Hunting & Trapping Newsletter

DEC Querying Hunters about Crossbow Use

Hunters in New York have been allowed to use crossbows to hunt big game since 2011. Currently, crossbows may be used by any person age 14 or older to hunt deer, bear, and most small game species. To better understand the level of crossbows use, and how that may change if laws associated with crossbow use are modified, we’re asking hunters to respond to a brief survey. A random selection of licensed hunters will be sent the questionnaire via e-mail in the coming weeks and are encouraged to respond.

Atlantic Brant Migration and Breeding Ecology Study

Atlantic brant are a small goose species that breed in northern Canada and spend winters in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. About 90% of the entire population winters along the coast of New Jersey and New York! During winter of 2018, DEC kicked-off a 5-year study with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and the Canadian Wildlife Service on brant migration and breeding ecology.

Last winter, DEC and NJ DEP staff marked brant with GPS transmitters and tiny geolocators. The geolocators are clear, plastic electronics about the size of a "fat nickel" and are attached to a red and white plastic leg band. If you observe brant with leg bands, please contact us at wildlife@dec.ny.gov or at 518-402-8883. Thanks for your help!

Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count, coordinated by Audubon, is the nation's longest-running community science bird project. It’s also a perfect way to spend time outdoors with friends and family observing wildlife during the holiday season. You can add to a century of community science data by signing up for a count near you. Happy holidays!