Hunters reported taking more deer this year, DEC says
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Deer takes in both the Northern and Southern zones are up considerably this fall, the state Department of Environmental Conservation says.
Through Dec. 3, hunters in the Northern Zone have taken 11,349 deer compared to 9,417 in 2016, an 18 percent increase. Likewise, Southern Zone hunters have bagged 69,550 deer versus 61,184 last year, up 14 percent.
In Saratoga County, the divid- ing line between the Northern and Southern zones roughly parallels Route 29.
“While numbers and reports are still being calculated, early indications show the deer harvest in New York is up and hunters are having greater success than last year,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a statement. “Even though it is too early to say if this reflects an increase in hunter compliance with mandatory reporting rules, an increase in harvest, or both, it is clear that our efforts to foster harvest reporting through our ‘ Take It, Tag It, Report It’ campaign are working.”
Afinal tally of the seasons’ deer and bear harvests will be compiled and released early in 2018.
In the Southern Zone, this year’s bear take is up, also, as hunters have reported taking 814 bears so far compared to 775 through the same period last year.
However, the bear take is down in the Northern Zone, with 291 reported this fall versus 450 a year ago.
DEC has also observed a slight increase in reporting via the web and wildlife app in 2017 compared to 2016.
The statewide deer population numbers about 900,000 animals.
At present, populations are above the target levels in much of Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the lake plains of Western NewYork. Seggos has encouraged hunters in these areas to “take an antlerless deer or two and let young bucks go to watch them grow.”
The Northern Zone regular firearms season ended Dec. 3. However, the late bow and muzzleloading season for deer runs through Sunday in portions of the Northern Zone.
The Southern Zone regular firearms season ends Sunday.
The late bow and muzzleload- ing season for deer and bear in the Southern Zone runs from Dec. 11-19.
Also, deer hunting opportunities continue in Westchester County until Dec. 31, in Suffolk County until Jan. 31, and in the special Deer Management Focus Area in central Tompkins County from Jan. 13 to 31.
DEC encourages all hunters to follow several safety tips. They are:
• Assume every gun is loaded. • Control the muzzle. Point your gun in a safe direction.
• Keep your finger off the trig-