From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Mar 13 10:52:58 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:52:58 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] 2007 Deer and Bear Harvests Message-ID: <47D9078A0200007000016D22@co-nc1-svr08.dec.state.ny.us> NY Big Game Subscribers, Statewide, deer and bear hunters had another good year. Please view the following links for 2007 big game harvest reports. 2007 Bear Take Press Release http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/42308.html 2007 Deer Take Press Release http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/42292.html Deer and Bear Harvest Tables http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu Apr 3 10:58:33 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:58:33 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] DEC submits wildlife bills Message-ID: <47F4B85902000000000FC56C@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> NY Big Game, I'd like to make you all aware that the DEC has been successful in having several legislative initiates supported by the Governor?s office and advanced to the legislature. These initiatives include creation of a junior big game hunting license that would allow juniors of age fourteen to hunt big game with a firearm under tightly controlled supervision, providing an opportunity available to families in every other state of the nation. Another initiative reduces the discharge distance from structures for longbows from 500 feet to 250 feet, thus making it much more feasible to secure permission to bowhunt in areas currently inaccessible because of development. The initiatives also include a provision to enable seniors and hunters with disabilities to hunt with a crossbow. For more details, please see the DEC press release at http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/42553.html. Before any changes take place, these initiatives will need to be introduced into the 2008 Legislative Session and passed into law. To track the status of these legislative initiatives, I recommend monitoring the New York State Assembly website. They have a great tool available to track current bills in the legislature. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg You can search by keyword or Bill Number. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Wed Apr 9 13:29:15 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:29:15 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Question of the Month - season dates Message-ID: <47FCC4AB02000000000FC9C7@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> NY Big Game, As a new feature of the NY Big Game listserv, I'd like to begin sharing a "Question of the Month." Our wildlife staff are daily asked a variety of questions from the public that span the range of wildlife issues. At the beginning of each month, I'll review the questions I've received over the past month and share an interesting question and my response. To kick this off, I'll address a question that has been popular this year. Q: I need to request my vacation days many months in advance. What are the big game season dates for next fall? And I hear that DEC has changed the southern zone bowhunting season for 2008, what is that all about? A: Well, I'll answer your second question first, then I'll provide the season dates. The 2008 bowhunting season in the Southern Zone will be 28 days long, compared to 35 days in 2007. This is not a new change by the DEC but is an outcome of the season restructuring process of 2005 when we transitioned to Saturday openers for the early bow season and regular deer season in the Southern Zone. The current formula starts the Southern Zone bowhunting season on the first Saturday after Columbus Day, and the Southern Zone regular deer season on the third Saturday in November. Because of the timing of Columbus Day in October and Saturdays in November, the 2008 early bow season will be several days shorter than in the past few years. The season formula does not affect the length of regular deer season, just the bowhunting season, and the bowhunting season will again be 35 days long in 2009. The season structure implemented in 2005 was primarily intended to increase opportunity for young hunters. Recent survey results indicate that participation and satisfaction has increased among school-aged hunters as a result of this change. So, now for season dates. I have attached a summary page of the 2008 big game season dates and I'll list a few key opening dates here. Early Bear season in the Northern Zone: opens Sept. 13 (must use 2007-08 tags prior to Oct. 1) Northern Zone Bowhunting: opens Sept. 27 (must use 2007-08 tags prior to Oct. 1) Northern Zone Muzzleloading: opens Oct. 11 Northern Zone Regular: opens Oct. 18 Southern Zone Bowhunting: opens Oct. 18 Southern Zone Regular: opens Nov. 15 (regular bear in the Allegany range opens Nov. 22) Southern Zone Muzzleloading: opens Dec. 8 We will be updating our website soon to show the 2008 dates on the season maps at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10003.html Additionally, the formulas used to calculate future big game season dates can be seen at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10002.html Enjoy the anticipation of the hunt while planning and preparing for the coming seasons. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2008biggame season.