Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

DEC Announces 2022 Bear Harvest Totals

New York bear hunters harvested an estimated 1,318 black bears during the 2022 hunting seasons. Overall harvest declined slightly compared to the 2021 hunting season, with the greatest harvest density occurring in areas of the Catskills. An estimated 458 bears were harvested in the Northern Zone and an estimated 860 bears in the Southern Zone. This represents roughly 14% more bears harvested in the north and 9% fewer in the south than in 2021. However, 2022’s total bear harvest was only about 10% fewer bears than the 5-year average.

Despite an overall lower harvest, hunters harvested more than 10 bears per 100 square miles in Wildlife Management Units (WMU) 3C, 3H, 3K, and 3M, with hunters harvesting more than 15 bears per 100 square miles in WMU 4R. Hunters aged from 13 to 93 successfully harvested a bear in 2022, with the heaviest bear, harvested in Broome County in the town of Windsor, weighing in at 520 pounds.

Black bear harvest data are gathered from two main sources: harvest reports required of all successful bear hunters; and the physical examination of bears by DEC staff and cooperating taxidermists. Harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources and determining the rate at which hunters report bear harvests in each zone. In 2022, 80% of successful bear hunters in the Northern Zone and 89% of successful bear hunters in the Southern Zone reported their harvest. DEC also requests that successful bear hunters submit a premolar tooth from the bear to determine its age. DEC uses this information to assess the impact of bear harvest on the age distribution of the bear population. In 2022, DEC received 612 teeth from harvested bears. Hunters who reported their bear harvest and submitted a tooth for age analysis are provided a 2022 Black Bear Management Coordinator Patch and will be informed of the age of their bear in the fall of 2023.

DEC’s 2022 Bear Harvest Summary report provides tables, charts, and maps detailing the bear harvest around the state. Past harvest summaries are also available on DEC’s website. DEC’s Black Bear Management Plan (PDF) provides information on how black bear population objectives are determined throughout the state.

DEC to Host 2nd Annual Long Island Youth Turkey Program

A two-part, hands-on program on youth turkey hunting will be offered in April. This free event is part of the state's Youth Turkey Program designed to introduce youth between the ages of 12 and 15 to the fundamentals of turkey hunting and provide an opportunity to hunt on public lands under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

The program consists of two parts:

• orientation at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on April 19; and
• a mentored hunt on public lands during the spring youth turkey weekend on April 22 and 23.

The program is limited to 20 participants and requires youth hunters to possess a Hunter Education Training Certificate, a valid Junior Hunting License for small game, and a valid turkey tag.

The Youth Turkey Program is hosted by DEC's Division of Law Enforcement and the New York State Conservation Officers Association, with support from the DEC Hunter Education Program, National Wild Turkey Federation, and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

For more information or to register, contact Environmental Conservation Officer Taylor Della Rocco at taylor.dellarocco@dec.ny.gov, call the Regional DEC Hunter Education Office at (631) 444-0255, or email R1SportsmanEducation@dec.ny.gov. Registration for the Youth Turkey Program is open through April 5, 2023.

Summer Employment Opportunities

Would you like to work in New York State's beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves this summer?

2023 Summer Camps Program

We are actively recruiting Directors, Assistant Directors, Waterfront Directors, Cooks, Nurses, EMTs, Counselors, and Camp Aides for the 2023 Summer Camps Program. All positions offer competitive salaries, plus room and board for the summer.

Locations of DEC Summer Camps:

• Camp Colby in Saranac Lake;
• Camp Pack Forest in Warrensburg;
• Camp Rushford in Caneadea; and
• Camp DeBruce, near Livingston Manor.

DEC Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education, and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for youth. Camp staff engage campers in ecological principles such as field, forest, aquatic, wildlife, and human impact and outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. Learn more about the employment opportunities and how you can apply to work at DEC Environmental Education Camps.

DEC Campgrounds and Day-use Areas

Be a part of a team that helps vacationers enjoy the great outdoors in the Catskill Forest Preserve and Adirondack Park. Positions available include Lifeguard, Maintenance, Security, Supervisor, and more! Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

For more information on available positions or to apply for a position call 518-457-2500, e-mail campinfo@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Campground Seasonal Employment webpage on DEC's website.

Lifeguard Positions

Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds. The current hourly starting rate for New York State lifeguards is $20 an hour, and most DEC facilities offer free housing or site accommodations.

Candidates who qualify will be considered for employment. The qualifying procedure consists of two parts: a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills component; and a water skills evaluation. Candidates may attend the qualifying location most convenient to them and the results will be forwarded to their preferred work location. 

At the time of employment, all DEC lifeguards must:

• Be at least 15 years old;
• Possess a valid certification in Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent;
• Successfully completed the New York State lifeguard qualifying procedure;
• Submitted a current New York State DEC medical form stating the candidate's physical ability to perform lifeguard duties;
• Meet the vision requirement of 20/70 uncorrected in both eyes and be correctable to the 20/40 standard. Candidates tested at a vision level below 20/40 in either one or both eyes must correct to a minimum of 20/40 with 20/20 preferred;
• Completed a personal interview with DEC; and
• Attended a DEC lifeguard orientation.

For more information, updates, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1, e-mail Info.Lifeguard@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Lifeguard Positions webpage on DEC's website.

2023 Exam Dates for Licensed Guides Program

DEC announced exam schedules for individuals seeking to become licensed guides. DEC is offering exams for guiding in camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking, and rock or ice climbing.

A guide must be at least 18 years of age. Guides offer services for hire, directing, instructing, or aiding others in a variety of recreational activities. DEC's Special Licenses Unit administers licensing of outdoor guides. Applicants are not required to be New York State residents to receive a license.

To provide enhanced access to examinations, DEC is offering licensed guide examinations online in 2023. Dates and registration details are below:

• March 31, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by March 29, 2023;
• May 12, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by May 10, 2023;
• June 23, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by June 21, 2023;
• July 7, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by July 5, 2023;
• Sept. 15, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by Sept. 13, 2023; and
• Oct. 13, 2023 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Registration must be received by Oct. 11, 2023.

Directions on how to register are available on DEC's 2023 Licensed Guide Exams Registration webpage. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging registration and an additional one-time link for use to access the website on the date of the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam(s), applicants will receive information on applying for the appropriate guide license, including an application form. Please do not send applications or fees prior to passing the examination(s).

An outline of exam content, a study guide, and additional information can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage. The Fieldbook, a reference book published by the Boy Scouts of America, is also recommended and can be found at a local library or bookstore. A list of current New York State Licensed Guides is available online.

For questions or assistance, contact the Special Licenses Unit at NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752; Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925; Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov.