NY's Southern Tier
 

Does anyone on this board actually hunt in the Southern Tier of NY, like Binghamton, Owego, Elmira area? It seems like most of the posts are down-state or more to the North. It also seems like a lot of you guys are crying about the Deer herd! Where I hunt, if you didn't get a Deer during season, you weren't hunting! That's a buck and at least one doe during gun! AND a buck with the bow also! I live in Broome County, which isn't even on the map as far as big bucks are concerned. But like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it! There are so many Deer down here, the farmer who owns the property I hunt on(200 acres) had 15 D-MAP permits filled before bow season even opened. And everyone I know hunting the property at least got a shot at a buck during regular firearms season. We're not talking Boone and Crockett, but around here any legal buck will do once the real sportsmen hit the woods on the first Monday after November 15th! Yeah, I do prefer Bow-hunting over gun because it takes some level of skill and understanding. Plus you don't have to contend with as many idiots. Even so, your Deer will come if you have the patients to sit still and wait. Gun or Bow, it's all great just being out there. Especially in the Southern Tier of New York!

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Off course the hunting is good ! You are on 200 private acres in Southern NY. Not everybody has that avaiable to them.

(I am jelous!!)

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I am hunting on 200 acres, that if you or anyone else asks, can get pemission to hunt on. I hunt four different areas, all of which have one thing in common.....ask the landowners, and you're in! These guys(farmers) want all the Deer gone. I'm doing my best!

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Well, you should keep this thing for yourself. I am trying hard to locate private land in NYS for the 2004 season. If you feel like sharing....

[email protected]

Thanks

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

J-Bow, I agree. I have hunted the Hornell area for the past 2 years and can't wait to get back there in 2004. In the past 2 years we have killed 4 bucks and a doe. This year I took a nice 8pt and a doe. I saw 80 to 90 deer in 8 days of hunting. Deer are every where. Yes, the farmers want them controlled with landowner permits and DMP tags. It's a great area of the country to hunt and there are some real slammer bucks roaming around. I don't mind driving the 450 miles from Vermont to enjoy some of the best hunting around.

. . . Rob

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Well I guess I'm doing something wrong then. I hunt 7f (cayuga county/Auburn area) This was the absolute worse hunting season ever for me. First time I got skunked during bow. And top it off I only got 1 doe during gun. Hunted my arse off for over 2 months. I did pass on 7 different bucks (small) during bow, but didn't end up taking one. I would say my deer sightings were about 50% less than previous year. That includes spotlighting fields at night. I guess it's different in different areas of the state, but around here.............ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. It downright sucked.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Yo NYB,
We fish Owasco lake all summer and the tribs all Fall and Spring. I run up Rt 38 all year long, to Auburn and above to Ontario. Man, are you sure that your getting into the woods? It's an obstacle course trying NOT to hit them with a vehicle! Two years ago, I tagged out with the bow real early. I spent the next two weeks fishing the inlet, Dutch Hollow and Sterling Creek. I saw more 110 -140 class bucks from the road than even I could believe. I don't know exactly where you're at, but I've been knocking on doors in that area lately for permission. The whole Finger Lakes Area is ultra-rich in what it takes to grow Deer, and big ones at that. We all have bad years and it sounds like that's the case with you this past season. Don't give up because you are in a superb area.

Take Care,
J-bow

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

You guys are all forgetting a few simple things....

1. Those counties are shotgun only...
2. Not as heavily hunted, because alot of downstaters (myself included) do not want to travel that far to hunt.
3. The western parts of the state are more apt and supportive of deer herds. Better soils, more farms, more open space, not as densely populated, not hunted as hard etc.. etc...

Just do everyone a favor....just because the farmer wants you to kill 20 deer because he has 20 permits, does not mean you have to!!!! Think of your hunting future as well as the next guys.

I am seeing it firsthand now in Jersey. Guys are telling me stories how they used to shoot 15,20,25 deer a year out of the area of Woods I hunt. Now there say there lucky to see 5 or 6 a season, let alone take a deer.

just my opinion.

