RJ
11-14-2007, 12:26 PM
BEGINS NOVEMBER 17
Allegany Regular Bear Season Also Starting Soon
A major change to enhance bear hunting highlights this weekend’s kickoff to the 2007 Southern Zone regular deer and the Catskill and Allegany regular bear seasons* New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.
For the first time in 29 years* the Catskill bear season will commence on the same day as deer season. Previously* there had been a lag between the start of bear and deer seasons. The date change is intended to increase bear harvest in the Catskills to limit bear population growth and range expansion.
The 2007 regular deer hunting season opens at sunrise on Saturday* Nov. 17 in New York State’s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting in the Catskill Bear Region also begins on Nov. 17. In the Allegany region in Western New York* regular bear season begins Nov. 24. These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday* Dec. 9.
“Deer and bear hunting is a long-standing tradition and an important part of New York's outdoor heritage*” Commissioner Grannis said. “Hunters also provide a valuable public service by keeping deer and bear populations in check* with regulated hunting being the most effective and efficient tool to maintain wildlife populations at levels that are compatible with our communities and natural resources. I encourage everyone going afield this season to be prepared and to remember DEC’s guidelines to help ensure a safe and successful trip.”
Immediately following the regular season* Late Archery and Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Southern Zone open at sunrise on Dec. 10 and close at sunset on Dec. 18. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. During the late special seasons* hunters may use either of their bowhunting and muzzleloading tags* and they may also take a deer of either sex with an unused regular season deer tag. Unused Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer.
In the Northern Zone* the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 20 and closes Dec. 2. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks* the Tug Hill Plateau* the Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9.
New York's deer management program strives to maintain deer herds at levels compatible with human interests* while minimizing negative impacts and providing high-quality hunting opportunities and other recreational benefits. To aid in determining desired deer population sizes* local Citizen Task Forces are convened by DEC to represent a broad range of public interests and are charged with developing a desired deer population objective for the area in which they live. Citizen Task Forces consider many issues during the process* including habitat availability and the concerns of farmers* foresters* conservationists* the tourism industry* motorists* businesses and hunters.
DEC uses regulated deer hunting to achieve the desired deer population level in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) across the state. Deer Management Permits (DMPs) function as the cornerstone of DEC's management* as DMPs are valid for antlerless deer only and are issued for specific WMUs. Since mid-August* DEC has issued over 500*000 DMPs through the DEC Automated License System (DECALS). DMPs allow hunters to take one or more antlerless deer in addition to the deer allowed by the regular* bowhunting and muzzleloading licenses. DMPs may be used in all Southern Zone seasons* including the early and late special seasons. Bonus DMPs are also available in the archery-only units and in Suffolk County (WMUs 1C* 3S* 4J* and 8C). For information about obtaining Bonus DMPs* visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html .
Hunters are reminded that several changes have occurred for the 2007 hunting seasons.
$ As noted* the regular bear season in the Catskill Bear Region has changed to begin on November 17* rather than November 19 as is printed in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. This change was enacted after the Regulations Guide was printed and affects only the WMUs open for bear hunting in the Catskills.
$ Governor Eliot Spitzer signed a new law allowing rifle use for big game hunting in Chemung* Steuben and Yates counties. It is similar to legislation enacted in 2005 for 10 counties in Central New York and the Southern Tier. This measure expires in one year and in order to continue* would have to be renewed in 2008 by state lawmakers.
$ The pilot antler restriction program continues in the Southern Catskill WMUs 3C* 3H* 3J* and 3K. The pilot program is intended to expand the age structure of the buck population and requires that bucks taken in these WMUs have at least three antler points on a side to be legal. Hunters under 17 years of age are exempt from the three-point requirement.
