Hunting and Trapping Newsletter
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/09/2019 10:08 AM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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Hunting and Trapping Newsletter |
September Canada Goose Seasons Now OpenSeptember Canada goose seasons occur in all goose hunting zones with the exception of the Western Long Island zone. All upstate areas run September 1 through September 25. Canada goose seasons in the Central and Eastern Long Island zones begin on the Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday (September 3rd this year) and run through September 30. In the Western Long Island zone, the season opens on October 12th. The September seasons include liberal bag limits (eight to 15 birds/day, depending on the zone), extended shooting hours, and other special regulations to maximize hunter success. You can find additional details on waterfowl hunting regulations, season dates, hunting area boundaries, and bag limits on DEC's website. To participate in the September Canada goose hunting season, hunters must:
Hunting Safety and Etiquette TipsDEC reminds hunters to follow simple safety guidelines and use good judgment when choosing a time and place to hunt. Considering other people who enjoy the outdoors or live nearby can help avoid potential conflicts and ensure a safe and enjoyable season. As coastal areas become more populated, it is important for new landowners to receive a good impression of the safety, ethics and traditions of waterfowl hunting. A little courtesy and time spent before a hunt can go a long way to avoid or minimize conflicts with property owners and other outdoor enthusiasts. DEC encourages hunters to:
Bowhunters Help Monitor Wildlife PopulationsIn 2018, nearly 3,800 bowhunters logged an average of 12.1 days afield and 3.6 hours per day during the bowhunting season. Examples of the trend information for deer and turkeys obtained from the BowLogs are shown in the graphs below. You can find more information about the BowLog on DEC's website, and sighting trends for deer are included in the annual harvest report. We are gearing up for the 2019 Bowhunter Sighting Log and welcome new participants. DEC Announces Early Bear HuntingIn southeastern New York, the early bear season runs from September 7 to September 22 in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, and 4R. The early bowhunting season for bears will then open in all of the Southern Zone on October 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning November 16. In northern New York, the early bear season runs from September 14 to October 18 in WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, and 6J. Bowhunting season for bears also begins on September 14 in the other Northern Zone units (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, and 6N). Muzzleloader season then opens in all northern WMUs on October 19, followed by the regular firearms season for bears on October 26. During the early season, bear hunters may use a bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle (where allowed). Because of the likelihood of warm weather, bear hunters should be prepared to skin and cool harvested bears as soon as possible to protect the quality of the meat. Hunters may opt to skin and quarter the bear in the field, then pack out the meat in game bags to a waiting cooler of ice. Hunters are required to report their bear harvest within seven days. DEC encourages hunters to submit a premolar tooth and the scaled-dressed weights of the bears they harvest. DEC uses the teeth to determine the bear’s age and uses the weights to monitor bears' physical condition. Hunters who report their harvest and submit a premolar tooth from the bear are eligible to receive a commemorative NYS Black Bear Management Cooperator Patch. |