From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Feb 21 16:04:12 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:04:12 -0500 Subject: [Nybiggame] deer and snow Message-ID: <45DC6D7C02000000000EF072@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game subscribers, The impressive lake effect snows recently in several towns east of Lake Ontario have generated numerous inquiries as to the potential impact on the local deer herd. While we cannot yet gauge the impact of this storm on the deer herd, what we know about deer biology and behavior can help us understand how deer cope with severe winter conditions. Undoubtably, the rapid build up of snow from recent storms was unusual. However, lake effect snows in these areas are the norm, and deer commonly face deep snows elsewhere in New York and throughout northern North America. In areas of New York where deep winter snow is typical, such as the Tug Hill, Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, deer annually migrate to winter ranges that provide greater shelter. These "winter yards" are usually within dense conifer forests of low elevation, and deer may move several miles to reach these areas. The conifer forest provides the deer several advantages: (1) snow depths on the forest floor are usually much shallower than in nearby hardwood forests, (2) the snow consolidates quicker in conifer forests making travel easier, (3) wind speed is dramatically less in confer forests than in open hardwood forests, and (4) temperature fluctuations are moderated. The compromise is that winter yards usually provide very poor food resources, and so deer are forced to survive on their stored fat reserves. In areas of New York where deep snows are less common or less persistent, deer may move to temporary winter yards during only the most severe winters. However, the distances moved are usually much less, and the deer may occupy the winter yards only for short periods of time. These winter yards may simply be south-facing slopes, sheltered valleys or small patches of conifer cover. Movement of deer to the winter yards is typically triggered by increasing snow depth and may occur over several days or very rapidly. In fact, using radio telemetry equipment, I have witnessed deer move more than 10 miles in a single night to reach their winter yard when the snow started falling heavily. Because food is limited in the winter yards, deer do better when they don't have to spend as much time there. The late start to winter in many areas of the State this year gave deer additional time to store fat in preparation for winter. This is especially beneficial for fawns that are still growing and unable to put on as much fat as adults and for adult bucks recovering from the rut. During a typical winter, most deer that migrate in New York tend to do so by mid-late December. This year, despite the relatively light snowfall in early winter, most deer likely moved toward the vicinity of their winter yards by mid-January and so were probably well poised to receive the storms in February. Occasionally, deer will not migrate to winter yards, even in the Tug Hill and Central Adirondacks, if they have moderate cover available and a good food resource (timber harvest with lots of tree tops on the ground or ornamental plants and birdfeeders in a residential setting). If any deer in the hardest hit bands of lake effect had not moved to winter yards and were caught in a poor cover situation, they would be very vulnerable. However, as I mentioned previously, deer can move to winter grounds rapidly. With the recent storms in New York, initial snow accumulations were dramatic, but rapid settling of fluffy lake effect snow quickly reduces actual snow depths. It is certainly a tough go for deer right now, but duration of deep snows will be the critical factor for deer survival. We've often considered >40 days of snow depth exceeding 20", or >60 days exceeding 15" to be the point at which loss starts to mount. If strong winter conditions persist through March, we can expect some significant loss in the areas hardest hit. However, if the duration of deep snow is relatively short due to warming or settling, deer in good shape from the mild early conditions should be able to lay low and work off of fat reserves. By early April, if snow depths allow, many deer will start to move toward summer range and once again have decent food available. It is a bit early to judge what impact recent storms and this winter overall will have on deer survival. At this point, we just need to see how the rest of the season plays out. In the meantime, enjoy the snow. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Mar 5 08:21:19 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:21:19 -0500 Subject: [Nybiggame] 2006 Deer and Bear Harvests Message-ID: <45EBD2FF02000000000EF5AD@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game Subscribers, To read about deer and bear harvests this past season and see the harvest breakdown throughout the State, please view the links below. 