Deer Hunting in New York

Most hunters have a favorite place to hunt, where they return year after year. Over 75 percent of New York's hunters prefer to hunt private lands, yet there are millions of acres in the Adirondacks, Catskills, wildlife management areas, state forests and even some state parks where hunting is allowed. In fact, you can find state lands that offer hunting in nearly every county.

If you'd like to try someplace different to hunt, but don't want to be in an area with many other hunters, consider lesser-known locations. Choose the time and place carefully, and hunt mid-week, if possible. Deer hunting season runs through mid-December (depending on location). Visit DEC's hunting seasons webpage for specifics.

Break out of your "rut" and visit DEC's Places to Hunt to find public lands near you.

Hike of the Month: Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center

Voorheesville (Albany County)

Located atop the Heldeberg Escarpment, Thacher Park and the nearby Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center offer miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Each of the trails is a relatively easy hike. The Lake Trail features a short trip to the shore of Thompson's Lake and is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Winding through woodlands and fossilized limestone, the one-mile School House Trail leads to an historic, one-room schoolhouse before looping around the edge of the woods. For serious hikers, the one-mile Meadow Loop Trail meanders through the woods and meadows, and then links with the Salisbury Trail, the 356-mile Long Path Trail and the Thacher Park trail system.

Visit the new Thacher Park Visitors Center, with museum exhibits, interactive displays, a fire pit and covered balcony with amazing views.

Winter Wildlife: Seals in the City

Seals around New York City? You bet–and any time from November through May, you could get a glimpse of harbor and grey seals basking on sand bars, rocks and remote beaches off the shores and along Long Island. What to look for? Harbor seals have rounded bodies and spotted silver-gray, black or dark brown coats. Males average 5-5½ feet long and weigh 200-250 pounds, while females are slightly smaller. Harbor seals have fan-shaped flippers, and their average dive lasts three minutes, but they can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes! Some of the best places to watch them are:

• Cupsogue Beach County Park, Suffolk County, Long Island
• East and West Shinnecock County Park, Suffolk County, Long Island
• Jones Beach State Park, Nassau County, Long Island
• Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County
• Montauk Point State Park, Suffolk County, Long Island

Check out the October 2018 Conservationist to learn about another marine mammal that inhabits the waters of NYC and Long Island: whales!

Grey Seal by Al Mapes

Shore Fishing for Oneida Lake Walleyes

Fall can be a great time of year for shore anglers to target walleye on Oneida Lake. As the water begins to cool, large schools of gizzard shad move into the shallow areas near shore, and walleye follow this abundant food source there. Anglers either stand on shore or don chest waders to go out in the water. The best fishing usually occurs about an hour before and an hour after sunset.

Learn how to fish for walleye.

Nature Notes

Harbor seals' teary-looking eyes are actually covered with mucus, which protects against saltwater.

Upcoming DEC Events

Family Fun: Acorns, Oaks and Lots of Jokes, 11/3 at 2 p.m. at Five Rivers EEC

Wild Wednesday, 11/14 at 4:30 p.m. at Reinstein Woods EEC

Family Fun: Corvids, 11/17 at 10 a.m. at Five Rivers EEC

Outdoor Skills, 11/24 at 10 a.m. at Reinstein Woods EEC

Select Hunting Season Openings
Deer and Black Bear Southern Zone

• Crossbow: November 3
• Regular: November 17

Long Island

• Turkey: November 17 (Suffolk County)
• Cottontail Rabbit: November 1
• Pheasant: November 1

For all hunting seasons, visit DEC’s website.

Check out the October 2018 Conservationist

In the October Conservationist, you can learn how climate change may affect New York’s forests and wildlife, and get an insider’s perspective on New York’s efforts to protect whales.

You can also celebrate autumn’s amazing colors, read about the tradition of hunting camps, and discover two lesser-traveled Adirondack hikes. There’s this, and more, in the October Conservationist. 

Don't miss it! Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.