DEC will continue implementation of the statewide Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program* testing deer tissue for the presence of the disease in New York. More than 19*000 wild deer were tested for CWD in New York since the discovery of CWD in two wild and five captive deer in April 2005. No additional animals have tested positive for the disease. Within the CWD Containment Area of Oneida and Madison counties special restrictions remain in place governing how harvested deer and specific deer parts may be possessed* transported* and disposed. Mandatory testing of all deer taken in the Containment Area will be occurring again this fall* as well as random testing in other counties throughout New York State. Successful hunters in the Containment Area will have the option to bring the deer head only or the entire carcass to the Oneida Deer Check Station. Hunters bringing deer* elk or moose carcasses into New York from most of the western states and some Canadian provinces and territories* must process them to remove tissues of concern prior to import. Specific guidelines regarding CWD can be found in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html .
In October 2007* the first confirmed case of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) was found in a small number of wild white-tailed deer in New York. Several deer carcasses from parts of Albany* Rensselaer and Niagara counties were submitted to the DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit for examination and tissue analysis and have tested positive. EHD is a virus is transmitted from animal to animal by bites of infected midges or “gnats.” Documented outbreaks of EHD tend to occur during late summer and early fall due to an increase in midge numbers. Outbreaks cease with the onset of a hard frost which kills the virus carrying midges. The disease does not infect humans and people are not at risk of contracting EHD by handling infected deer* eating venison from infected deer* or being bitten by infected midges.
As always* hunters should observe normal precautions around any sick or strange-acting animals. Wearing gloves when field dressing game and washing their knife is recommended. Hunters should also use hot water and soap to wash any part of their body exposed to animal tissue* blood or urine. Sick or groups of dead deer should be promptly reported to the nearest DEC regional wildlife office. Background information about CWD* EHD* importing of out of state carcasses* and pertinent regulations can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/38979.html .
Commissioner Grannis encourages hunters to follow a few basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents:
- Point your gun in a safe direction;
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
- Be sure of your target and beyond;
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and
- Remember to wear Hunter Orange.
Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries* studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season* people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related mishap* and 23 times less likely to be killed in such an incident. For more hunting tips* visit the DEC webpage "Hunting Safety."
For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas* hunters should refer to the 2007-08 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 at www.dec.ny.gov . Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.
Allegany Regular Bear Season Also Starting Soon
A major change to enhance bear hunting highlights this weekend’s kickoff to the 2007 Southern Zone regular deer and the Catskill and Allegany regular bear seasons* New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.
For the first time in 29 years* the Catskill bear season will commence on the same day as deer season. Previously* there had been a lag between the start of bear and deer seasons. The date change is intended to increase bear harvest in the Catskills to limit bear population growth and range expansion.
The 2007 regular deer hunting season opens at sunrise on Saturday* Nov. 17 in New York State’s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting in the Catskill Bear Region also begins on Nov. 17. In the Allegany region in Western New York* regular bear season begins Nov. 24. These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday* Dec. 9.
“Deer and bear hunting is a long-standing tradition and an important part of New York's outdoor heritage*” Commissioner Grannis said. “Hunters also provide a valuable public service by keeping deer and bear populations in check* with regulated hunting being the most effective and efficient tool to maintain wildlife populations at levels that are compatible with our communities and natural resources. I encourage everyone going afield this season to be prepared and to remember DEC’s guidelines to help ensure a safe and successful trip.”
Immediately following the regular season* Late Archery and Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Southern Zone open at sunrise on Dec. 10 and close at sunset on Dec. 18. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. During the late special seasons* hunters may use either of their bowhunting and muzzleloading tags* and they may also take a deer of either sex with an unused regular season deer tag. Unused Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer.
In the Northern Zone* the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 20 and closes Dec. 2. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks* the Tug Hill Plateau* the Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9.
New York's deer management program strives to maintain deer herds at levels compatible with human interests* while minimizing negative impacts and providing high-quality hunting opportunities and other recreational benefits. To aid in determining desired deer population sizes* local Citizen Task Forces are convened by DEC to represent a broad range of public interests and are charged with developing a desired deer population objective for the area in which they live. Citizen Task Forces consider many issues during the process* including habitat availability and the concerns of farmers* foresters* conservationists* the tourism industry* motorists* businesses and hunters.
DEC uses regulated deer hunting to achieve the desired deer population level in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) across the state. Deer Management Permits (DMPs) function as the cornerstone of DEC's management* as DMPs are valid for antlerless deer only and are issued for specific WMUs. Since mid-August* DEC has issued over 500*000 DMPs through the DEC Automated License System (DECALS). DMPs allow hunters to take one or more antlerless deer in addition to the deer allowed by the regular* bowhunting and muzzleloading licenses. DMPs may be used in all Southern Zone seasons* including the early and late special seasons. Bonus DMPs are also available in the archery-only units and in Suffolk County (WMUs 1C* 3S* 4J* and 8C). For information about obtaining Bonus DMPs* visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html .
Hunters are reminded that several changes have occurred for the 2007 hunting seasons.
$ As noted* the regular bear season in the Catskill Bear Region has changed to begin on November 17* rather than November 19 as is printed in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. This change was enacted after the Regulations Guide was printed and affects only the WMUs open for bear hunting in the Catskills.
$ Governor Eliot Spitzer signed a new law allowing rifle use for big game hunting in Chemung* Steuben and Yates counties. It is similar to legislation enacted in 2005 for 10 counties in Central New York and the Southern Tier. This measure expires in one year and in order to continue* would have to be renewed in 2008 by state lawmakers.
$ The pilot antler restriction program continues in the Southern Catskill WMUs 3C* 3H* 3J* and 3K. The pilot program is intended to expand the age structure of the buck population and requires that bucks taken in these WMUs have at least three antler points on a side to be legal. Hunters under 17 years of age are exempt from the three-point requirement.
DEC will continue implementation of the statewide Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program* testing deer tissue for the presence of the disease in New York. More than 19*000 wild deer were tested for CWD in New York since the discovery of CWD in two wild and five captive deer in April 2005. No additional animals have tested positive for the disease. Within the CWD Containment Area of Oneida and Madison counties special restrictions remain in place governing how harvested deer and specific deer parts may be possessed* transported* and disposed. Mandatory testing of all deer taken in the Containment Area will be occurring again this fall* as well as random testing in other counties throughout New York State. Successful hunters in the Containment Area will have the option to bring the deer head only or the entire carcass to the Oneida Deer Check Station. Hunters bringing deer* elk or moose carcasses into New York from most of the western states and some Canadian provinces and territories* must process them to remove tissues of concern prior to import. Specific guidelines regarding CWD can be found in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html .
In October 2007* the first confirmed case of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) was found in a small number of wild white-tailed deer in New York. Several deer carcasses from parts of Albany* Rensselaer and Niagara counties were submitted to the DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit for examination and tissue analysis and have tested positive. EHD is a virus is transmitted from animal to animal by bites of infected midges or “gnats.” Documented outbreaks of EHD tend to occur during late summer and early fall due to an increase in midge numbers. Outbreaks cease with the onset of a hard frost which kills the virus carrying midges. The disease does not infect humans and people are not at risk of contracting EHD by handling infected deer* eating venison from infected deer* or being bitten by infected midges.
As always* hunters should observe normal precautions around any sick or strange-acting animals. Wearing gloves when field dressing game and washing their knife is recommended. Hunters should also use hot water and soap to wash any part of their body exposed to animal tissue* blood or urine. Sick or groups of dead deer should be promptly reported to the nearest DEC regional wildlife office. Background information about CWD* EHD* importing of out of state carcasses* and pertinent regulations can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/38979.html .
Commissioner Grannis encourages hunters to follow a few basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents:
- Point your gun in a safe direction;
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
- Be sure of your target and beyond;
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and
- Remember to wear Hunter Orange.
Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries* studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season* people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related mishap* and 23 times less likely to be killed in such an incident. For more hunting tips* visit the DEC webpage "Hunting Safety."
For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas* hunters should refer to the 2007-08 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 at www.dec.ny.gov . Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.