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 27146 bytes Desc: not available URL: From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri May 2 13:51:24 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 13:51:24 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Question of the Month - sick deer? References: <481B128F02000000000FD75F@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <481B1C5C02000000000FD76E@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <481B1C5C02000000000FD76E@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game: This time of year our staff often get calls and letters about sick, scruffy looking deer. Here is a typical Q&A. Q: We typically have several deer that feed in our fields each afternoon. Over the past week or so, I have noticed that the deer appear thin, and their hair was scruffy as if patches of hair were missing. Are these deer sick? A: The deer are probably not sick or malnourished. What you are probably observing is seasonal molt or shedding of brownish-gray winter hair as it is replaced with reddish-brown summer hair. Winter hair is typically shed in April or May, and through this period deer look particularly scruffy. Deer also may appear quite thin in early spring, particularly during years with prolonged winter snows or limited food availability in the preceding fall. During winter, natural food availability is quite limited and typically what is available is of poor nutritional quality. Deer compensate by metabolizing stored body fat to supplement their natural food intake. Even healthy and robust deer will loose weight through a northern winter. That said, as you continue to observe these deer, if their condition should appear to worsen or their behavior change such that they become sluggish or unresponsive, the deer may indeed be ill. In that case, please notify your regional wildlife office of the situation. In spring, deer are often readily observed in fields and forest openings as they feed on the newly emerging vegetation. As we move through the month of May, natural foods become more widely available throughout the forest, adult does will begin locating appropriate habitat for giving birth, and deer will seem to have become scarce. So enjoy your wildlife viewing opportunities when you can get them. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Thu May 29 07:50:42 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 07:50:42 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] tips to avoid conflicts with black bears and coyotes Message-ID: <483E605202000000000FE4E2@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, This past Memorial Day weekend was a great opportunity to get a jump start on summer activities, to spend time outdoors, wet a fishing line, go for a hike, and fire up the grill for a barbeque with friends. While I didn't see any bears or coyotes during my activities over the weekend, I did hear coyotes howling from the brushy fields on my neighbor's property. I was reminded that when we live and recreate in bear and coyote habitat there are several important precautions we can take to avoid potential conflicts with these animals. DEC recently released several news announcements with these precautions, and I've included the links below. Enjoy your time outdoors! Tips to avoid conflicts with black bears http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/44114.html Tips to avoid conflicts with coyotes http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/44060.html Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jun 6 15:05:15 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:05:15 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Question of the Month - orphaned fawns? Message-ID: <4849522B02000000000FE8FA@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game: I received the following question earlier this week. Q: This morning we found a fawn bedded in the high grass at the back of our property. The fawn appears to all alone, and we are concerned that the doe has abandoned it. What should we do? A: I recommend taking a picture and then leaving the fawn alone. If you or your neighbors have dogs, be sure to keep them indoors for the next few days or secure them well away from the fawn. It is very unlikely that the fawn is truly abandoned. In fact, it is normal behavior for newborn fawns to be separated from the doe much of the time. Until fawns are able to run well, their survival from predators depends on remaining undetected. Does spend very little time with their fawn to avoid attracting predators by sight or scent. Doe will nurse their fawns for 15 to 20 minutes and then leave them alone for 4 to 6 hours, until it is time for the next feeding. Many people mistakenly assume that a young deer lying alone has been abandoned. Occassionally, some of these people take it upon themselves to "rescue" the young deer, when in reality they have actually kidnapped the fawn from its doe. While perhaps well intentioned, taking in a wild fawn (or other wildlife) is not only bad for the animal but is also illegal. The best course of action is to leave the fawn alone and observe it from a distance. The DEC recently released a news announcement about young wildlife titled, "If you care, leave it there". The news release can be viewed at http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/44005.html Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jun 27 11:21:01 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:21:01 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Proposed Expansion of Southern Zone Bear Hunting References: <4864AA1602000000000FFFB1@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <4864CD1D02000000001000BB@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <4864CD1D02000000001000BB@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, DEC recently announced a proposed regulation change that would open black bear hunting in new portions of the Southern Zone. Public comment on this proposal will be accepted until August 9, 2008. To read the text of the proposed rulemaking and to provide comment, please see www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#part1section31 The press release announcing the proposal will soon be available on our website at www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html DEC will also be hosting several public meetings to discuss the proposed regulation changes. Times and locations are posted within the press release. