Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Late Season Deer Hunting Opportunities

Even though deer hunting has ended in the Northern Zone and the Southern Zone Regular Season has wrapped up, hunters still have a few opportunities to secure venison for their families.

The Holiday Deer Hunt is an extension of the late bow and muzzleloader season, running from December 26, 2021 through January 1, 2022 and will provide new deer hunting opportunity when people may have time off from work or students are on a break from school. Hunters must possess a bowhunting or muzzleloading privilege to participate in the late bow or muzzleloader seasons and may use all deer carcass tags valid during those seasons.

Additional late season opportunities include:

• Bowhunting for deer continues in Westchester County until December 31.
• The January Firearms Season in Suffolk County is open January 2-31.
• The special Deer Management Focus Area Season for antlerless deer in central Tompkins County is January 8-31.

These late seasons are a great time to put some venison in the freezer or donate venison to others. Yet, this is also the time of year that hunters may begin losing their resolve to pass young, small-antlered bucks. Focusing harvest on antlerless deer instead contributes to population management and eases up the pressure on antlered bucks. Every late season deer hunter has at least one tag for antlerless deer, with either-sex and antlerless-only Bow/Muzz tags and unfilled regular season tags which can also be used for antlerless deer during the late seasons. When hunters choose to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow, there is a great chance those bucks will be available next year with more meat and larger antlers.

Remember, it is now a requirement to wear blaze orange or pink when pursuing deer with a firearm. This requirement helps you identify other hunters that may be downrange and alerts hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts that they are sharing the woods with you. Additionally, always follow the basics of hunter safety:

1. Assume every gun is loaded.
2. Control the muzzle. Point your gun in a safe direction.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and beyond.

Photo courtesy of A. Skrabucha

The State Launches New 'Take Your Shot for an Outdoor Adventure' Vaccine Incentive Sweepstakes for Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts

New York State has a new vaccine incentive to bolster vaccination rates among New Yorkers who enjoy the great outdoors. Anyone who receives their first vaccine dose between December 1 through December 31, 2021, will have the opportunity to enter the 'Take Your Shot for an Outdoor Adventure' sweepstakes and a random drawing to win special prize packages tailored to anglers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Five entrants will be randomly selected to receive the grand prize and the opportunity to choose one of the following deluxe packages valued at approximately $2,000:

• Fishing: Lifetime fishing license, fishing kayak, vest, rod and reel;
• Bowhunter: Lifetime hunter and bowhunting license, high-quality crossbow package or compound bow package with ½ dozen bolts or arrows, ladder tree stand, safety harness/fall arrest system, and 10x42 binoculars;
• Rifle hunter: Lifetime sportsman license, high-quality riflescope, ladder tree stand, safety harness/fall arrest system, and 10x42 binoculars;
• Turkey hunter: Lifetime sportsman license, high-quality ground blind, turkey hunting vest, hen decoy pair, shotgun optical sight, slate call, and 10x42 binoculars; and
• Birding: 20-60x spotting scope, 10x42 binoculars, bird feeder, bird seed, bird house, deluxe birding guide, and I Bird NY materials

Twenty-five entrants will be randomly selected to receive second tier prizes and the choice of one of the following packages, valued at approximately $1,000:

• Fishing: Annual fishing license, fishing kayak, vest, rod and reel;
• Bowhunter: Annual hunter and bowhunting license, high-quality crossbow OR compound bow package with ½ dozen bolts or arrows, a ladder tree stand, a safety harness/fall arrest system, and 8x42 binoculars;
• Riflehunter: Annual hunting license, high-quality riflescope, a ladder tree stand, a safety harness/fall arrest system, and 8x42 binoculars;
• Turkey hunter: Annual hunting license and turkey permit, high quality ground blind, turkey hunting vest, hen decoy, slate call, and 8x42 binoculars; and
• Birder: 8x42 binoculars, birdfeeder, bird seed and I Bird NY materials.

The first 2,000 people to receive their first vaccination between December 1 through December 31, 2021 and enter the sweepstakes by Dec. 31, 2021, will receive a tree seedling from DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Tree Nursery in Saratoga, and their choice of either a $25 gift card for a free night of camping at a DEC campground, or a $25 gift card to a major sporting goods retailer. In addition, the 2,000 sweepstakes entrants will receive a one-year subscription to DEC's Conservationist magazine, which is currently celebrating its 75th year in publication.

Information about how to enter the sweepstakes is available on DEC's website. All eligible, vaccinated entrants must adhere to all applicable requirements to receive a hunting or fishing license in New York State, including completion of required Hunter Education courses and other rules. For more information, visit DEC's Hunting Licenses and Fishing Licenses webpages.