Mike

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Has been that way in years past J-Bow. This year was just bizzare. I think due to last years winter for part of it. I think the biggest reason and listen up DEC is the zillion tags handed out with the new DMP garbage. Nuissance tags and being able to sign over your tag to your brother and then to his uncle to his gilfreinds neighbors brother etc.... is a joke. How many "nuissance" tags are really for the pupose intended? I'd have to take an educated guess at about 3.5 % the rest are handed around the community to shoot as many deer as possible. Dont' get me wrong I love the finger lakes and there are (used to be) some fine deer around. I'm hoping I'm completely wrong and it was just a fluke year for my land, but I haven't seen a lot of deer around all season during scouting.
btw you can find me on Owasco Lake about 7 out of 7 days of the week in the summertime.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Is that a beautiful little lake, or what? For its size, I prefer it over any other Finger Lake. And the size of the Browns she gives up!? AWESOME!
And yes, I agree with you on the D-MAP and the doe permits. Call the DEC and ask them exactly how many permits were issued this year state-wide. They'll give you a line of BS. Do you know anyone in Region 7 or 8 who didn't get two permits? Then they had the "First come, first served" permits. I didn't bother with them, but everyone I talked to walked away with another two permits, usually for a DMU that they had no intention of hunting.
Just the NY State DEC, doing what they do best.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I live In Vestal, saw tons of deer this season too.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, quite now. You don't want every one from Cayuga over there do you?

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I think last year there was some absurd number of deer you could legally take like 7 or 8?? That's simply insane. Please DEC retract some of this BS. I think I also have a bit of a yote problem here too. I shot 13 during deer season. I want to hunt them off season but have no idea how. Although I guess I did pretty well just sitting on stand.

and yes ..... shhhhhhhhhhhhhh Charlie, myself, and you can thin them out nicely without everyone knowing lol. The browns are truly amazing in that lake. How bout the surge of walleyes at the north end..... wow!!!I'll tell you anothe thing for a lake that's known for being a "trout" lake........... Those smallmouths arent shy about getting big and plentiful.. Now burn this message as soon as you read it!!;)

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Not to take anything away from Cayuga or Seneca, because they actually do harbor fish of the same size as Owasco. Maybe not the Walleyes, but the rest are all there in size. It's just easier to fish Owasco. Of course, it did get a little more expensive, especially if you launch at South Shore Marina. That dude must have a mighty hefty mortgage payment! You pay to launch and then he bangs you for more money to park in his lot. I don't even think he ownes all the property that he's parking vehicles on. I'm expecting a "For Sale" sign to pop up there anytime now! I wonder if we're going to have to pay to walk across his property to ice fish this year. He'll probably be up there at first ice with a money belt and day passes!
Hey, Charlie P, I live up in the Town of Maine and other than maybe Montana or Iowa, I'd never move. We really are blessed in this area. I'm sure you'll agree.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

i don't know geographically where you are from jamestown ny, but i do most of my shopping there because it's about 30 minutes from my house. it seems as soon as you cross the border into ny, there's deer EVERYWHERE!! it doesn't matter what time of the day it is either, it can be 7 am or 1 pm.....deer deer and more deer. i'm actually thinking of getting a ny liscence next year. i have noticed that 90% of the land up there is posted. i'de like to find somebody to show me around the area up there..... i would most certainly return the favor.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

J-Bow, were do you hang out?

You ever Ice fish the river?

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Jbow I agree with you about South Shore. The guy is an arse. Launch at the North end. It's a lot better for launching and it's only $3.00. Besides that, that's where all the dang fish are!!! I grew up on the lake and fished it all my life.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

BoyScout,
You're way West of me! I'm just above Binghamton. But you're just below two of the best counties in NY for Deer hunting! Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties have a pretty good rep as far as numbers of bucks killed every year. Actuall, the whole NY/PA border from Tioga County(NY) West is supposed to be good. A lot of land up here is posted. All the land I hunt is posted, but a knock on the door got me in all these places. Just because someone says no doesn't mean they all will. Keep trying. Farmers don't like Deer, but Deer love farmers. That's where to start and I'm sure there's plenty of active farms out that way. Good luck!