2006 NY Deer Harvest http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2007/200718.html 2006 NY Black Bear Harvest http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2007/200717.html Jeremy Hurst NYSDEC Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Jul 26 08:16:26 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:16:26 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] New Law Allows Big Game Hunters to Use Rifles in 3 Counties Message-ID: <46A8585A02000000000F3DEE@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game Subscribers, Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed a new law that allows big game hunters to use rifles in three Southern Tier counties beginning this year. The legislation, which allows rifle use for big-game hunting in Chemung, Steuben and Yates counties, is similar to legislation enacted in 2005 for 10 counties in Central New York and the Southern Tier. However, this measure expires in one year and would have to be renewed in 2008 by state lawmakers. To see the full press release on the recent law change, please view the DEC website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/36686.html A map of Legal Implements for Big Game Hunting in NY can be viewed at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html Sincerely, Jeremy Hurst From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jul 27 10:52:46 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:52:46 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] 2007 DMP Selection Probabilities Available References: <46A8B68E02000000000F3EA5@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46A8B92802000000000F3EA8@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46A8BCB202000000000F3EAB@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46A9CE7E02000000000F3F49@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <46A9CE7E02000000000F3F49@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game readers: The 2007 selection odds for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are now available via our website: www.dec.ny.gov/permits/30409.html. DMPs are valid only for the taking of antlerless deer and serve as the cornerstone for statewide deer management efforts. DMPs are specific to an individual Wildlife Management Unit and are issued through a lottery system to ensure equitable distribution. The odds of being selected and the selection process are described on the webpage linked above. Sincerely, Jeremy Hurst NYSDEC Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Aug 14 15:04:23 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:04:23 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] 2007 Deer Hunting Forecasts References: <46B88AB602000000000F45A0@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C1C47702000000000F486F@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <46C1C47702000000000F486F@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game: The 2007 Deer Hunting Season Forecasts have been posted on the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8343.html The forecasts include a general statewide perspective and specific forecasts for each Wildlife Management Unit. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Aug 21 09:35:47 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:35:47 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide corrections References: <46C2B35702000000000F48DC@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C2BB6E02000000000F48E6@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C2BBAB02000000000F48ED@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C2BD5B02000000000F48F0@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C2E0AB02000000000F490B@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C3054D02000000000F4921@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C5555902000000000F4A17@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C573BD02000000000F4A2F@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C5740F02000000000F4A32@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46C575C802000000000F4A39@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <46CAB1F302000000000F4BF4@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <46CAB1F302000000000F4BF4@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game: Many of you are aware that 2007-08 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses are currently available for purchase. Please remember that the application period for Deer Management Permits (DMPs) ends on October 1, 2007. To learn more about purchasing a sporting license, please see http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html Those of you who have picked up your license already may have had the chance to enjoy the new format of New York's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Along with our regulations and season dates, you will find numerous articles featuring recent highlights of the Bureau of Wildlife and the Division of Law Enforcement. The new regulations guide was a large undertaking, and we are very pleased that it is the finest guide we have ever published. Unfortunately, there are several corrections that need to be addressed in the guide. The corrections have been made in the online version of the guide which is available for download at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html The corrections are also listed below by the page on which they occur in the guide: Page 8 The telephone number for the Region 8 Avon Wildlife Office should be: (585) 226-5380 Page 23 Bow/MZ Season Either Sex Tag: Bowhunting Season Northern Zone should be: Oct 1 - Oct 19 Bow/MZ Season Antlerless Tag: Bowhunting Season Northern Zone should be: Oct 1 - Oct 19 Westchester County Regular (bowhunting only) should be: Oct 13 - Dec 31 Deer Management Permit Deer Tag: Westchester County Regular (bowhunting only) should be: Oct 13 - Dec 31 Page 62 Disregard the names under Allegany, they should be: Lt. Ken Didion 585-596-6396 ECO Ken Basile 585-593-0133 ECO Russell Callani 585-365-8198 ECO Mark Wojtkowiak 607-276-2076 Under Cattaraugus, the following should be added: ECO Robert Nosal 716-532-0461 Page 76 Deer Opening Day - Northern Zone: Regular should be: Oct 20 Opening Day - Southern Zone: Bowhunting should be: Oct 13 Regular should be: Nov 17 Sincerely, Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Sep 28 12:02:25 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:02:25 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] DMP Deadline is October 1 Message-ID: <46FCED5102000000000F61E8@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, For hunters