The latest from ADKHunter…

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Greetings Adirondack Hunters:
Finally some cooler weather, which is great for those of us getting out in the woods for some scouting and conditioning (I need lots of conditioning) and some shooting. It looks like we’re going to have an acorn crop after all, alhtough I’m not sure how big. We also have some apples around, but not on every tree. The jury is out on beechnuts. Seeing plenty of deer and small game too, including turkeys (see DEC’s survey below). Otherwise, we’re just buying time until hunting season(s) begin next month.
-Dan’l

PS: Here’s a few interesting graphics for your enjoyment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page.facebook1Read on for more info and last season’s hunting reports… Continue reading →

2018-19 Hunting and Trapping Licenses Now On Sale

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that sporting licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2018-19 season are now on sale. Licenses and permits can be purchased at any one of DEC’s license-issuing agents, by telephone (866-933-2257), or online. The hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2018, through Aug. 31, 2019.

Through the purchase of sporting licenses, arms and ammunition, and trip-related expenditures, New York’s nearly 600,000 licensed hunters contribute an estimated $1.5 billion to the state’s economy each year.

Expanded Call Center Hours
Through Oct. 1, the DEC Call Center is accessible from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Regular call center weekday hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) will resume on Oct. 2.

Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license:

  • Complete contact information (e.g. name, address, email address, telephone number);
  • DEC customer ID number (if applicable);
  • Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license or non-driver’s ID with a valid NYS address) 

and;

  • If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.

 

If not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases. For additional information, visit the General Sporting License Information webpage on DEC’s website.

Habitat & Access Stamps
New York’s habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources for all to enjoy. DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a voluntary Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp help fund projects aimed at conserving habitat and improving public access for fish and wildlife-related activities. This year’s promotion features a barred owl.

Deer Management Permits
In addition, Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are now available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1. DMPs, which are used to ensure proper management of the deer herd, are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the entire application period; hunters do not need to rush to apply. The 2018 chances of selection for a permit in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through License Issuing Agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on Deer Management Permits is available on DEC’s website.

The new Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide provides an easy-to-read compendium of all pertinent rules and regulations and is available at all license issuing outlets and on the DEC Hunting Regulations webpage. For a list of license-issuing agents, visit DEC’s online License Center or contact the DEC Call Center at 1-866-933-2257.

Venison Donation Program
Anyone—not just hunters and anglers—can help feed the hungry by making a monetary contribution to the Venison Donation Program at any license-issuing outlet. Individuals should inform the license sales agent if interested in making a donation of $1 or more to support the program. Since 1999, these funds have been used by the Venison Donation Coalition to process more than 330 tons of highly nutritious venison, the equivalent of 2.8 million meals served. For more information about the Venison Donation Coalition program, visit DEC’s website.

DEC: Seen any turkeys?

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           New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today encouraged New Yorkers to participate in a survey for wild turkeys.

Additional information is available on the DEC website:

           

Since 1996, DEC has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to track wild turkey populations and estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival. This index allows DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential.

            During August, survey participants record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. Those interested in participating can download a Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey form along with instructions and the data sheet directly at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48732.html. In addition, survey cards can be obtained by contacting a regional DEC office, calling (518) 402-8883, or e-mailing wildlife@dec.ny.gov (type “Turkey Survey” in the subject line). Participants can also submit observations on-line. Visit the DEC website link above and click “Summer Wild Turkey Sighting On-line Report.”

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Gooley Club Liquidation Sale

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The Gooley Club in Newcomb will soon be leaving their camp on Third Lake in the Essex Chain. They have many items for sale including rowboats, wood stoves and many camp furnishings. Also, there is the option of moving one of the cabins out of there and to another location. If interested, call (518) 857-0827

Waterfowl Season Dates for 2018-19

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos  announced that information is now available about the state’s upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons, including season dates and updated regulations. 

The season dates and regulations can be viewed in full detail on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html.  Waterfowl hunting zone descriptions and boundaries are available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html.  A summary of the task force meetings and the rational for season dates can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28513.html.

Youth Hunting Opportunities
Duck hunting seasons begin with designated “youth waterfowl hunts” in each zone of the state.  Youth hunts allow young hunters to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters and gain necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of the hunting community. Junior hunters (12 to 15 years of age) accompanied by a licensed adult hunter (including current HIP registration and duck stamp) may participate. The accompanying adult may not possess a firearm or shoot any birds unless the respective regular season is open. The daily bag limit for ducks and brant during these youth hunts is the same as during the regular season, except three geese per day in all zones. The youth hunts are held on weekends in each zone of the state, as follows:

  • Northeastern Zone – September 22-23
  • Southeastern Zone – September 22-23
  • Lake Champlain Zone – September 29-30
  • Western Zone – October 13-14
  • Long Island Zone – November 10-11

 

Duck Season
Most waterfowl seasons are similar to previous seasons. Season dates for each zone are as follows:

  • Northeastern Zone – October 6 to October 28 and November 3 to December 9
  • Southeastern Zone – October 6 to October 14 and November 10 to December 30
  • Lake Champlain Zone – October 13 to October 21 and November 10 to December 30
  • Western Zone – October 27 to December 8 and December 26 to January 11
  • Long Island Zone – November 22 to November 23 and December 1 to January 27

A complete list of season dates can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28888.html.

