The latest from ADKHunter…

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Happy Thanksgiving: We are about to embark on a Thanksgiving holiday like no other. This hunter has a feeling that if families can’t gather in the living and dining rooms, that  hunting families everywhere will be gathering for the traditional holiday deer hunt. Whether it’s Thursday morning or for the long weekend, here’s wishing everyone the best. 

The countdown to the end of deer season begins. As of this writing, there are basically about 11 days left in the regular season and the first week in December is the final week. Buck activity has appeared to slow down a bit in the woods; perhaps it is the breeding cycle that finds bucks with does or a little less pressure thanks to the Southern Zone being open (and with some comfortable weather to boot). According to my buddy, Oak Duke (see below), things could pick back up again. Those of us with tags still in our pockets sure hope that’s the case. There is an interesting weather system that could possibly develop early next week and bring some snow to the region; same for later in the week. We’ll see, otherwise things look pretty mild for the homestretch. 

Check out Oak Duke’s NYON 2020 Rut Tracker in New York Outdoor News. Oak is long-time NYON contributing writer and has been analyzing each phase of the whitetail rut, while offering some hunting tips. According to Oak, the Nov. 30 full moon could trigger rutting activity similar to what we saw in the final days of October and first week in November; albeit a little less intense. The final edition of Oak’s Rut Tracker is in the Nov. 27 issue, which is showing up on newsstands and in subscriber mailboxes Thanksgiving week. The Rut Tracker is only available in our print product, not online, so if you’re not a subscriber now is a good time to consider getting on board.
-Dan’l 

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2020 Hunting Photos

Buck’s Blog in NY Outdoor News

New York Outdoor News is surely keeping me busy. Gathering, editing and publishing news items from the outdoor world is interesting beyond my imagination and in the professional world there’s been little time for anything else. As for the status of ADKHunter, we’re keeping things going for now and plan to going forward. There may be some delays in processing things such as photos, but we will do our best to keep up. 

Previous Reports

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DEC Seeks to Simplify Bass Regs

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing changes to black bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass) fishing regulations to make these regulations easier to understand while continuing to successfully manage these species for future angler enjoyment. DEC is accepting public comment on the proposed elimination of “any size” and 10-inch minimum size limit regulations for black bass from many rivers throughout the state, as well as Lake Colby in Franklin County, Moose Pond in Essex County, and Lake Champlain. The proposal replaces these unnecessary special size limits with the statewide 12-inch-minimum black bass size limit.

Some rivers and streams in New York are currently managed under a 10-inch minimum size limit regulation to allow harvest of black bass populations generally believed to not grow as large as their lake and pond counterparts. However, a recent Black Bass 10-inch Minimum Size Limit Evaluation study found no differences in the size structures or growth of smallmouth bass in rivers managed under this regulation and those from rivers and lakes managed under the statewide 12-inch minimum size limit. Smallmouth bass were the focus of the evaluation because they are more prevalent in rivers and streams than largemouth bass. There is no need to maintain the reduced minimum size limit in these rivers.

Lake Champlain is recognized as one of the best black bass lakes in the country and DEC found no justification to continue to regulate it with a minimum size limit less restrictive than the statewide 12-inch minimum size limit. “Any size” regulations for black bass in Lake Colby (Franklin County), Moose Pond (Essex County), Catatonk Creek (Tioga County), and Fall Creek (Tompkins County) are also considered unnecessary.

The regulatory proposal is available on the DEC website for review and public comment. Comments on the proposal should be submitted via e-mail to dec.sm.regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or via mail to the Inland Fisheries Section, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753; subject line “Black Bass Regulations.” Comments will be accepted through Jan. 23, 2021.

Southern Zone Opens Nov. 21

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With the start of New York’s most popular big game seasons on the horizon, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging hunters to be safe, have fun, pass up shots on young bucks, and take steps to protect New York’s deer from Chronic Wasting Disease(CWD).

