Hunting and Trapping Newsletter

Be On The Lookout - DEC Seeking Citizen Scientists to Report Their Wild Turkey Observations This Summer

While you are out exploring New York State this summer, be sure to keep an eye out for wild turkeys and report your observations to DEC! 

Since 1996, DEC has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to track wild turkey productivity (the proportion of young of the year to adult hens) statewide. Weather, habitat conditions, and predators during breeding and brood-rearing seasons can significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival. This index allows DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict future turkey populations and harvest opportunities. Reproductive success (as measured by this survey) remains significantly lower than it was in the early 2000s. The estimated number of poults/hen in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022 were four of the six lowest productivity estimates since the survey began in 1996. Results of last year’s survey.

How to participate:

• Keep an eye out for wild turkeys as you’re out and about.
• When you observe a flock, either jot down the number of adult females, adult males, and poults (young of the year) that you see. 
• When you’re at a computer or on your phone, please enter your observation online
• If you happen to see what you believe to be the same flock later in the month, please do not double report the group. 
• Observing and counting wildlife can be challenging. In order to not bias the results, we ask that you only report flocks when you’re confident you observed the entire group.  Partial flock observations can bias the poult per hen estimates. Using binoculars can greatly improve the odds you’re able to observe an entire flock.

Thank you for your participation. 

Multi-Year Research Study to Improve Bald and Golden Eagle Conservation Efforts

DEC is seeking hunters to participate in a multi-year study of non-lead ammunition impacts on the state’s eagle conservation efforts. DEC is partnering with the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University, U.S. Geological Survey, and Conservation Science Global to determine if increasing the use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting can help reduce bald and golden eagle deaths.

Eagles can ingest lead bullet fragments when scavenging the remains left behind after a hunter field dresses a deer. Lead poisoning can harm eagles and may be fatal. While the bald eagle population is doing well in New York, research has shown that lead-related mortality has slowed population growth. The golden eagle population in the eastern U.S. is relatively stable, although vulnerable to a potential population decline due to lead poisoning. Read more about the effects of lead in DEC’s report, “Minimizing Risks to Wildlife and People from Lead Hunting Ammunition (PDF).” on DEC’s website

To help recruit hunters to participate in the study, DEC’s research partners will be offering rebates of up to $60 for the purchase of certified non-lead ammunition and participation in pre- and post-hunt surveys. Participation in the rebate program is voluntary and will be available to hunters issued a Deer Management Permit in the following Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): 3H, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4W, and 6G. The study will be implemented for the first time during the 2023-24 hunting season. DEC expects to continue offering rebates during the 2024 and 2025 hunting seasons.

2023 Deer Management Permit Availability

Hunters who harvest antlerless deer play a critical role in helping keep New York’s deer population and wildlife habitat healthy. Harvesting antlerless deer helps keep deer populations below habitat carrying capacity which reduces competition for resources for deer and other species of wildlife. The primary tool used by DEC to facilitate the harvest of antlerless deer is the Deer Management Permit or DMP. DMPs provide hunters additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer in particular wildlife management units (WMU) to meet desired deer population objectives.

Ahead of each deer season, DEC biologists evaluate deer population and habitat data to determine the number of DMPs that will be available to hunters in each WMU. Between August 1^st and October 1^st, hunters may apply for two DMPs within the same or two different WMUs. The probability of selection is based on the number of DMPs available and the number of hunters expected to apply in a particular WMU, but the chances of selection remain the same throughout the entire application period.

Hunters may also transfer or receive up to 2 DMPs from other hunters and any leftover DMPs after the initial application period become available again to hunters through license issuing agents beginning November 1^st. In WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J and 8C hunters can receive an unlimited number of replacement Bonus DMPs after providing documentation that a DMP was filled. DEC is not authorized to issue DMPs in several WMUs spanning the Adirondacks and Tug Hill Plateau.

For 2023, DEC has increased the availability of DMPs across the majority of the state, largely in response to continued mild winters and the recovery of deer populations affected by outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 2021. Do your part to help steward New York’s deer herd by applying for DMPs and harvesting at least one antlerless deer this coming season.