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Jul 25 08:15:55 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:15:55 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Great news for junior hunters! Message-ID: <48898BBB0200000000104F12@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, I almost missed July's Question of the Month, but without a doubt the most popular question in recent weeks has been, "Did it pass?" - referring to the Junior Hunter Mentoring legislation. And the answer is... YES! This is great news for New York hunters and their families. The law goes into effect immediately, and will provide new opportunities for young hunters this fall. I've copied Governor Paterson's announcement below, and it is also available at www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0724082.html Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist NYSDEC GOVERNOR PATERSON SIGNS BILL TO CREATE JUNIOR HUNTER MENTORING PROGRAM, DELIVER BOOST TO NEW YORK SPORTING COMMUNITY Legislation Brings New York In Line With Other States? Hunting Programs Bill Creates Additional Outdoor Opportunities for Young Sportspersons Across the State Governor David A. Paterson has signed into law a bill that creates a special ?junior hunter? mentoring program which will allow persons aged 14 and 15 to hunt big game with a firearm while accompanied and supervised by an experienced adult hunter. Current law already allows persons aged 12 to 16 years to hunt small game with a firearm or longbow, and persons aged 14 and 15 to hunt big game with longbow, under supervision. However, New York was the only state in the nation where 14-year-olds could not hunt big game with a firearm. Over 40 states allow 12-year-olds to hunt big game with a firearm. ?Hunting is a rich part of New York State?s heritage, particularly in the North Country and our more rural areas, as well as a crucial part of the state?s thriving sports industry,? said Governor Paterson. ?This bill will afford New York families, especially those Upstate, the same opportunities that already exist in other states by offering our junior hunters the opportunity to safely partake in such an important New York pastime with their parents, grandparents and other experienced hunters.? Senator Dale M. Volker said: ?This is tremendous news for sportsmen, sportswomen, and their families throughout the State of New York who enjoy hunting and promoting safe and responsible wildlife management. I would like to thank Governor Paterson for signing this legislation into law. His action on this bill embraces our strong hunting tradition in New York State. Both Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte and I have fought very hard over the years for this bill, and now families will have the opportunity to enjoy hunting with their younger family members and foster responsible wildlife management techniques for future generations of hunters.? Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said: ?Studies show that strict supervision by experienced hunters instills a strong safety ethic in young hunters, and according to the DEC, the current licensing program has proven extremely successful and remarkably safe. The extended license will not only impart responsible hunting practices in hunters at a younger age, but it will also provide an opportunity to bolster more effective hunting recruitment.? -more- Pete Grannis, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, said: ?Through Governor Paterson?s leadership, this long-sought measure has become a reality. Historically, responsible hunting has been valuable in instilling youth with an appreciation of the state?s abundant natural resources and a responsibility to act as environmental stewards. This bill will increase opportunities for young people to get out of the house and experience the outdoors. In addition, given the trend of declining hunters and expanding deer populations, the recruitment of additional hunters is needed to effectively manage deer populations in the future.? Patrick Hooker, New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner, said: ?Wildlife causes a significant amount of damage to agricultural crops annually and the only practical way to control it is through regulated sport hunting. I applaud the Governor?s decision to usher in the next generation of hunters at an earlier age, who will not only help keep this sport alive, but will help farmers manage wildlife on their farms and in rural areas throughout New York State. This is an historic and very positive change in New York?s hunting regulations and it epitomizes the Governor?s acknowledgment of New York?s rural heritage.? Currently, all first-time hunters in New York must take a ten-hour hunter safety course and pass a written and practical examination before being issued a hunter safety certificate which is required when purchasing a hunting license. Parents of minors must also give written permission for a minor to take the safety course and to be issued a license. Today?s bill establishes additional supervision and safety requirements for the new program to help ensure that the junior hunting experience occurs safely: ? Hunters who are 14 and 15 years of age who hunt big game with a firearm must do so under the direct supervision and control of the adult hunter who must be a parent, guardian or other adult over the age of 21 designated in writing by the parent or guardian, have a minimum of three