NYS DEC Management Proposal *UPDATED*

[Troutman10]

Hopefully this will clarify some issues that people have. Below is what I received from the DEC by email:


NY Big Game,

In reviewing comments already submitted for our draft deer management plan, it is apparent that a couple strategies of the plan need greater clarification. We have posted the following notes at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html to explain that the plan: (1) does not propose a 1-buck per hunter rule, and (2) does not propose an early muzzleloader season across the board for the Southern Zone.

1) 1-Buck Rule? - It's not in the plan.
Strategy 1.3.2 proposes to initiate a process to discontinue either-sex and antlerless-only bow and muzzleloader tags for antlerless harvest and transition to a system based exclusively on Deer Management Permits (DMPs) in all areas of the state. Some hunters have apparently misinterpreted this strategy as though DEC intends to institute a 1-buck per hunter rule. However, this is not the case. The proposal is strictly based on the need for a more sensitive antlerless harvest system, and Appendix 5.6 in the deer plan describes this need and purpose. At this point, the draft plan presents a concept for improved antlerless management. The potential tag system is not fully described, but bow and muzzleloader hunters would still be able to harvest one antlered deer during the regular season and one during either of the special seasons.

2) Early Muzzleloader Season in the Southern Zone? - It's proposed for very limited circumstances in specific areas only.
Strategy 2.2.6 proposes a possible early muzzleloader season under very limited circumstances. Some hunters have apparently misinterpreted this strategy as though an early muzzleloader season is being proposed for most or all of the Southern Zone. However, this is not the case. The strategy describes an approach to progressively increase harvest pressure on antlerless deer in areas where deer populations are above desired levels. This would be considered where DMPs are available to all hunters and additional steps are necessary to reduce the local deer population. A short, early muzzleloader season for antlerless deer is proposed as the third step of a three-step process. Based on current deer population trends, it is likely that step 1 (use of Bonus DMPs; see www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html for an explanation of Bonus DMPs) might be appropriate for 8-12 Wildlife Management Units, mostly located in northern Regions 8 and 9. If use of Bonus Permits is sufficient, then we would not need to progress on to step 2 (make part of the bow and late muzzleloading season antlerless-only) or step 3 (a short early-muzzleloader season for antlerless deer).

The draft deer plan is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html. I encourage you all to carefully read the plan, form your own opinions and give us feedback.

Please remember that July 28 is the deadline for submitting comments on the draft deer management plan. Comments may be submitted in writing to DEC Deer Management Plan, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by email to deerplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us using “Deer plan” in the subject line. Please do reply to NY Big Game to submit your comments.

Jeremy Hurst
Big Game Biologist

Note: To change your email address with NY Big Game, get a password reminder, or unsubscribe please visit http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame

You may also catch the latest updates on New York's fish and wildlife by subscribing to Field Notes, another free online e-mail list provided by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. To learn more and subscribe, see www.dec.ny.gov/about/63801.html

[BuckAlley]

I recieved the same updated info. I'm wondering if the DEC just recieved enough negative comments about a 1 buck tag, that they decided to change that possibility. It was definitly written as a possible option, and looked to be the case. After all the proposal leaves you hanging on exactly what the DEC is planning to do, so all conclusions would have to be considered. The 1 buck tag, would've likely created a lawsuit from lifetime license holders that also opted for the bowhunter or muzzleloader privilege tag!
On this new update. Can anyone explain to me what is the difference in recieving a anterless tag for bow/muzzleloader or recieving a doe permit? Now it appears DEC is saying you will recieve a buck tag for bow/muzzleloader privilege, and a buck tag for regular seasons. So you get 2 bucks tags, and only get a doe permit if successful! I imagine they'll up the permit quotas. If not you may not recieve a doe permit at all. How is that pushing to harvest more doe, and let younger bucks walk!!!
It's my personal opinion this whole push to remove the either sex and antlerless tags from bow/muzzleoader privilege is to FORCE hunters to opt for the $10 doe permit. Not to better control the doe harvest. After all if DEC moves in that direction hunters would be forced to pay the extra $10 for a doe tag. Seems like a scam job to me. Just another way for the DEC to get more $ out of us!!!

[Troutman10]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the proposal said something about removing the $10 fee for doe permits b/c people have been opting out and getting rid of the $10 fee will help the DEC control does.

[bow27]

"Can anyone explain to me what is the difference in recieving a anterless tag for bow/muzzleloader or recieving a doe permit?" Your not serious ! If you don't know that yoiu shouldn't be getting into deer management discussions.

I never thought they were doing a 1 buck per season tag. You had to realy read into and assume things to get that out of the plan.

[BuckAlley]

Originally Posted by bow27

"Can anyone explain to me what is the difference in recieving a anterless tag for bow/muzzleloader or recieving a doe permit?" Your not serious ! If you don't know that yoiu shouldn't be getting into deer management discussions.

I never thought they were doing a 1 buck per season tag. You had to realy read into and assume things to get that out of the plan.

YEAH, I AM SERIOUS! Can you tell me what the difference is? Both are used to harvest a doe. Both you purchase for that reason, and that reason alone. Both you have to report once filled to the DEC on their harvest report line. If DEC takes away the antlerless tags, and issues doe permits instead to use for bow/muzzleloader what is the difference. The tag is used for the same purpose, right. Get my point!!!!!!!!! Never mind I'll tell you, removing the 2 tags in favor of the doe permit only system will limit you to hunting for doe in that permit specific area only, period. So if I want to bowhunt in other parts of the state, and fill a doe tag, I can't. Noone could. But I pay for the bowhunting privilege, and I DO hunt different parts of the state. Under this system it removes the doe option every place I bowhunt, to 1. Thats the crappy difference.

My source of info on the 1 buck tag wasn't just from the proposal, it was also from other hunting organizations that were involved with the DEC on it. I'd wrote that in the 1st posting on the proposal. With the proposal you have to question all possibilities. Its not defined as a definite solution. However it does read to do away with the either sex, and antlerless tags for bow/muzzleloader. What tag did that leave? Obviously I wasn't the only one in NYS that questioned it, as the DEC put out the 2nd bit if information. If read it, it does show it as a option to hunters, and lists it as a percentage of: favor vs oppose on the chart of options from the 2009 meetings.
I just think the whole thing is too open, and gives the DEC alot of power to make many different options for us hunters, and leaves us hanging as to exactly what they plan to do, and will do over the next 5 yrs.. Its our woods, our game, and our hunting their playing with.

[TRACKER]

Quote ;I just think the whole thing is too open, and gives the DEC alot of power to make many different options for us hunters, and leaves us hanging as to exactly what they plan to do, and will do over the next 5 yrs.. Its our woods, our game, and our hunting their playing with.

I,d say they do as they wish when they wish to .
DEC. sells a LIFETIME Big game tag , Lifetime bow tag , Lifetime muzzloader tag ,
By tag I mean License witch comes with a tag .
Or is that ues to ????
I think its BS. to sell us a LIFETIME license that includes a tag them just pull the tag or make us choose witch we want after we shelled out all the cash .