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

CharlieP,
I hang out mostly at work anymore. Other than that, in the woods and on Rainbow/Steelhead streams. I've never ice fished the Susquehanna because I really don't feel comfortable with moving water under the ice I stand on. I know guys kill 'em there, but I stick to still water like Owasco, Whitney Pt, Eaton Brook Res., Guilford Lake and some small private ponds. Mostly Crappie and Perch. I put a lot more effort into Steelies. I'm heading out tomorrow to hit a few Finger Lakes tribs. I hunt around my house and then four properties just over in Tioga County. A buddy lives over in Pine City, just SouthWest of Elmira and we hunt his property about once a season. The rest of my hang out time is with the wife and my two boys. Can't forget playtime on the house also!

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Hey J-Bow just because your areas are loaded with deer, doesn't necessarily mean every DMU is the same. Several hunters saying they had a bad season should be telling you something more then hunters not spending a good amount of time in the woods. I had a bad season, I didn't see anywhere's near the deer this year in my hunting areas I have in the past. I took 27 days off from work, and hunted everyone plus every wknd. My season started 9/27 with early Northern Tier archery, through all southern tier seasons ending with late season muzzleloader. Many of my friends, and co-workers also had bad seasons. More then usual. So it would appear some parts of the state are not so populated as one would think. I walked areas I've always seen deer in after a snow, and never cut a single track. This was the strangest hunting season I've ever experienced in 20yrs of hunting!!

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

J-bow i'm a Pa transplant to the southern tier (Endicott) Lived here for three years now. Can't find any land to hunt on just don't know anybody. So I make trips down to Pa during the season. Sure would like to try and get some permission to hunt deer here in Broome or Tioga. Think maybe you can hook me up.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

NYflyer, I believe if you contact the DEC they will get you in contact with farmers that will let you hunt thier land. They have a list I believe.

You hunt bow and gun? Keep in touch.

You remember a few years when those guys took the ride down the river on that slab of Ice? I walked out there that morning and knocked a whole in the ice turned around and left. You couldn't even get your lure to the bottom because the ice jammed above Murphys Island and sent all the current one way. I don't know what those guys were thinking. Two other guys I fish with did the same thing and left.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

BuckAlley,
I know different DMU's have different Deer densities! I simply made a point about an area that I know has a good herd! Or at least it did over the Summer when we were driving through it every weekend. And YES, I know Deer patterns change from Summer to Fall. You're not the only guy that I've heard from about how "Strange" this past season was. I had a good season.....what can I say? I thought the rut was intense, at least in my area. The weather was good for a change. Opening of gun sucked, but that's never bothered me. They were still chasing right up to Thanksgiving, when I finished up. I know they issued too many doe permits this year, but that should affect next years herd, not this years. I don't know why your area was devoid of Deer! If I owned all the property that I hunt on, I'd invite all you guys to hunt it! I've been working on a system that will almost guarantee me six lucky numbers any time soon now! I'll keep ya posted!:D

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

HEY YOU GUYS....WE TRY TO KEEP IT QUIET ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEER IN THE SOUTHERN TIER!;)

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Im in 8h. I saw plenty of deer this year. I saw a good amount of bucks, and had excellent results on the pictures from my cam I had set up. One thing I noticed, was that the rut at least in my area was not as noticeable as in past. Everywhere I went, people said the rut was going to be strong, but I just didnt see much if any of it.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

We fished three Finger Lakes(Western) Tribs yesterday. Deer tracks out the kazoo. Then coming back from Bath to Binghamton, we must have seen 200 Deer along the way, in the fields off Rt17. Quite a few dead ones on the road also.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

J-bow,
My sources tell me there's a good run of rainbows right now in the Owasco Lake Inlet. Drifting egg sacks and killing some good sized lake run bows. I may try to get up there this weekend.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

NYB-
Stay out of my favorite run or I might have to pull my filet knife on ya! (just kidding)
I'm off Christmas week so I'll probably stop off there, Cayuga Inlet and Grout Brook on the way back from Oswego and Jefferson Counties......the Salmon River, Oswego River and any other little trib that looks good.
Plus I have to fit time in to scout two more properties I've gotten permission to hunt next Fall.
Yeah, there is life after Deer Season ends! Maybe we'll see you up around Moravia. Do you ever get up to Ontario for Steelhead or Browns?

