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The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with the State Department of Health (DOH), today announced a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a facility in DEC’s Region 6 area on Oct. 25. The state is now implementing New York State’s interagency CWD Response Plan (PDF) developed jointly by DEC and AGM to thoroughly investigate this detection and enhance surveillance of wild deer in the area.

CWD is a transmissible disease that affects the brain and central nervous system of certain deer, elk, and moose. At this time, the threat to public health is low. Although there is no strong evidence that CWD can infect humans, people should not consume meat from infected animals. More information about CWD can be found at DEC’s website and DOH’s website.

The sample was collected as part of routine surveillance conducted by AGM, and the case was confirmed through testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories. State and federal agency partners are continuing to investigate this detection and take actions to prevent the potential spread of CWD in New York State.

While there is no evidence that CWD is present in wild deer at this time, DEC will initiate enhanced surveillance in wild deer working with local hunters, processors, and taxidermists in the area. Efforts are also underway to collect roadkill to determine if CWD is present in wild deer. This enhanced sampling and monitoring will inform additional actions to guide the state’s disease management strategy.

Hunters and members of the public are encouraged to report any sick or dying deer, including roadkill deer, in the Region 6 area to DEC for possible collection and testing by contacting DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263 or email at [email protected]

As CWD continues to spread in other states, hunters have great responsibility to prevent CWD introduction to New York’s wild deer population. CWD is always fatal to deer and if introduced to wild populations, may spread rapidly, and is nearly impossible to eliminate once established. Hunters can help protect New York’s deer herd from CWD by following these tips:

• If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the harvest before bringing it back to the state. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts;
• Avoid deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain infectious material. If using lures, use synthetics;
• Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not out on the landscape;
• Contact the nearest DEC regional wildlife office or Environmental Conservation Police Officer to report a deer that appears sick, unusually thin, or behaves abnormally; and
• Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles
• Do not consume game that appears sick or diseased.

New York State will keep the public informed as the CWD surveillance efforts continue and additional information will be provided as it is available.

DEC began CWD monitoring efforts in 2002 and intensified the effort in 2005 after CWD was confirmed in both captive and wild deer in Oneida County – the first incidents of the disease in New York State. Since that time, DEC has tested more than 65,000 wild deer statewide with no additional cases discovered in New York.

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A reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be requested by individuals with disabilities whose needs are not met by the Modified Longbow authorization or Modified Crossbow Special Permit. Certification of disability by a licensed physician is required for a reasonable accommodation for unmodified crossbow use to be granted. Your physician must certify that: “The individual is incapable of holding a bow or operating a mechanical device attached to a legal longbow for drawing, holding, and releasing a bowstring due to a physical disability.” See Form and Instructions to Request a Reasonable Accommodation for an Unmodified Crossbow (PDF). Hunters using an unmodified crossbow during the full bowhunting season under authority of a reasonable accommodation must possess a bowhunting privilege and a certificate of bowhunter education.

See Instructions to Request a Reasonable Accommodation for an Unmodified Crossbow (PDF).

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of regulations to implement a black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) tournament permit and reporting system. The no-cost black bass tournament permitting and reporting system will help identify the distribution and occurrence of black bass tournaments across the state.

New York’s excellent bass fishery is leading to a significant increase in the number of black bass fishing tournaments being held over the last several decades. However, the overall extent of tournament activity remains unknown and limits the ability of DEC fisheries biologists to appropriately understand and manage these fisheries for the benefit of both tournament and recreational anglers. 

The black bass tournament permit and reporting system will provide information on the extent of tournament activity and tournament results, which will be instrumental for the appropriate management of black bass fisheries. This system will also provide information on black bass tournament locations and schedules, benefiting tournament planners and anglers in general.

DEC first proposed the regulation in April 2024. An assessment of the public comments received on the regulatory proposal and the final regulation is available on DEC’s website.

Black bass tournament permits are only required for fishing tournaments where black bass are the targeted species and the tournament has 10 or more participants. Fishing tournament directors can begin applying for black bass tournament permits via an online permitting system on Sept. 9 for tournaments that begin on or after Jan. 1, 2025. 

Additional information on the black bass tournament permit and reporting system, including a map with permitted tournaments and links to the online application and reporting forms, can be found at Bass Fishing Tournament Permit.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on July 11 issued a high-water advisory following recent heavy rains and is urging hikers to postpone hikes near waterways and on high-elevation trails. Hikers can recreate safely and reduce negative impacts on trails to help protect natural resources throughout the Adirondack Park during this time. 

Regional waterbodies rose considerably after recent rains from Hurricane Beryl. Streams and rivers are running high and fast with strong currents. Hikers should avoid trails that include stream crossings and use all available high-water routes. Do not attempt to cross swift-moving streams and rivers. Turn back and return another day. 

Current trail conditions across the Adirondack Park are extremely wet and can pose risks to hikers such as falling due to unstable trail tread and slippery rocks, as well as hypothermia. Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid high-elevation trails because sliding boots destroy trail tread, damage surrounding vegetation, and cause washouts by eroding thin soils.  

Hikers are encouraged to check the weather for the day of, night of, and day after their trips in case of an unexpected overnight. Storms can emerge suddenly and quickly in high elevations. Water levels rise rapidly in heavy rains and can become impassable within minutes. Avoid getting caught on the wrong side of a stream and turn back at any signs of changing weather conditions. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and The Nature Conservancy in New York today announced the State’s acquisition of two conservation easements that together provide public recreational access, protect natural resources, and establish a first-of-its kind research preserve on the Follensby Pond property. This announcement follows the historic agreement announced by Governor Kathy Hochul to permanently protect more than 14,600 acres of ecologically unique and historically significant Adirondack forests, wetlands, and watershed. 

The Nature Conservancy retains ownership of the Follensby property and New York State has acquired two conservation easements that protect in perpetuity these natural resources in the Adirondacks. Conservation of these properties is identified as a high priority in the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan, and acquisition of these conservation easements advances New York State’s efforts to conserve 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030, in line with the global 30×30 initiative to protect the world’s lands and waters.

Raquette River Recreational Access Conservation Easement  

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