This post could turn into a Private land vs Public land post in a hurry - that would be a shame. I know some great underhunted Stateland - I'm sure I'm not the only one.


Look - the bottom line is that the deer populations are DOWN statewide - as evidenced by lower deer takes (even with "too many permits") - the last two years. In some places TOO much.

DEC has taken some steps to fix the problems - but don't plan on seeing 20 - 30 deer run past your stand on opening day any year soon! Some of you guys are missing the obvious point. Deer HUNTER populations are declining - and faster than you think - thats OUR fault. DEC is forced to try to manage the deer with less hunters - thus MORE tags. Because not everyone can use 3 deer - DEC must manage the deer at a lower population.

Hard hunted lands show the first signsof Deer population decreases -our private lands is a good example - I'd say we have about 1/2 the deer population as 5 years ago. Not that this is all bad!30-40+ deer per square mile was more than most NY habitat can sustain without consequences.I can see the difference already after acouple years incresased harvests.

FH