interested in applying for a Deer Management Permit, valid for antlerless deer only, please be aware that the deadline for application is October 1. DEC Press Release about the DMP Deadline http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/38163.html Chances of selection for DMPs http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/30409.html Sincerely, Jeremy Hurst NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Oct 4 14:58:53 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:58:53 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Southern Zone Bow and Northern Zone Muzzleloading Seasons References: <4704EFB302000000000F6529@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <4704FFAD02000000000F6542@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <4704FFAD02000000000F6542@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, Saturday, October 13 marks the start of Southern Zone Bowhunting and Northern Zone Muzzleloading Seasons for deer and bear. This is an exciting time of year for many hunters, and with populations of deer and bear growing in many portions of the state, we expect harvests to be slightly greater this year compared to 2006. DEC has recently received comments from several hunters seeking clarification about the start of the Northern Zone Muzzleloading season. Below is a portion of a recent press that addresses the situation. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds hunters that the opening day of the Northern Zone Muzzleloading season is Oct. 13, 2007. This press release is to clarify the proper use of the "BOW/MZ SEASON" 2007-08 tags. These tags (yellow) may be used by bowhunters or muzzleloaders during their respective open seasons. The Northern Zone muzzleloading season will run from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19. In some wildlife management units within the Northern Zone, the muzzleloading season will reopen on Dec. 3 and close on Dec. 9. The Northern Zone bowhunting season opened on Sept. 27 and will close on Oct. 19. Hunters are reminded that last year's (green) tags must be used prior to Oct. 1. Hunters should carefully check the map on page 22 of this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for additional regulations on the taking of either sex deer or antlered deer. Whether hunting with a bow or muzzleloader, hunters must possess a "BOW/MZ SEASON" tag. Hunters are reminded that these tags may only be used by the original license holder-they may not be transferred to other hunters. Also, successful hunters are reminded to report their take by calling 1-866-GAMERPT (1-866-426-3778). Reporting the harvest of deer is a legal requirement, and it is vital to proper deer management. For specific season dates and areas open to deer and bear hunting, please check pages 22 and 29 in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or see the maps linked from our Big Game Hunting Seasons webpage at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10003.html Enjoy your time afield, Jeremy Hurst NYSDEC Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Oct 30 07:59:06 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:59:06 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Additional DMPs available on November 1 in some units Message-ID: <4726E44A02000000000F71AC@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, DEC will be offering additional Deer Management Permits (DMPs) in some Wildlife Management Units beginning on November 1 on a first-come, first-served basis. The units that will have permits include: 1C (Suffolk County), 3S (Westchester County - bowhunting only), 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, and 9A. For locations of these WMUs, check the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html on DEC's website. Hunters may apply for two additional DMPs in these areas. Applications will be accepted at all license issuing outlets beginning on November 1. These DMPs will not be available by phone or mail. Applicants with licenses that are exempt from paying a DMP application fee or hunters who have previously applied for DMPs this license year will not be charged any additional fees during the extended application period. DEC will continue to issue permits in these WMUs until sufficient numbers of DMPs are issued to achieve optimum management in each unit. When a unit is opened, it will remain open at least until close of business that day. At the end of the business day, any units that have reached the desired number of permits will be closed. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Nov 1 07:17:21 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:17:21 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Regular Bear Season in the Catskills begins Nov. 17 Message-ID: <47297D8102000000000F72B0@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, The state has adopted new regulations that change the start of this fall's regular bear season in the Catskill Mountain region to Saturday, Nov. 17 -- the same day as the start of the regular deer season in that area and two days earlier than bear hunting seasons the past few years. For the full announcement, please see http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/39434.html For more information about black bear management see http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7215.html Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Nov 15 10:14:34 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:14:34 -0500 Subject: [Nybiggame] DEC ANNOUNCES SOUTHERN ZONE DEER HUNTING AND CATSKILL BEAR HUNTING BEGINS NOVEMBER 17 References: <473C1BA502000000000F7AE2@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> <473C1C0A02000000000F7AE5@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <473C1C0A02000000000F7AE5@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> DEC