DEC Announces Nov. 18 Start of Regular Firearms Season for Deer and Bear Hunting in Southern Zone
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 11/13/2017 02:06 PM ESTDEC Delivers Press Release -Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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DEC Announces Nov. 18 Start of Regular Firearms Season for Deer and Bear Hunting in Southern Zone |
Hunters Encouraged to Pass on Shots on Young BucksWith the start of New York's most popular big game season slated for Saturday, Nov. 18, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging hunters to be safe, enjoy the natural beauty of the environment, and consider passing up shots on young bucks. "New York has some of the best hunting opportunities in the nation, and our ongoing conservation efforts and hunter safety programs are providing ample opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy all New York has to offer," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Deer and bear hunting is also an important tool for New Yorkers to assist our wildlife management efforts and critical for controlling populations especially in areas and habitats where deer overabundance are causing ecological damage. The opening of the Southern Zone regular season is a cherished tradition for many families, drawing friends and relatives together for a weekend afield. I wish all hunters a safe and successful season." Deer hunting has been changing in New York, with more hunters opting to voluntarily pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks in favor of letting them grow to be older, larger bucks. DEC is encouraging hunters to make a difference for the future of the deer herd and increase their likelihood of seeing older, larger bucks by choosing to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow. Regular Firearms Season for Deer and Bear Begins Nov. 18 Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will run from Dec. 11 through Dec. 19. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bowhunting or muzzleloading privilege(s). In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 21, and will close at sunset on Dec. 3. 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. 4 to Dec. 10. DEC Encourages Hunter Safety Firearms Safety:
DEC also encourages hunters to wear blaze orange or pink. Wearing orange or pink prevents other hunters from mistaking a person for an animal, or shooting in a hunter's direction. Hunters who wear hunter orange are seven times less likely to be shot. When hunting in tree stands, use a safety harness and a climbing belt, as most tree stand accidents occur when hunters are climbing in and out of the stand. Also, hunters should never climb in or out of a tree stand with a loaded rifle and never set a tree stand above 20 feet. Help Protect New York Deer from Chronic Wasting Disease
Report Your Harvest - Remember: Take It - Tag It - Report It Additional Reminders for the 2017 Southern Zone Regular Hunting Season Hunger Has A Cure... The Venison Donation Program is a great way to help those less fortunate while assisting with deer management in New York. For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2017-2018 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide available on DEC's website. Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips in the guide. Hunters may also be interested in DEC's Hunting the Black Bear in New York (PDF, 727 KB) or reviewing DEC's unit-by-unit Deer Hunting Forecasts. |