Author Topic: DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting  (Read 416 times)

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Offline Chenango

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DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting
« on: September 02, 2021, 03:46:23 AM »
For Release: Wednesday, September 1, 2021

DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting
New State Regulations Create Special Antlerless Deer Season, Extend Hunting Hours, Improve Hunter Safety
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that DEC has adopted new rules for deer and bear hunting in New York. Rule changes include extending hunting hours and dress code requirements when afield to improve hunter safety.

"New York has a long and proud tradition of deer and bear hunting and with these new rules, DEC is building on that tradition by expanding opportunities for hunters, increasing antlerless harvest where needed, and improving hunter safety," Commissioner Seggos said. "I am confident that the rule changes announced today will provide hunters with a better all-around experience while ensuring their safety. In addition, these actions bring New York in line with the common practices of states and provinces across North America."

DEC announced the proposed changes in June 2021, after adopting the updated New York State Deer Management Plan. After careful review of the public comments received on the proposed changes, DEC adopted the rules as proposed. A summary of the public comments received and DEC's response is available on the DEC website and in the latest issue of the New York State Register (leaves DEC's website).

The adopted changes:

Establish a nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September (Sept. 11 - 19, 2021) using firearms in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, and using bowhunting equipment in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C. Management objectives in these units are either to decrease the deer population or maintain a stable population, and increased antlerless harvest is needed to achieve these objectives. Objectives are based on public input and assessments of deer impacts to forests. Hunters may only use Deer Management Permits (DMPs) and Deer Management Assistance Permit (DMAP) tags in this season;
Restore antlerless harvest during the early muzzleloader season in Northern Zone WMUs 6A, 6F, and 6J. The management objective for these units is to maintain a stable population and the deer population in these units has grown aided by a series of mild winters and prior restrictions on antlerless harvest;
Extend the hunting hours for deer and bear to include the full period of ambient light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. All other states allow deer hunting beginning one-half hour before sunrise or earlier, or specify daylight hours, and 46 of 50 states allow deer hunting until some period (mostly one-half hour) after sunset. This change conforms to the national standard for big game hunting;
Require anyone hunting big game with a firearm, or accompanying someone hunting big game with a firearm, to wear a solid or patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest, or jacket. Most two-party hunting-related shooting incidents in New York involve a hunter victim who was not wearing fluorescent orange or pink clothing. Similar fluorescent orange requirements exist in most states;
Simplify bear hunting season in the Adirondack region by extending regular season to cover the entire hunting period; and
Remove outdated language related to deer tag use during the September portion of the early bowhunting season.
The full text of the adopted regulations is available at DEC's website.

Offline ironglow

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Re: DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2021, 05:23:29 AM »
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  I am trying to figure out the new regs.  the rules seem to affect the seasons, in units you listed below.

   "Establish a nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September (Sept. 11 - 19, 2021) using firearms in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, and using bowhunting equipment in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C."

   Are they the only units affected...or are they just the ones affected by such firearms restrictions?

   Are there no changes in any way for other WMUs ?
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline JoeG52

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Re: DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2021, 03:41:23 AM »
Note the new fluorescent orange requirement.
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Require anyone hunting big game with a firearm, or accompanying someone hunting big game with a firearm, to wear a solid or patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest, or jacket. Most two-party hunting-related shooting incidents in New York involve a hunter victim who was not wearing fluorescent orange or pink clothing. Similar fluorescent orange requirements exist in most states;
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Offline Chenango

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Re: DEC Adopts New Rules for Deer and Bear Hunting
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2021, 08:52:21 AM »
Are they the only units affected...or are they just the ones affected by such firearms restrictions?

   Are there no changes in any way for other WMUs ?

It looks like only those WMU's listed here are affected also the addition of the Southern Zone Holiday Deer Hunt from December 26 - January 1.
Establish a 9-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September (9/11 - 9/19/2021) using firearms in WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, and using bowhunting equipment in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.

Recent Hunting Rules Changes
This is a summary of recent significant changes. Check the annual Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for other changes such as season dates.

2021-2022
12- and 13-year Olds Can Hunt Deer with a Firearm or Crossbow in Some Counties
The NYS Legislature adopted a temporary program through 2023 for young hunters in counties that choose to participate. See Junior Big Game Hunting for a map of the counties that are participating.

Holiday Deer Hunt
DEC extended the late bow and muzzleloader season in the Southern Zone to provide a Holiday Deer Hunt from December 26 - January 1. See Deer Hunting Seasons.

New Deer and Bear Hunting Changes
DEC adopted regulations creating new opportunities and requirements for big game hunters.

Extend daily hunting hours for deer or bear to 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Establish a 9-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September (9/11 - 9/19/2021) using firearms in WMUs 3M, 3R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8J, 8N, 9A, and 9F, and using bowhunting equipment in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C.
Restore antlerless harvest during the early muzzleloader season in Northern Zone WMUs 6A, 6F, 6J.
Simplify bear hunting season in the Adirondack region by extending regular season to cover the entire hunting period.
Fluorescent orange/pink required when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.