What to know about second deer hunting season in New York
I continue to see signs that this year’s deer harvest may fall short of last season. As I’ve noted in earlier columns, you may have to hunt longer and harder to fill your tags. But, if you haven’t filled your larder by the end of the late archery and muzzleloader season that closes on Dec. 21, starting this year you will be able to hunt here in the Southern Zone from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. You’ll be able to use your bow, crossbow and muzzleloader; shotguns, rifles and pistols cannot be used.
The new season provides an additional seven days of hunting, and you’ll need an archery or muzzleloader license to participate. Use any valid deer carcass tag to make your harvest legal.
Because there is a growing interest in hunting, the Department of Environmental Conservation saw the new, post-season hunt as an opportunity to provide new opportunities for New Yorkers and visiting hunters to go afield during a time when families and friends are gathering for the holidays. It also comes at a time when students may be home on school break. Hopefully, the more experienced hunters will make it a point to take younger hunters afield to help build their knowledge base and develop their skills. If younger hunters enjoy their first trips afield it may help them develop a lifelong interest in hunting.
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The expanded hunting season applies only to the Southern Zone, it will not be offered in the Northern Zone because by late December the deer may already be moving to wintering areas. Hunting in areas where there are migrating deer, or deer gathering in areas where there is enough food and shelter to get them through the winter, could create areas of overharvest.
DEC plans to adaptively manage this new program and assess any potential impacts to other outdoor recreational activities or localized deer herds, making adjustments as necessary.
The regulatory process requires a 60-day public comment period for proposed changes. More than 3,000 comments were received about the new hunt. It was surprising just how many comments were received in which writers expressed the opinion that because snowmobiling is safer than deer hunting, “first dibs” should go to the snowmobilers. As is so often the case, these things quickly morph into a turf war.
Factually, snowmobiling is more dangerous than deer hunting. Using 2019 as the benchmark, there was one snowmobile accident per 1,107 registered sleds, and one fatality per 5,081 sleds. That same year, there was one hunting-related shooting incident per 47,500 hunters and one fatality per 570,000 hunters.
The Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation is the regulatory agency for snowmobiles here in the state. By the close of the 2018-2019 season the agency reported 157 total accidents and 21 fatalities. The agency believes while all fatalities are reported, it is possible that some number of property damage accidents may go unreported each year.
As for competition between hunters and snowmobilers, snowfall records reveal that no portions of the Southern Zone consistently have adequate snow cover for snowmobiling during the week between Christmas and New Year. In most years, the entire Southern Zone either lacks snow or has very shallow cover during that time that the Holiday Hunt will take place.
Given the requirement for use of primitive weapons, biologists do not anticipate a significant effect on deer harvest or local deer populations.
Get shot and win lifetime sporting license
The governor last week announced a new vaccine incentive program for outdoor enthusiasts including hunters, anglers and bird watchers.
This opportunity is for people who have yet to be vaccinated. The first 2,000 New Yorkers who receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination between Dec. 1 and the end of year will be eligible to enter a random drawing.
Five grand prize winners will be randomly selected receive their choice of deluxe fishing, hunting and birding packages. Each package will include a lifetime license and the highest quality hunting and fishing gear. The deluxe birding package will include a spotting scope, binoculars and more.
In addition, 25 entrants will be randomly selected to receive their choice of second tier fishing and hunting packages, including annual licenses and equipment specific to angling, bowhunting, rifle hunting and turkey hunting. The beginning birder package includes binoculars, birdfeeder, bird seed, and I Bird NY materials.
Information about how to enter the sweepstakes is available on the DEC website. All eligible entrants must adhere to all applicable requirements to receive a hunting or fishing license in New York, including completion of required Hunter Education courses and other rules.
Bill Conners of the Federation of Fish and Game Clubs writes on outdoors issues. Email: conners@billconners.net.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: New deer hunting season in New York; what to know
