per the August 2008 issue of Environment DEC
DEC Proposes to Open New Areas to Bear HuntingNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis recently announced proposed changes that will open new areas in the Southern Zone to black bear hunting beginning in fall 2008. DEC is proposing to expand the bear hunting seasons to 13 additional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), which include parts of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida and Otsego counties.
A Proactive Strategy
"The proposal to open new areas to bear hunting in the southern bear range is part of our continuing effort to better manage bear populations and provide excellent hunting opportunities in New York State," Commissioner Grannis said. "Expanding the bear hunting area is a proactive strategy to slow the expansion of black bear range and population, and reduce conflicts between bears and people before those conflicts reach unacceptable levels."
The southern black bear range has expanded significantly since 1995 (change indicated in blue on map) causing more interactions between bears and peopleBlack bears have been thriving in New York, with a current population of approximately 6,000-7,000-a number that has grown significantly in recent years. The majority (4,000-5,000) can be found in the Adirondack region, with the remainder of the population mostly in the Allegany (300-500) and Catskill (1,500-2,000) regions. In recent years, bears have expanded their range considerably, which has led to a growing number of interactions between bears and people, including some serious conflicts where bears have entered homes or cabins.
In the fall and winter of 2007-2008, DEC held a series of public meetings throughout upstate New York to provide an overview of the natural history and current status of black bears, including the recent range expansions, and to seek public input on future bear management efforts. Attendees at these meetings expressed interest in maintaining a healthy bear population and, where bears have a noticeable presence, supported management actions like expanded hunting opportunities to help control bear numbers and problems.
Proposed Changes
The specific changes proposed for the southern bear range would:
Open WMUs 7M, 7R, 7S, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8S, 9G and 9H to black bear hunting for the archery, regular and muzzleloading seasons. This would include parts of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Onondaga and Oneida counties. Season dates for these units will be the same as those in place for adjacent units already open to bear hunting in the Allegany bear range.
Open WMU 4N to black bear hunting for the archery, regular and muzzleloading seasons. This includes parts of Chenango and Otsego counties. The season dates for this unit will be the same as adjacent areas to the east (the firearms season for bear is the same as the firearms season for deer) in the Catskill bear range.
To Review/Comment
See Wildlife Management Units on DEC's website for a map of WMU locations. To see more detailed descriptions of the proposal, see Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources Proposed, Emergency and Recently Adopted Regulations on DEC's website. See "Related Links" below for a link to the proposed rulemaking in the June 25 publication of the New York State Register.
Though DEC already hosted several public meetings in mid-July to discuss the proposed changes, comments are still being accepted until August 9. To send written comments, either e-mail fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (be sure to include "Comments on proposed rulemaking Part 1, Section 31 - Hunting Black Bear" in the subject line), or mail to: Gordon Batcheller, NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
About Bear Hunting
Bear hunting is the only viable and cost-effective tool for managing bear numbers on a regional basis. Providing bear hunting opportunities in the proposed units is intended as a continuation of efforts to manage population growth and range expansion. This is an important first step in an effort to slow or stop growth into areas where the probability of conflict between bears and humans is highest.
Opening new areas to hunting will not eliminate bears or prevent all human/bear interactions. DEC remains committed to continuing educational outreach to increase the public's awareness of bears and inform the public on techniques to avoid conflicts with bears. The recently-produced "Living with New York Black Bears" DVD is available for loan at local libraries or DEC wildlife offices, along with information from recent public meetings. Also, see Black Bear on DEC's website.