ANNOUNCES SOUTHERN ZONE DEER HUNTING AND CATSKILL BEAR HUNTING BEGINS NOVEMBER 17 Allegany Regular Bear Season Also Starting Soon A major change to enhance bear hunting highlights this weekend?s kickoff to the 2007 Southern Zone regular deer and the Catskill and Allegany regular bear seasons, New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. For the first time in 29 years, the Catskill bear season will commence on the same day as deer season. Previously, there had been a lag between the start of bear and deer seasons. The date change is intended to increase bear harvest in the Catskills to limit bear population growth and range expansion. The 2007 regular deer hunting season opens at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 17 in New York State?s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting in the Catskill Bear Region also begins on Nov. 17. In the Allegany region in Western New York, regular bear season begins Nov. 24. These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday, Dec. 9. ?Deer and bear hunting is a long-standing tradition and an important part of New York's outdoor heritage,? Commissioner Grannis said. ?Hunters also provide a valuable public service by keeping deer and bear populations in check, with regulated hunting being the most effective and efficient tool to maintain wildlife populations at levels that are compatible with our communities and natural resources. I encourage everyone going afield this season to be prepared and to remember DEC?s guidelines to help ensure a safe and successful trip.? Immediately following the regular season, Late Archery and Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Southern Zone open at sunrise on Dec. 10 and close at sunset on Dec. 18. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. During the late special seasons, hunters may use either of their bowhunting and muzzleloading tags, and they may also take a deer of either sex with an unused regular season deer tag. Unused Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer. In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 20 and closes Dec. 2. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks, the Tug Hill Plateau, the Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. New York's deer management program strives to maintain deer herds at levels compatible with human interests, while minimizing negative impacts and providing high-quality hunting opportunities and other recreational benefits. To aid in determining desired deer population sizes, local Citizen Task Forces are convened by DEC to represent a broad range of public interests and are charged with developing a desired deer population objective for the area in which they live. Citizen Task Forces consider many issues during the process, including habitat availability and the concerns of farmers, foresters, conservationists, the tourism industry, motorists, businesses and hunters. DEC uses regulated deer hunting to achieve the desired deer population level in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) across the state. Deer Management Permits (DMPs) function as the cornerstone of DEC's management, as DMPs are valid for antlerless deer only and are issued for specific WMUs. Since mid-August, DEC has issued over 500,000 DMPs through the DEC Automated License System (DECALS). DMPs allow hunters to take one or more antlerless deer in addition to the deer allowed by the regular, bowhunting and muzzleloading licenses. DMPs may be used in all Southern Zone seasons, including the early and late special seasons. Bonus DMPs are also available in the archery-only units and in Suffolk County (WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C). For information about obtaining Bonus DMPs, visit the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html . Hunters are reminded that several changes have occurred for the 2007 hunting seasons. - As noted, the regular bear season in the Catskill Bear Region has changed to begin on November 17, rather than November 19 as is printed in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. This change was enacted after the Regulations Guide was printed and affects only the WMUs open for bear hunting in the Catskills. - Governor Eliot Spitzer signed a new law allowing rifle use for big game hunting in Chemung, Steuben and Yates counties. It is similar to legislation enacted in 2005 for 10 counties in Central New York and the Southern Tier. This measure expires in one year and in order to continue, would have to be renewed in 2008 by state lawmakers. The pilot antler restriction program continues in the Southern Catskill WMUs 3C, 3H, 3J, and 3K. The pilot program is intended to expand the age structure of the buck population and requires that bucks taken in these WMUs have at least three antler points on a side to be legal. Hunters under 17 years of age are exempt from the three-point requirement. DEC will continue implementation of the statewide Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program, testing deer tissue for the presence of the disease in New York. More than 19,000 wild deer were tested for CWD in New York since the discovery of CWD in two wild and five captive deer in April 2005. No additional animals have tested positive for the disease. Within the CWD Containment Area of Oneida and Madison counties special restrictions remain in place governing how harvested deer and specific deer parts may be possessed, transported, and disposed. Mandatory testing of all deer taken in the Containment Area will be occurring again this fall, as well as random testing in other counties throughout New York State. Successful hunters in the Containment Area will have the option to bring the deer head only or the entire carcass to the Oneida Deer Check Station. Hunters bringing