J-BOW

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

J-Bow, Im new to this forum and read your from The town of Maine.Just wanted to say I was up there last weekend checking out property in Newark Valley right around the corner from Maine.There must be plenty of Deer up there,I seen tracks everywhere,counted a lot of rubs.Sounds like you do well out there in huntin season. Mike

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Just a few points (about hunting - not fishing??)
I am from the southern tier and hunt in chenango county. We had a good season (i guess) - three nice doe, however we probably should have had more, just couldn't see the deer (they were there, as was evident from all the tracks - I mean there were a ton of tracks all season) but the deer all seem to have been running at night and at places where we weren't. I saw several deer (4-6) up close (actually too close to shoot - couldn't get them in the scope as they were trotting by) and many more. Bow season was a different story, didn't get out much, didn't see much (passed up a nice doe and saw a nice buck and that was about it - still fun). Did not see one buck during gun season, however there were a few nice ones running around (I saw a large track and friend saw a huge deer - probably a nine point and we found a dead 7 pt, 17.5" spread on our land (damn!!!). All this said, it was a successful season and most I talked to had good years, however some did not (that's hunting, isn't it???)

about the DMP and number of deer that can be taken - the changes that the DEC made are beneficial to both the deer herd and hunters. Just because you can take 7 deer doesn't mean you will (have you ever heard of anyone doing that?? Me niether. Whatever you may think about the DEC, they do know what they are doing and there is a reason for the number of permits they issue (the deer herd is TOO large). There have been many year's when our groupo has gotten only one or 2 doe permits and other years when we have had 8 or more. Roll with the punches. Even with the percieved increase of deer being taken with the increased opportunities (increase doe permits, bow/muzzle tags, DMAP, etc.), the simple fact is that the deer take has not increased (actually lower). Less and less hunters means the people that do hunt will have to take more deer to keep the herd in check or eventually mother nature will do it for us and then we will have a hard time seeing deer in the woods.

those who complain about the DMAP program, abviously don't know any farmers. I personally know many farmers (i work with them) and many have serious problems with deer damage. And the permits are not generally abused. One farmer I know gets several every year and may or may not use all of them every year. But lo and behold there are more deer the next year, and the next, and the next.... get my point. They may take 10-15 deer and they still have problems. Also, my uncle (Otsego Co.) lost an entire pumpkin crop to deer (several thounsands of dollar lost!!!) and all he could do is watch as they ate the pumpkins (he did get some nusiance permits but not enough and it was too late). DMAP are necessary and are not given out willy nilly. Each case is reviewed and in most cases the farmers could probably use more.

NYBowhunter - I don't know where exactly u hunt, but my buddy hunts just south of the hamlet of Owasco and they had an excellent year. They got 2 wall hanger bucks, another buck, and a 3 or 4 doe 9and saw many more). I hunted with them one weekend and saw the biggest buck I have ever seen (there it was, there it wasn't!!! - boy I was sick that I didn't get a shot). Shows how much difference there can be in a close prroximity.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought these things needed to be said.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

what, no additional comments??
I thought my thoughts might stir something up?

oh, well........

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I have. Two people I know did it this year.

Don't know where you got that from but this is from the DEC web site.The total take in the 2002 season was approximately 308,000 deer, and includes more than 128,000 bucks and nearly 180,000 antlerless deer. This is a new record high total harvest, and is approximately 9 percent higher than the 2001 take of 282,000 deer. The 2002 buck take is the second highest buck take recorded by New York hunters.

You're assuming there aren't you?

