The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Change tactics for the end of deer season
The hills that were recently carpeted with freshly fallen leaves and bathed in golden sunshine are now covered with snow and stand in stark contrast to the barren trees and the dark wintry sky. The deer hunting season which seemed to open only a few short weeks ago is now drawing to a close. The Northern Zone season closed at sundown last Sunday, December 6 and the Southern Zone season closes this weekend on December 13.
What seemed a short six weeks ago cloaked in optimism is now history.
With most hunters disappointed and wondering where all the deer were. In most areas of the northern zone there were a lot of deer as evidenced by sign, trail camera’s photos, and sightings at time, but of course that doesn’t necessarily translate into large harvest numbers. In both northern and southern zones the common refrain was that people were not seeing many deer.
Many times with smaller numbers of hunters or the deer not moving very much it is easy to get discouraged at not seeing deer and dismiss the pros
pects by saying there aren’t many deer around. By contrast last weekend when five of our hunting gang hunted north of Camden we moved or saw two dozen deer. Recently Dick Cooper was hunting near New Hartford and did not see many deer but at dusk he ended up seeing between 40 and 50 as he packed up and headed home a few miles away.
But a common theme among hunters around the area – both north and south — is that they have not seen many deer. There are many opinions on the reason for this.
One factor during the regular firearms season is that there were a lot fewer hunters afield or their tactics were more commonly sitting on watch in tree stands. This lack of hunter activity meant there were not the usual numbers moving deer around. But this is not a new development and doesn’t fully explain the circumstances. I would be interested in hearing other theories or experiences.
For southern zone hunters who have not gotten their deer yet, the last week can be tough but we need to adapt our tactics. Forget about the areas where you sat and saw deer during the end of bow season or the first few days of gun season. Hunting pressure, the end of the rut, and weather changes have created a new ballgame.
Deer will be preoccupied with feeding heavily to replenish weight lost during the rut and to bulk up for the coming winter. Most crops are harvested but those that are still standing or other natural browse will be targeted by deer in the coming week. As the weather gets colder the deer will feed heavily and may even appear in the middle of the day in some secluded or unpressured areas.
However since deer in many areas have been pressured by heavy hunting activity they will be spooky and are more likely to feed at night or during very early morning and just before sundown. If you can hunt these periods of low light you are more likely to see deer.
Secluded areas or places that have not received much pressure are your best bets but that doesn’t guarantee that you will see deer. You may need to still hunt or use small drives to ‘ bump” deer to your hunting party on watch.
Hunt the most remote, inaccessible, or thickest places you can find. Even if you have “sanctuaries” that you have left undisturbed to keep the deer feeling safe, now is the time to hunt them. After all the deer have almost a year to adjust and forget the intrusion into their safe haven.
Good luck to all. Even though there may be less deer around and they are harder to hunt, there are still some nice bucks out there. Plus statistics show that a surprising percentage of trophy bucks are taken on the last weekend.
Put things in perspective. Every year about 80% of the hunters do not get a deer. Sure we are serious about having success but the important thing is getting out and having adventure. As we did last Sunday after a long day of hunting, we gathered at John Costello’s camp and toasted that we were still able to get out, to physically hunt and enjoy the woods, and share our friendship for another year. SHORT CASTS Draft Deer Management Plan
The DEC recently released its Draft Deer Management Plan which is comprehensive review of all facets of deer management in New York State and its plans and recommendations. You can see the entire document of approximately 75 pages by looking online at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/deer-plandraft1120.pdf.
Comments will be accepted through Monday, December 28. You can send them by email to: wildlife@ dec. ny. gov. Use “Deer Plan” in the subject line. You can also send comments by mail to NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233- 4754.
Some of these strategies are already occurring. The deer population is inf luence by cultural and ecological changes such as the decline in hunters, changes in land use, and human development. The document includes the history of management, impact on other species and the environment, and deals with the issues of diseases. They explore the issue of securing additional areas to hunt, allowing incentives to allow public hunting on private land, increasing the authority of the DEC to regulate management. One of the issues is the use of crossbow which the DEC recommends being governed by rules for regular bowhunting and allowing their use during all times that bows are legal.
Trophy Deer Although many hunters were disappointed or frustrated at the 2020 deer season, a lot of people were successful in getting a deer, including some nice ones. Two of the local hunters
who got trophy bucks were John Dick and Patrick Cronn.
John is a former local resident who returns every year to hunt with his former partners. Early in the bow season he had hunted a little over two hours when a trophy ten point buck approached his stand. John had been texting Dick Cooper but recovered in time to make a great shot.
Patrick Cronn was hunting with the family on opening day and early in the morning got his opportunity as a large racked 10 point buck approached. Patrick bagged the big buck to keep up with his brother, Ken, who had earlier taken a big one with a bow.
Captions: John Dick shows his trophy buck
taken early in the bow season.
Caption: Patrick Cronn displays the 10 point trophy taken locally on opening day
Tragedy on Salmon River
The recent tragedy on the Salmon River where a steelhead fisherman died a week ago should be a warning to all. The current in the Salmon River is strong and swift and even in relatively shallow areas it can sweep you off your feet. The rocks are notoriously slippery and wearing corkers are advised. This unfortunate person was swept off his feet while trying to cross the river and drowned near Ellis Cove downstream from Altmar. Wear a PFD for protection. Matt White al
ways advised, if you are wading in over your ankles, you are probably wading where the fish are anyway.
Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY
The Independent Fur Harvesters of Central NY have put their monthly meetings on hold until concerns over safety issues from the COVID- 19 are resolved. The fur sale scheduled for January 2021 has been cancelled. The Bob Evans Memorial Predator Hunt will be held January 8 – 9, 2021. For more information contact Ed Wright at 315427- 7136.