“Regulated hunting is one of the most important conservation efforts New Yorkers engage in each year,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Hunters help balance deer and bear populations with local habitats and land uses, while enjoying cherished family traditions and harvesting more than 11 million pounds of quality, locally grown, organic meat. We want everyone to stay safe this hunting season and for hunters to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent introducing Chronic Wasting Disease to New York.” 

Regular Firearms Seasons for Deer and Bear begin Nov. 21
The 2020-21 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York’s Southern Zone begin at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 21, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 13. The Southern Zone regular season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters. Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest.  

Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting, and muzzleloading seasons will run from Dec. 14 through 22. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. 

In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 24 and will close at sunset on Dec. 6. The Northern Zone includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys. A late bowhunting and muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 7 to 13.

Protect New York Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease
There have been no new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in New York deer since 2005, but hunters should take the threat of CWD seriously. CWD is always fatal to deer. If introduced, CWD could spread rapidly and be practically impossible to eliminate once established. The most effective disease management strategy is to prevent CWD from entering New York. Hunters can help protect New York’s deer herd from CWD by following these tips: Continue reading →

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New Trail in Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract – Hamilton County

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that a 0.3-mile trail has been completed in the Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract, located in the town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. The trail connects the public parking lot with a canoe put-in on the northeast shore of Mud Pond, providing a shorter route to the pond and easier access to three primitive campsites established on the easement earlier this year. 

Two campsites are located on the east side of Mud Pond and one on the north shore. The tent-only sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated sites are marked with a yellow “Camp Here” disc. The 590-acre Mud Pond Area, which is open to public use year-round, also offers hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, hunting, and winter recreation opportunities. Campers and other visitors to the Cedarlands Conservation Easement are reminded to carry out what they carry in, be careful with campfires, and follow the seven Principles of Leave No Trace. 

The 4,890-acre Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract features two water bodies, Mud Pond and McRorie Lake (previously known as Rock Pond), and two prominent mountains, Rock Pond Mountain and Mud Pond Mountain. The public portion of the easement lands is divided into the Mud Pond Area and the 3,300-acre McRorie Lake Area, which is open to public use from August 24 through June 23. An additional designated campsite and a lean-to are located on the shores of McRorie Lake. There is no public use of the adjacent Base Camp Area.  

There are more than 900,000 acres of conservation easement lands managed by DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests in New York State. Conservation easements are partnerships between DEC and private landowners wherein the private landowner retains the right to manage the property for purposes such as sustainable timber production while providing additional outdoor recreation opportunities for the public and protecting open space by limiting development. Before visiting a conservation easement please review the specific regulations that apply to that place. Additional information about public recreation opportunities on the Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract can be found on DEC’s website.  

DEC Releases Final Crogan Tract RMP

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a final Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement. The Croghan Tract Conservation Easement is comprised of 12,816 acres of private forestland in the towns of Croghan and Watson in Lewis County.

Included in the final RMP is an inventory of natural and man-made resources and various opportunities for public recreation:

  • Continued use of 11 miles of road and the opening of an additional 5.3 miles of road to access the Croghan Tract and adjacent Forest Preserve lands;
  • Designation and construction of 11 parking areas;
  • Maintenance of 27.2 miles of snowmobile routes, including rights-of-way and secondary trails to serve as alternative routes during logging operations. Changes to the current snowmobile network include a reroute away from a hunting camp (0.3 miles), and a new trail to avoid plowed roads during logging operations (3.4 miles);
  • Construction of a 0.6 -mile foot trail to access the Eagle Canyon forest preserve parcel;
  • Designation of nine campsites including two accessible campsites;
  • An accessible car-top boat launch at Soft Maple Reservoir;
  • Access to hunting, fishing, and trapping throughout the property, subject to applicable seasons and regulations; and
  • New informational signage at primary access points.

The Croghan Tract Conservation Easement RMP is posted to view or download on the DEC website.

