In the counties you mentioned.... I hunt Chenango.... We've been seeing a decline for the past 10 years in our woods. I saw a lot of deer bow hunting the 3 days before the gun season came in. I couldn't stay and hunt the opener but put my friends in the best spots I'd found. They saw and killed one buck. The locals were complaining about a lack of deer. I think they should cut doe permits big time.

I've hunted Steuben county for over forty (40) years and as far as I'm concernrd 2003 was ROTTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that was some sort of sick and twisted joke you played on me. I sat alongside the thruway looking south the whole time and didn't see squat.

I remember a pretty thick fog that allowed you to see about 10 yards in front of you.

I read in my local paper the less permits given out was partially also due to the harder winter on 2002-2003. As for winter kill this year, it has yet to be determined. Many don't realize the month of March is the hardest time of the winter on deer. Deer can tolerate the extreme cold, wintry conditions. But its March that hurts them most because they are still wearing those heavy coats, temps warm up, more energy is used, and winter food supplys are well used up, no new growth of spring yet, and predators are out, and about more.

Doughboy - Are you sure you're reading the same report I am?? Or is it a case of selective copy and paste??

not sure what u mean??

O.K. I would like to stir the pot a little...........
Although I did see fewer deer this year than in any other year I have hunted in New York!
I also think that people did not pick up their phones to call their harvest in!
Any one elts......................

Just to keep this discussion balanced, here is how poorly the eastern Adirondacks did in 2003: Warren county down 33%, Essex county down 16%, Hamilton county down 26%, Washington county down 49%. With the exception of Washington county the eastern Adirondacks has not seen doe permits in many years. Washington counties buck take dropped from 2.8 per sq. mile in 2002 to 2.1 per sq. mile in 2003.
I have been hunting the Adirondacks since the mid 1960's and will honestly say that 2003 was the worst season I have seen.

I'm really big on harvesting does - I advocate shooting more than most people - at least on our property in Madison County.

Still - I think the Doe permit numbers need to be reduced in Chenenago County (like Davidmil said).

Sure the population in Chenengo County is less than past years - Its because the small farmer is GONE here for the most part - and the statelands (mostly old farms that went under 40 years ago!!!) are maturing. The lands simply cannot support the 40 deer/square mile that so many people are used to in the area.

Been away for awhile, puters been on the fritz. Just found this on DEC website. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/p...04/200418.html
Notice in one paragraph the DEC writes 40% of dmu's are below desired levels. Then refer to the chart to see where your dmu stands. The number of * indictates which unit yours falls under. Above desired, at desired, or below desired.
1 of my dmu's is in the below catagory, the 2nd is at desired. Hope this helps explain a few things for 2003 harvest.