deer, elk or moose carcasses into New York from most of the western states and some Canadian provinces and territories, must process them to remove tissues of concern prior to import. Specific guidelines regarding CWD can be found in the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html . In October 2007, the first confirmed case of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) was found in a small number of wild white-tailed deer in New York. Several deer carcasses from parts of Albany, Rensselaer and Niagara counties were submitted to the DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit for examination and tissue analysis and have tested positive. EHD is a virus is transmitted from animal to animal by bites of infected midges or ?gnats.? Documented outbreaks of EHD tend to occur during late summer and early fall due to an increase in midge numbers. Outbreaks cease with the onset of a hard frost which kills the virus carrying midges. The disease does not infect humans and people are not at risk of contracting EHD by handling infected deer, eating venison from infected deer, or being bitten by infected midges. As always, hunters should observe normal precautions around any sick or strange-acting animals. Wearing gloves when field dressing game and washing their knife is recommended. Hunters should also use hot water and soap to wash any part of their body exposed to animal tissue, blood or urine. Sick or groups of dead deer should be promptly reported to the nearest DEC regional wildlife office. Background information about CWD, EHD, importing of out of state carcasses, and pertinent regulations can be found on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/38979.html . Commissioner Grannis encourages hunters to follow a few basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents: - Point your gun in a safe direction; - Treat every gun as if it were loaded; - Be sure of your target and beyond; - Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and - Remember to wear Hunter Orange. Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries, studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season, people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related mishap, and 23 times less likely to be killed in such an incident. For more hunting tips, visit the DEC webpage "Hunting Safety." For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. The guide is published annually and is available free from DEC regional wildlife offices, all license issuing agents and on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov . Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide. From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Nov 16 07:57:06 2007 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:57:06 -0500 Subject: [Nybiggame] new access agreement for NYC watershed lands in the Catskills Message-ID: <473D4D5202000000000F7B6C@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, This cooperative agreement between DEC and New York City Department of Environmental Protection was just announced yesterday. STATE-CITY AGREE TO MAJOR EXPANSION OF RECREATIONAL ACCESS TO CATSKILL WATERSHED LANDS Approximately 11,000 acres of New York City-owned land adjacent to State Forest Preserve land in the Catskills will be open to hiking, hunting, fishing and trapping without the need for a City permit under a cooperative agreement between the City and the State. State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd announced that DEC will patrol the City watershed property to enforce regulations, help protect the environment, and further assist in the management of these lands. The change will be in effect for the 2008-2009 hunting season. ?As a long-time angler on streams in the city watershed, I know how important it is to the local tourism economies and the sporting community to have consistent access policies when it comes to city and state lands within the Catskill Park,? DEC Commissioner Grannis said. ?This agreement is a tremendous step towards eliminating barriers to recreation on city-owned lands, and easing the way for people to enjoy the region.? NYCDEP Commissioner Lloyd said: ?The City of New York is committed to working with its partners in the watershed to improve recreational and economic development opportunities. We are particularly pleased to join with DEC in introducing a recreational access program while vigilantly protecting the high quality of New York City's water supply.? New York State owns over 200,000 acres in the City?s watershed west of the Hudson River, the vast majority of which is located within the Catskill Forest Preserve. This forested land has been successfully managed by DEC for many decades to allow residents and visitors to enjoy passive recreational activities without the need for State access permits Generally, City permits are required for access to City-owned land in the watershed. Under this agreement, scheduled to begin in fall 2008, the applicable DEC hunting, fishing and trapping licenses will be the only permits needed on these city lands. No permit will be necessary for hiking. Dennis Lucas, Chairman of the Coalition of Watershed Towns and Supervisor of the Town of Hunter, said: ?I applaud the opening of these significant tracts of land to hunting, fishing, hiking and trapping in the same manner as State-owned land. This is of critical importance to the economy and cultural heritage of our beautiful Catskill Mountains. We are hopeful that this is the beginning of a rejuvenated partnership to keep the water clean forever while promoting vibrant local economies.? For more information about the Catskill Forest Preserve, go to the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov. For more information about NYCDEP?s Watershed Recreation Access Permit, go to www.nyc.gov/dep .