Post by nyfur on Sept 17, 2009 19:31:06 GMT -5
DEC scheduling 'deer meetings' across the state
Staff Report
Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:27 AM CDT
Albany - DEC has scheduled several public meetings this fall to discuss potential changes to the state's deer management program.
At press time, additional meetings were still in the process of being scheduled, officials said.
"We've already reached out to a number of hunting organizations in the state and other groups interested in deer management to get preliminary feedback on their key issues," DEC wildlife biologist Jeremy Hurst said. "So we intend to talk a bit about what we've been hearing and make sure we understand the full gamut of issues from everyday hunters in addition to what we hear from the organizations, associations and nonhunters."
Hurst said it's too early to speculate as to what any regulations changes might arise as a result of the meetings. But early speculation is that among items that could be proposed would be an earlier opener to at least the Southern Zone archery season as well as an early muzzleloader season.
"The challenge, as you can imagine, is that peoples' interests and expectations on deer management vary widely,"_Hurst said. "We're hoping that the input folks give us at these meetings will help solidify what really are the priority issues for New York deer hunters and the public."
Hurst previously confirmed that an Oct. 1 archery opener in the Southern Zone "may be on the table," as well as an early muzzleloader season. "That would also enhance the antlerless harvest," he said.
It's possible a Sept. 1 archery start in the Northern Zone may be proposed by sportsmen, but Hurst says that wouldn't necessarily be tied to an early start in the Southern Zone.
Other issues that may arise include the current Saturday opener for the Southern Zone firearms deer season; an "earn-a-buck" regulation in which hunters would have to harvest an antlerless deer before taking a buck; and a "one-buck" regulation where hunters would be allowed to harvest only one buck during the season.
DEC_officials stressed, however, that although many issues may arise at the meetings, that doesn't necessarily mean they're being considered as potential regulations changes.
The meeting schedule at press time was:
Region 3: Thursday, Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m. at Orange County Community College (Bio-Tech Building, Room 207) in Middletown.
Region 4: Thursday, Oct. 8, 6-9 p.m. at SUNY Oneonta (Hunt Union Ballroom); Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m. at Bethlehem Town Hall in Delmar.
Region 5: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:30-9 p.m. at Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School; Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, Ballston Spa.
Region 7: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m. at the New York State Fair Grounds (Art and Home Center); Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m. at Chenango Valley High School.
Region 8: Thursday, Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School; Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Haverling Junior-Senior High School, Bath.
Region 9: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Randolph Fire Hall; Thursday, Oct. 22, Sheridan Parkside Community Center Auditorium, Tonawanda, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Meetings in regions 1, 2 and 6 had yet to be scheduled at press time. Additional meetings are expected to be updated on DEC's Web site:_do a search for "Public Meetings on Deer Management."
Staff Report
Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:27 AM CDT
Albany - DEC has scheduled several public meetings this fall to discuss potential changes to the state's deer management program.
At press time, additional meetings were still in the process of being scheduled, officials said.
"We've already reached out to a number of hunting organizations in the state and other groups interested in deer management to get preliminary feedback on their key issues," DEC wildlife biologist Jeremy Hurst said. "So we intend to talk a bit about what we've been hearing and make sure we understand the full gamut of issues from everyday hunters in addition to what we hear from the organizations, associations and nonhunters."
Hurst said it's too early to speculate as to what any regulations changes might arise as a result of the meetings. But early speculation is that among items that could be proposed would be an earlier opener to at least the Southern Zone archery season as well as an early muzzleloader season.
"The challenge, as you can imagine, is that peoples' interests and expectations on deer management vary widely,"_Hurst said. "We're hoping that the input folks give us at these meetings will help solidify what really are the priority issues for New York deer hunters and the public."
Hurst previously confirmed that an Oct. 1 archery opener in the Southern Zone "may be on the table," as well as an early muzzleloader season. "That would also enhance the antlerless harvest," he said.
It's possible a Sept. 1 archery start in the Northern Zone may be proposed by sportsmen, but Hurst says that wouldn't necessarily be tied to an early start in the Southern Zone.
Other issues that may arise include the current Saturday opener for the Southern Zone firearms deer season; an "earn-a-buck" regulation in which hunters would have to harvest an antlerless deer before taking a buck; and a "one-buck" regulation where hunters would be allowed to harvest only one buck during the season.
DEC_officials stressed, however, that although many issues may arise at the meetings, that doesn't necessarily mean they're being considered as potential regulations changes.
The meeting schedule at press time was:
Region 3: Thursday, Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m. at Orange County Community College (Bio-Tech Building, Room 207) in Middletown.
Region 4: Thursday, Oct. 8, 6-9 p.m. at SUNY Oneonta (Hunt Union Ballroom); Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m. at Bethlehem Town Hall in Delmar.
Region 5: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:30-9 p.m. at Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School; Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, Ballston Spa.
Region 7: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m. at the New York State Fair Grounds (Art and Home Center); Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m. at Chenango Valley High School.
Region 8: Thursday, Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School; Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Haverling Junior-Senior High School, Bath.
Region 9: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Randolph Fire Hall; Thursday, Oct. 22, Sheridan Parkside Community Center Auditorium, Tonawanda, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Meetings in regions 1, 2 and 6 had yet to be scheduled at press time. Additional meetings are expected to be updated on DEC's Web site:_do a search for "Public Meetings on Deer Management."