. This unit has rich mineral soils and, combined with the matrix of agriculture, fields, and woodlots, has excellent habitat for producing some quality deer. WMU 3J is part of the pilot antler restriction program which requires that bucks have at least one antler with 3 or more points to be legal for harvest. Because most yearling bucks are protected from harvest, the annual buck take is no longer a reliable index of population size. However, buck take since inception of the antler restriction program has remained fairly stable and the bowhunter sighting log index suggests similar stability at a level slightly below the desired population size. Expect availability of adult bucks to be similar or just slightly higher than 2008. However, finding and harvesting those 2.5 year old and older bucks is not an easy task. So do your homework prior to the season. As usual in this unit, hunters that get access to private properties stand the best chances of harvest. The number of DMPs for this unit will be similar to last year with high odds for residents to obtain 1st permits, and medium chances for 2nd permits. Antler restrictions will continue for the 2009 season.
WMU 3K
Area = 381 square miles
BTO = antler restriction unit
2008 Buck Take = 1.8 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 3.2 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3K is located in the southwestern corner of the region in southern Sullivan County and includes part of western Orange County. This unit is comprised of big woods with some agriculture and old fields (remnants of old farms). WMU 3K is part of the pilot antler restriction program which requires that bucks have at least one antler with 3 or more points to be legal for harvest. Because most yearling bucks are protected from harvest, the annual buck take is no longer a reliable index of population size. Similar to neighboring 3H, the buck take and total take numbers in 3K in 2008 were very similar to 2007. The 2008 buck harvest was comprised by a large proportion of 2.5-year-olds. Look for this trend to continue, especially with the low yearling harvest in 2008. Deer Management Permits will be reduced in 2009, with chances of selection being low for resident 1st permits and no availability of 2nd permits or DMPS for nonresidents.
WMU 3M
Area = 749 square miles
BTO = 3.1 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Buck Take = 4.1 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 9.6 deer harvested per square mile
This unit is located on the southern edge of the region and is primarily within Orange County. This unit has mineral rich soils, active agriculture, and old fields that combine to provide for a highly productive deer herd. Hunter access is an ever increasing problem in this unit as the majority of land is privately owned. There has been an increasing trend toward housing developments that provide habitat and refuge for deer but do not allow hunting in many cases. Suburban settings provide excellent deer habitat, and with the lack of hunting, create pockets of deer overabundance and nuisance issues that are difficult to control. Hunters should work to get access to these areas and take does in order to better manage the resource. The buck take indicates that the population continues to climb further above our management objective and more growth is expected for 2009. To prevent further population growth, DMPs will again be readily available to both residents and nonresidents. As usual, look for opportunities on private lands and you should be rewarded this season. However, don't overlook Pochuck and Stewart State Forests for excellent public hunting opportunities for both does and bucks. Hunters would be wise to fill their antlerless tags first, even if it means passing a shot on a young buck. This would help bring the population in line with objective levels and allow some yearling bucks to survive to older age classes.
WMU 3N
Area = 223 square miles
BTO = 2.7 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Buck Take = 2.7 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 5.8 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3N is located down in the southeastern portion of the region, primarily within Putnam County. This unit is characterized as having hills and valleys with good quality soils for growing adequate vegetation for deer browse. Land-use patterns have predominantly changed from farming to housing developments, strip malls, and single family homes. Public hunting access is limited to DEC owned Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, and Multiple-Use Areas, as well as properties owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The population and buck take are expected to climb slightly this year providing increased opportunities to harvest both bucks and does. Deer Management Permit issuance in this unit will be lower in 2009 than 2008, but both residents and nonresidents will have high odds of receiving a first permit. Resident applicants will also have high odds of getting a second DMP.
WMU 3P
Area = 125 square miles
BTO = 2.5 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Buck Take = 2.6 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 6.3 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3P is located in the southern portion of the region in southern Orange County, bordering New Jersey. This unit is characterized as mountainous with steep slopes and valleys and maturing forests. A good portion of the land has been developed for commercial and residential use. Hunters access is an issue in this unit but good opportunities for deer hunters do exist at a few large private land holdings, Sterling Forest State Park, and West Point Military Academy during the regular season. The buck take returned to near objective in 2008 after a spike above objective in 2007. The population and buck take is expected to decrease slightly in 2009, but stay near the objective. So hunters may have to work a little harder this year to fill a tag. As with some other units, low proportions of yearling bucks in the harvest the past few years should provide plenty of adult males, relatively speaking, for harvest this year. Deer Management Permit issuance in this unit will be lower in 2009 than 2008, but both residents and nonresidents will have high odds of receiving a first permit. A few second permits will also be available to resident applicants.
WMU 3R
Area = 206 square miles
BTO = None set
2008 Buck Take = 0.8 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 1.3 deer harvested per square mile
This unit lies in the southern portion of the region on the western shore of the Hudson River, primarily within Rockland County. The Ramapo Mountains comprise 1/3 of this unit on its western side and heavy development comprises the rest. There is very little habitat management occurring here that would be conducive to deer. The buck take has hovered between 0.7 and 0.8 bucks taken per square mile for the past decade. Deer populations are likely higher than the buck take indicates, however, but access to land for hunting is an issue. There is no objective set for this unit due to the poor habitat conditions, heavy urbanization, and hunter access issues. Expect the buck take in this unit to be similar to previous years. DMPs for WMU 3R will again be available with high odds for 1st and 2nd permits for both residents and nonresidents.
WMU 3S
Area = 431 square miles
BTO = None set
2008 Buck Take = 1.4 bucks harvested per square mile
2008 Total Deer Take = 4.0 deer harvested per square mile
WMU 3S encompasses Westchester County, and the unit is restricted to bowhunting only. This unit is characterized as hills and valleys with good quality soils and some limited agricultural and forestry activities in the north, and suburban development to the south. Similar to WMU 3R, access for hunters is mainly limited to private properties, as DEC does not own lands in this unit. Soil conditions, limited agriculture, and suburbia contribute to high deer densities in this unit. Bowhunters have done well to control deer numbers on properties that allow access, but limited access reduces their impact on the overall deer population. Hunters should develop relationships with landowners to obtain access and assist them with reducing deer impacts to ornamentals and woodlots. More access should become available in this unit as Towns like Pound Ridge develop controlled hunt programs to address abundant deer populations. As with unit 3R, there is no buck take objective in 3S, rather management is geared to promote high antlerless harvests and control deer numbers on the suburban landscape. Good quality bucks are continually taken from this unit during the rut, protected by properties without hunting during the rest of the season. DMPs for WMU 3S will again be available with high odds for first and second permit applicants. Bonus DMPs will also be available to hunters who successfully harvest an anterless deer on a DMP. Deer hunting in WMU 3S is restricted to archery equipment only and the season runs from October 17 to December 31, 2009.
Kevin Clarke
Region 3 Deer Biologist