Congrats on the State Championship in Football. CF has a great program.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Charlie, thanks for the comments

I have to admit my wrong on the actual numbers (thanks for the correction), but all of what I heard from this year (from the "experts") said the overall kill was down. I think what I was really thinking of or meant was that the deer population is not getting any smaller and we need to be harvesting more deer.

I still stand by the DMAP comments. Either they don't know, don't care, or are simply jealous. They are needed and probably under-issued.

We ought to post a question on the NE forum and see just how many NYers harvested 7 deer. It would be interesting to se the results (maybe it's more than I think, but still generally uncommon).

Thanks about the football. It was something to watch. My brother was the starting Off/Def end. Amazing season.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Just saw that your Bro was voted all state as a jr. Congrats.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

ummmmmmm yes unfortunately I hear more that do than don't.

The money is too good!!

What stats are you looking at?? Have you checked the harvest reports over the last 3 years????

Yeah ok!!

Well goodie for them. Are you telling me I don't know my deer herd over the last 16 years of hunting them around here??? please I spend countless hours scouting. I know what I know.

Plenty of additional comments. Just haven't seen the post yet.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

NYB -

you hear of MORE that take 7 deer than don't??? - that is a crock; I'll concede that it abviously does happen but is no way overly common, I personally have never heard of any one person filling all their tags. If I could fill all my tags I definitely would and wouldn't feel bad about it.

I already was corrected and admitted my wrong on the deer take, but thanks for correcting me again.

I didn't say you don't know "your" deer herd. Simply stating the FACTS about my friends camp in Owasco. Maybe "your" deer herd was over there? By the way those deer were taken on his 30 parcel and it was probably the best year they have ever had, next year they may not see any deer - that's just the way deer hunting is sometimes.

Charlie P - thanks on the football end, it is pretty awsome, they'll have a lot to live up to next year, maybe we can schedule Vestal for a sure win, lol :-)


Gotta love this website - gets good conversations going.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

Glad I could help.

really??


To be honest with you the only people that benefit from the extra tags are poachers. Think about it. Who in the world needs to shoot 7 deer in one season?? You yourself said "nobody" fills all 7 tags. So why give them??? Gives the poachers more tags to turn more deer in legal now.
Nuissance tags I have a problem with too. I don't have a problem with the concept of them. Of course I wouldn't want any hardworking farmer to lose a lot of mony due to deer damage. But the way they hand them out like cotton candy is a joke. You know how easy it is to get them??? Maybe they should evaluate who's filing for them and what kind of damage there is. It' a joke. I could pick up the phone right now and get some tags headed my way in about 15 minutes. To be blunt with you. 90% of these "nuissance" tags are handed out to redneck yahoos to go sling some lead and see how many they can drop. You're blind if you can't see that.
So all in all DMP and Nuissance tags are a detrement to hunting in NYS. Promote poaching and give the yahoos 5,10,15 more slugs to be slinging in the air.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I really don't see it that way and the farmers I talk with say it is a pain in the neck to get enough permits or sometimes any at all. Different regions/DEC agents may make a difference. I guess for the most part we will have to agree to disagree

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

[/quote]
They give the permits becuase we are controlling the deer population (at least trying). Personally I wouldn't have much problems using 7 deer. Between family & friends, parties, hunting camps, jerky, sausage, etc. It would be gone. We have 5 in the freezer now, don't worry it won't go to waste. There is also a good thing called the venison donation program - if you get 7 deer but can only use 4 - donate the meat to the progarm.

again - agree to disagree

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

I was born and raised in Steuben county (have moved away but return each fall for archery or gun or both). The hunting is good, although, this last year basically sucked...IMO. Areas around Hornell, Bath, Corning, and Prattsburg (a little further north) have lots-o-deer with some nice bucks scattered. Even some of the Wildlife Management Areas are good. I've hunted (bow and gun but prefer bow) Erwin alot and been successful. It totals about 2600 acres I believe. You could do worse.

RE: NY's Southern Tier
 

[8D]I believe we one a state title a few years before you did? On bad season in quite awhile and you want to jump on us. Good thing you guys one this year or we would have to start calling you the Buffalo Bills.lol[8D]