Hunters eagerly anticipate Northern Zone Deer Season opener

The gray light of dawn starts to illuminate the shadows of the northern forests and creatures start to stir. A deer hunter waits at his chosen spot, hoping to spot a deer moving in the early morning light. This will be the scene all across the northern zone as hunters clad in orange jackets or vests will be afield for the northern zone deer season opener. For many it is the anticipation of a yearly drama, much like the feeling we experienced as kids on Christmas morning.

Calendars have been marked for weeks. Hours of scouting resulting in plans have been made and revised. On Saturday thousands of hunters will be afield at daybreak eagerly watching for America’s number one big game animal — the whitetail deer.

The traditional Northern Zone deer season opener is still a magic moment even though it has lost some of the significance since the advent of the popular bow hunting and muzzleloading seasons. It is still a big event for those who enjoy hunting the big woods and carrying on tradition.

For those who hunt the northern zone there is a special feeling that can’t be described or easily put into words. Of course there is the eagerness and hope that we will be successful in bagging a deer, but it is the special feeling of being in the woods, the challenge of trying to outwit one of nature’s noblest animals, and a feeling that we have several weeks of fun and adventure ahead of us.

Of course deer hunters hope that this Saturday’s opener will be the dawn of a better season for all, especially in the northern zone. Last year was a disappointing one in terms of hunter success, especially in central and northern New York. There have been lots of theories and ideas but the truth is probably that it was a “perfect storm” of factors combining to make for poor hunting conditions.

Most people blamed the warm weather last year which meant that deer were not moving much during daylight hours. Of course deer are crespus-cular (move mainly at periods of low light) so that was not the major factor in the north country. Probably a major factor that doesn’t receive enough attention is the lack of hunter movement. An aging population, different hunting styles, and more warm weather meant less hunters moving through the woods and causing the deer to move.

Opening day in the northern zone is more of a time of excitement and anticipation than it is a time of increased success. Unlike the southern zone where over 40% of the bucks taken are shot on opening day, success throughout the northern zone is evenly spaced throughout the season. Thus the odds this weekend are no better, but the excitement is greater. Nevertheless there never will be more deer in the woods than there will be this weekend.

Despite the fact that northern woods have less deer per square mile, bigger territory, and lower success rate it is a special time for many of us. The challenge of hunting these wily animals, the excitement, and the chance for a big buck keeps many hunters going. The tradition of deer camps or testing your skill and woodsmanship in the big woods is a magnet for many people regardless of success ratio.

These are big woods and deer will use their many keen senses to avoid hunters.

Just because you don’t see deer or fresh sign does not mean that there are no deer around. A deer will have a range of one square mile or more and they may be in the high country now. Deer may have also changed their habits or areas due to hunter activity.

You feel like you are hunting because you typically have lots of area to try your favorite tactics. If the deer are not in the location you anticipate you often have the room and ability to move elsewhere. You are not hemmed into a small patch, hoping that deer pass through, as in many areas of the southern zone. A part of the appeal of northern zone hunting is the ability to look into a patch of woods and not see out the other side!

Sitting on watch may be more productive in certain locations this weekend because there will be more hunters than normal in some areas and they may move deer around.

Normally early morning or just before sunset are the periods when deer are on the move.

Keep in mind that most big bucks are nocturnal by nature.

Since there are fewer hunters these days and consequently smaller groups of hunters, many opt for having some hunters sitting at likely spots while one or two others still hunt towards them. The key is to move slowly and have the watchers at likely escape routes or funnels. Consider wind direction when placing watchers or planning the route of the hunters on the move. When moved, deer will normally quickly cover about 200 yards then veer left or right and often circle back behind the hunter.

Of course safety should be a concern in any method we use. Be sure of your target and beyond. Always treat every gun as if it is loaded, and be certain to keep it under control. Unload your gun while climbing tree stands, stone walls, etc. Wear orange jacket, vest, or hat since it is now the law. Remember that blaze orange is most visible, especially in periods of low light.

Good luck to everyone. Remember that any buck is a trophy, regardless of size.

Even if you don’t have any action on opening weekend keep in mind that it is a long season for a reason. Enjoy the experience because the season will be over before you know it.

SHORT CASTS

Southern Zone Holiday Hunt

Earlier this year the DEC added to the southern zone post season hunting opportunity by opening the week between Christmas and New Years.

As announced earlier the areas of southern zone will be open to the late bow and muzzleloader hunters who still have valid tags December 26 to January

1. This is designed to provide new opportunity for New York hunters and visiting hunters when family and friends are gathered for the holidays and students are home on “school break,” During an earlier comment period over 3,000 comments were received on the proposal.

However, The DEC now proposes regulations allowing counties to opt out of this holiday hunt at some point in the future. Public comments are accepted through November

14. Some county leaders had concerns about a holiday hunt interfering with snowmobile opportunities in their counties.

Snowmobiling and small game hunting have safely co-existed for decades so the DEC encourages all to share your views on the propose regulation that would let counties option opt out of a holiday hunt.

The proposed regulation is designed to address some come concerns that landowners might choose to prevent snowmobile access to the trail network that crosses private land during hunting season, limiting opportunity during the last 10 days of December. Historically snow cover is not deep enough to support snowmobiling at this time period.

Seneca Lake Lamprey Treatment

This week the DEC began combatting parasitic sea lamprey in Catherine Creek, a major tributary to Cayuga Lake. The DEC hopes to effectively control lampreys and reduce the mortality for the fish that they prey on — especially lake trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. There is reason to believe that this predation is a major reason for the decline of trout and salmon fishing in Cayuga Lake.

DEC was planning on treating the waters inhabited by juvenile lampreys in Catherine Creek from Montour Falls to the mouth at Seneca Lake. Planned application is October 13, but is weather dependent. The lampricide is selective and kills immature lampreys in the larvae stage but causes minor damage to other species. There will be posted signs for a few days.

Reminder SZ Turkey Open

Remember that the southern zone turkey season opened earlier last weekend and runs until October 29. Daily limit is one bird of either sex. The northern zone season closed last week. Best chances come from from busting up a flock and calling the young birds back together in range of your hiding place.