Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Reducing Human- Bear Conflicts

After hibernating through a long winter, groggy black bears across New York State are beginning to venture out of their dens, stretch their legs, and look for their first meals of spring. Adult male bears are usually the first to emerge and may have lost up to 30 percent of their body weight, while females with nursing cubs emerge later and may have lost up to 40 percent of their body weight. Bears are especially hungry in the spring due to depleted fat reserves and will search extensively for easily obtainable, calorie dense foods.

While bears have access to plenty of natural foods in the spring, they will readily utilize human food sources such as bird feeders, unsecured garbage, chicken coops, apiaries, or messy grills and pet food left outdoors. Continued access to human food sources can make bears bolder, which can lead to an escalation in human-bear conflicts around homes and residential areas. If you choose to feed birds in areas with bears, begin emptying and cleaning up spilt seed from feeders in mid-March, and let nature feed the birds from spring through fall. It’s also a good time to make sure garbage cans are secured and stored in a sturdy building. Clean or remove all residual grease and food from grills and store all pet food inside. Consider installing an electric fence around chicken coops or apiaries to protect your flock and hives.

By taking some time to remove and/or secure food sources that might attract bears you’re helping keep bears away from people, homes and neighborhoods, and that helps keep bears healthy, wild, and safe. Do your part and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

For more information on how to live responsibly with black bears, please visit DEC's webpage and BearWise.org.

DEC Announces Confirmed Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at Reynolds Game Farm 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus affecting the Reynolds Game Farm pheasant population.

DEC began investigating suspicious deaths at the Game Farm, located near Ithaca in Tompkins County, on March 20 and initial test results indicated a possible outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza (AI) virus. On March 21, the farm was put under quarantine following positive test results from the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. A full 120-day quarantine period for the farm is required. This week, at least 500 of DEC's breeder flock of 6,600 pheasants died from HPAI.

DEC is working closely with animal health experts at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory and following standard protocol for an outbreak of HPAI.

Cooperatively managed by DEC, AGM and USDA, the remaining breeder flock of pheasants on the property is being depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease in accordance with standard HPAI response protocols. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, AGM and USDA are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flock. Additional information on the USDA response plan can be found at USDA APHIS | Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. HPAI cases in humans are rare, and symptoms are typically mild. The risk of a person becoming infected is low.

DEC will continue to work with partners at AGM and USDA in a swift and thorough response to the outbreak.

More information on HPAI may be found at:

CDC Avian Influenza

Avian influenza | Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

USDA Avian Influenza Updates 2022

USGS HPAI Distribution 2021/2022

DEC Hosts 15th Annual National Archery in Schools Tournament

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently hosted the 15th annual state archery tournament for New York school students at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Approximately 35 schools from across the state participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) state 2023 tournament.

"The National Archery in the Schools Program introduces young people to the sport of archery and teaches them that patience, focus, and practice can lead to impressive results,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The NASP state tournament provides an excellent opportunity for New York student archers to demonstrate the results of their practice, dedication, and hard work over the past year.”

A total of 635 students competed for their schools in one of three divisions: high school (grades 9-12); middle school (grades 6-8); and elementary school (grades 4-5). Nicholas Scalise from St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County had the top overall score and placed first among male archers in the High School Division with a score of 288 out of 300 possible points. Abigail Murray from St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County was the top overall female archer, earning first place in the High School Division with a score of 284. Both winners received a trophy and a New York Champion Genesis bow and bow case. Awards were also given in each of the three divisions for first through tenth places.

St. Joseph by the Sea in Richmond County was the first-place team in the High School Division for the ninth year in a row. Arkport Central School in Steuben County repeated as the first-place team in the Middle School Division. The first-place team in the Elementary School Division was Avoca Central School, also in Steuben County. For the full list of tournament results, visit the tournament website.

NASP® is hosting the U.S. Eastern National Tournament in Louisville, KY, from May 11 through 13. The first-place teams in each division and the top 10 individual girls and boys from each division (elementary, middle, high) are eligible to register for the Eastern National tournament.

For more information on how schools can become involved in NASP in New York, visit DEC's website. For photos of this year's tournament participants, visit DEC's Flikr page.

Photo: Nicholas Scalise and Abigail Murray win first place in high school
boys and girls divisions