Goose and Brant Season
September Canada goose seasons begin on September 1 throughout upstate New York, and on September 4 for central and eastern Long Island, and hunters can look forward to another 50 days or more (depending on area) to pursue these popular game birds again this fall and winter.  Resident geese remain abundant in many areas of the state with the population estimated to be approximately 240,000 birds statewide, and migratory populations that pass through New York were estimated to be similar to recent years.  Hunters are reminded that Canada goose seasons are set for different geographic areas of the state than other waterfowl seasons, so be sure to review the maps and season dates closely at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html. Canada goose season dates and bag limits in most areas are similar to last year.

A special conservation season for snow geese, in addition to the regular hunting seasons in each zone, will be open in all of upstate New York from January 16 through April 15. These birds have become so abundant that they are causing harm to wetland habitats throughout their range. Special seasons have been established in many eastern states and provinces to increase hunter harvest and help reduce this population. The daily limit for snow geese is 25 per day, and there is no possession limit. Electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells may be used to take snow geese at any time when all other waterfowl hunting seasons are closed.

Lastly, the bag limit and season length for Atlantic brant will remain two birds per day and 60 days long. 

Changes in High Peaks

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that DEC is undertaking a multi-year, comprehensive effort to promote sustainable tourism, and address public safety in the Adirondacks. The first phase of actions begin ahead of the upcoming July 4th holiday.

Popular destinations on DEC lands within the Adirondack Park such as the High Peaks, Dix, Giant and Hurricane Wildernesses, Baxter Mountain, and the Saranac Lake 6’er peaks, are attracting an unprecedented number of users. 

To improve public safety and reduce impacts to natural resources in the area, DEC held four focus group meetings this past winter to generate ideas and information to support recommendations, particularly to address overuse challenges in the High Peaks region and the Route 73 corridor between Exit 30 of the Northway and Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. The meetings were held in partnership with the towns of Keene and North Elba and involved a wide range of stakeholders. With input from DEC land managers, the meetings helped the agency identify specific strategies and actions to be taken in 2018 and 2019.

Actions along the Route 73 corridor are scheduled to start during the July 4th holiday week and are being implemented with state agency partners and municipalities. The first phase of actions include: Continue reading →

New York’s CWD Plan

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner (Ag & Markets) Richard Ball announced that the state has finalized the New York State Interagency Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Risk Minimization Plan. The plan proposes regulatory changes and new actions to minimize the risk of CWD entering or spreading in New York State.

The plan is designed to protect both wild white-tailed deer and moose herds in New York, as well as captive cervids including deer and elk held at enclosed facilities.

The plan alls for increased public participation in the state’s efforts, and DEC and Ag & Markets are urging hunters and citizens to:

  • Report sick or abnormally behaving deer;
  • Do not feed wild deer;
  • Dispose of carcasses properly at approved landfills;
  • Report violators;
  • Use alternatives to urine-based lures or use synthetic forms of deer urine.

 

The final plan is available on the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html).

Continue reading →

DEC: 2017’s White-tailed deer harvest numbers are in

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Hunters in New York State enjoyed another successful year, harvesting an estimated 203,427 deer during the 2017-18 hunting seasons Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. 

The 2017 estimated deer take included 95,623 antlerless deer and 107,804 antlered bucks, an estimated five percent fewer deer than the previous year. Statewide, this represents a 10-percent decline in antlerless harvest and a buck harvest nearly identical to 2016. Hunters in the Northern Zone took 25,351 deer, including 18,074 adult bucks. In the Southern Zone, hunters took 178,076 deer, including 89,730 adult bucks.

The decline in antlerless harvest occurred despite DEC issuing more antlerless permits last season. DEC wildlife biologists have noted two important and encouraging items that emerged from the 2017 deer harvest. First, with 53.3 percent of the adult buck harvest averaging 2.5 years or older, hunters took an estimated 57,494 older bucks, setting a record in total number and greatest percentage of older bucks in the harvest.            

Second, the portion of successful hunters who reported their harvest as required by state law increased from 44 percent in recent years to 50 percent in 2017. Along with our Take It · Tag It · Report It campaign, DEC has made the process of harvest reporting substantially easier for hunters, providing phone, internet, and mobile app options. Harvest reports are critically important for accurate monitoring of deer harvests, and DEC encourages hunters to continue to contribute to the management process by complying with the reporting requirements.

DEC’s 2017 Deer Harvest Summary report (PDF) provides a suite of tables, charts, and maps detailing the deer harvest around the state.  Past harvest summaries are available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html. Continue reading →

DEC Announces 2017 Bear Harvest Results

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 New York State bear hunters took 1,420 black bears during the 2017 hunting seasons, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.   

Hunters took an estimated 1,037 black bears in New York’s Southern Zone, nearly the same number as in 2016, but slightly more than the recent five-year average.  Bowhunters took 330 bears, on par with the recent average, but less than the 537 bears taken during the regular season. The early season, which DEC initiated in 2014 to reduce bear populations in a handful of management units in the Catskill region, resulted in 150 bears.

In the Northern Zone, hunters took an estimated 383 bears, about 25 percent fewer than 2016 and below the historical average. Bear take in the Northern Zone tends to alternate between strong harvests during the early season one year, followed by strong harvests during the regular season the next year, based primarily on cycles of food availability. This year, the early season accounted for 82 bears, similar to the early seasons of 2011 and 2013.  However, hunters fared much better during the regular season, taking 242 bears. Continue reading →