License Sales Triple in NY

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has reported that DEC is experiencing record-breaking sales of hunting and trapping licenses for upcoming seasons. Sales for big game hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) were nearly triple prior years’ sales on opening day, more than double on the second day and nearly double the first two weeks. DEC also announced that in-person Hunter Education, Bowhunter Education, and Trapper Education courses have resumed with appropriate social distancing and other precautions to limit the community spread of COVID-19. DEC transformed the Hunter Ed program at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to offer online certification, resulting in a dramatic 105-percent increase in participants completing the course compared to the traditional in-person courses offered in 2019.

DEC launched the State’s new automated system for selling fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses in July, and on Aug. 10, the system was activated for big game license sales and DMPs. The new DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS) includes user-friendly information to help locate vendors, receive instant copies of a license, enter and view harvest information, and more. On the first day of big game sales this year, DEC reported $922,444 in sales, compared to $347,103 in 2019. Over the first two weeks of license sales, sales have reached more than $6.2 million compared to approximately $3.5 million for the first two weeks in 2019. 

Purchasing a hunting or trapping license helps to support DEC conservation projects and ensures natural resources are protected for generations to come. Through the purchase of New York sporting licenses, hunters and anglers help generate an estimated $75 million to help conserve fish and wildlife, enhance habitat, and protect natural resources. Hunting and fishing build a sense of stewardship of fish and wildlife resources and habitats, provide an opportunity for experienced hunters and anglers to share their knowledge with others, and promote participation in hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting through the mentoring of young hunters and anglers. New York’s hunters and anglers contribute an estimated $4.9 billion to the economy in spending, which supports more than 56,000 jobs and $623 million in state and local taxes. Continue reading →

NYS 2020-21 HUNTING AND TRAPPING LICENSES GO ON SALE AUG. 10 

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2020-2021 season will go on sale Monday, August 10.  Licenses and permits can be purchased at any one of DEC’s license-issuing agents, by telephone at 866-933-2257, or online (leaves DEC website). The new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase. 

New York’s habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting or trapping license helps to support DEC’s important conservation projects and ensures the future of natural resources for generations to come. DEC also encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp support projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish-and-wildlife-related activities. This year’s Habitat & Access Stamp features a northern leopard frog. Last year’s Habitat & Access Stamp featuring a bull moose was the most popular stamp in DEC history, with more than 25,000 sold. 

Deer Management Permits (DMPs) 
DMPs are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1, 2020. DMPs are used to manage the deer herd and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period; hunters need not rush to apply. The 2020 chances of selection for a DMP 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 and this fall’s Deer Season Forecast is available on DEC’s website. 

The new Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which provides an easy-to-read compendium of all pertinent rules and regulations, is available on the DEC Hunting Regulations webpage. A summary of hunting and trapping regulations is currently available at license issuing agents, and copies of the full hunting and trapping regulations guide will be available at license issuing agents beginning Sept. 1. 

 

Expanded Call Center Hours 
Beginning Aug. 10, the DEC Call Center is accessible from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 1. Regular call cener weekday hours will resume on Oct. 2. Continue reading →

Online Bowhunter Education Now Available

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos  announced that a new online bowhunter education certification course opens today, July 15, 2020. A bowhunter education course is required for all hunters who use a bow and arrow to hunt deer or bear.  All hunters must also complete a mandatory hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

To take the online course and receive a bowhunter education certificate, you must be a New York State resident. The cost of the course is $30. The course can be accessed at https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/newyork/. The online course will be available through August 31, 2020.

All in-person bowhunter education courses have been cancelled this year during the State’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The online course provides an opportunity for new archery hunters to get their required bowhunter education certificates before the fall hunting seasons begin. Since the April 15 launch of DEC’s new online hunter education course, more than 30,000 people have completed the course. Nearly 70 percent of those completing the online course are 21 or over, and almost 40 percent are women.

DEC’s Hunter Education Program is partnering with Kalkomey Enterprises, a company that specializes in hunter education, to offer online courses that can be completed in six to eight hours. The online course covers all the topics of the traditional in-person course including bow safety, tree stand safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and New York State hunting laws and regulations.

Students who successfully complete the online bowhunter education course and pass the final exam will receive their bowhunter education certificate. The course is available to individuals aged 11 years and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time.

State Acquires Several Parcels in/near North and Western Adirondacks

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced the acquisition of several parcels totaling 662 acres in St. Lawrence, Oneida, and Lewis counties to enhance public access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and hunting, as well as to protect critical wetlands and forests in the region. The acquisition was made possible through cumulative investments of $666,800 from the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

St. Lawrence County Parcels : DEC worked with The Conservation Fund to purchase 293 acres in the town of Hopkinton on State Route 72, known as the Schisler Tract. This $227,000 acquisition using EPF funding creates opportunities in the Whiskey Flats State Forest for sustainable forestry and public recreation such as hunting, hiking, and fishing for species like brook trout in Rosenbarker Brook.

Also in the town of Clifton, DEC acquired the former site of a large log cabin and boat house on Dead Creek Flow built in the late 1880s and known as Tramps Retreat for $131,400. Tramps Retreat frequently hosted prominent figures of the day including Frederick Remington, Irving Bacheller, and Governor Roswell Flower.  The building was destroyed by fire in 1957. This 11-acre acquisition in a remote part of Cranberry Lake where development is limited supports efforts to preserve the area’s natural character. The parcel is bounded by Cranberry Lake Wild Forest in the Forest Preserve and includes 600 feet of frontage on the lake.

An additional 34-acre parcel purchased for $19,500 in the town of Madrid will consolidate Sodom State Forest. This area offers hunting and trapping opportunities and provides critical wetland protection.

Oneida County Parcel: The state’s acquisition of 324 acres in the town of Western for $272,500 connects Buck Hill and Clark Hill state forests. This beautiful natural area serves as an important connectivity corridor for wildlife movement between the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondacks. The public will have access to hiking trails that lead to beautiful vistas and hunting opportunities.

Lewis County Parcel: DEC invested $16,400 for a public access easement over the 2,800-foot-long Fall Brook Access Road in the town of Osceola. The easement provides public access to the west portion of the 30,000-acre East Branch Fish Creek easement lands from North Osceola Road over Fall Brook. The opportunities to fish for brook trout are abundant and this route also serves as the main snowmobile corridor between Oswego and Lewis counties and points east.

DEC launching new version of DECALS

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the launch of the State’s new system for the sale of fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses. The new DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS)includes user-friendly information to help users locate vendors, receive instant copies of a license, enter and view harvest information, and more. 

As the system’s new features are updated, additional functionality launching on DECALS will include: 

  • Events calendar with upcoming season dates, youth hunts, free fishing days and clinics, and more;
  • Full integration with DEC’s Hunter Education Program enabling users to more easily register for courses and automatically update certifications; and
  • Auto-renewal options for all annual licenses.

 

Users can access DECALS by phone and online. New York State’s 1,100 license issuing agents are expected to be up and running on the new DECALS system soon, so contact local agents before heading out to purchase licenses in person. Call DEC’s customer service hotline (866-933-2257) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to the DECALS website and buy licenses online.

Please note that previous DECALS logins will not work in the new system. To access current accounts, click on the ‘Sign Up’ link on the new DECALS website and use date of birth and DEC customer ID number or a driver’s license number to locate existing files and create a new login. Please call DEC’s customer service line at 866-933-2257 with any questions.

The new system is developed and supported by Kalkomey, a company that specializes in outdoor recreation and education web applications. Kalkomey currently provides hunter education classes for 46 states, including New York, as well as in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. DEC recently announced the success of Kalkomey’s online hunter and bowhunter safety courses for New York State, which allow new hunters to take classes online during the State’s response to COVID-19. Nearly 28,000 men, women, and children have taken the course to date, which was extended through Aug. 31, 2020.

Students who successfully complete the online courses and pass the final exam will receive their hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate. The courses are available to individuals 11 and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time. Visit DEC’s Hunter Education Program page to learn more or to sign up.

To take and receive a hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate through the online course, participants must be New York State residents. The cost of the hunter education course is $19.95 and the cost for the bowhunter education course is $30. Both courses can be accessed at DEC’s website. The online courses will be available through Aug. 31, 2020.