years of big game hunting experience, and maintain close and constant visual contact and physical control over the minor hunter. ? The junior hunter and his or her mentor must hunt at ground level ( i.e., they may not hunt from an elevated blind). ? The junior hunter and his or her mentor must wear blaze orange at all times while hunting. The bill also creates a trapper mentoring program that allows youngsters to accompany and assist a licensed trapper who is at least 18 years of age and has at least three years of trapping experience. There was overwhelming support for the bill from hundreds of individuals and groups from around the state who wrote in to urge that the bill be enacted. From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Aug 15 15:34:44 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:34:44 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] 2008-09 Licenses, DMP odds, and Deer Season Forecast Message-ID: <48A5A2140200000000105E50@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, This is just a reminder that New York hunting licenses for the 2008-2009 hunting season will be available for sale on Monday, August 18, 2008. You can pick up your license at one of our 1,500 license sales outlets across the state, order your license by mail or phone, or if you are a returning license buyer, you can also purchase licenses via our website at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html Deer Management Permit (DMP) applications will also be available when you buy your license. The odds of being selected for a DMP remain the same throughout the entire application period, so you don't need to rush out to be the first one in line. Just remember that all DMP applications must be received before the close of business on October 1, 2008. The odds of selection for a 2008-09 DMP, as well as an explanation of the DMP selection process, has been updated on our website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html Additionally, our deer biologists have recently finished putting together the annual Deer Hunting Season Forecasts for each Wildlife Management Unit across the state. You can read the 2008 forecasts at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37304.html Enjoy, Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Sep 15 09:50:02 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:50:02 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] NZ bear season and new Frequently Asked Questions Message-ID: <48CE2FCA.4648.0000.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, Well, bear hunting in the Northern Zone got off to a good start this past weekend, and several bears have already been reported. The early bear season began Saturday, 9/13/08 and will continue until 10/10/08. Many of the questions we have received lately dealt with what tags and hunting implements are legal during the early bear season. Answers to these questions and many others can be found in our recently updated Hunting - Frequently Asked Questions web page (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8310.html). Q: What firearm can I use during the Early Bear Season in the Adirondacks? A: You may use a bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle during the Early Bear Season in the Adirondacks. Q: What license and tag do I use during the Early Bear Season in the Adirondacks? A: The Early Bear Season in the Adirondacks begins in September and runs into October, but NYS hunting licenses are valid from October 1 to September 30. This means that to hunt during September of the Early Bear season, you must use your previous year's license and unfilled bear tag. After October 1, you then must use your current year's license and current year bear tag. Good Hunting! Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Sep 22 15:34:16 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:34:16 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] New areas opened to bear hunting Message-ID: <48D7BAF8.4648.0000.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game: DEC has adopted new regulations that expand bear hunting to 13 additional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in central and western New York. A revised map of the areas open to bear hunting can be viewed at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28602.html. The regulations are in effect immediately and will allow hunters to pursue bears in these areas during the bowhunting, regular, and muzzleloading bear hunting seasons in the Southern Zone. The expansion is a continuation of efforts to manage bear population growth and range expansion. To read the press release announcing the new regulations, please see http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/47071.html. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Tue Oct 21 14:01:18 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:01:18 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] DEC to Issue Additional DMPs Message-ID: <48FDE0AE.4648.0000.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lori O?Connell Tuesday, October 21, 2008 (518) 402-8000 DEC TO ISSUE DEER MANAGEMENT PERMITS Hunters Previously Denied May Receive Deer Management Permits Through Correction Process UNCLAIMED PERMITS ALSO AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 1 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that approximately 10,000 Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be issued to hunters who were previously denied permits earlier this year during the DMP initial application period that ended on Oct. 1. Leftover DMPs will also be available in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1. ?New York's hunters are key to the success of the state's deer management programs,? Commissioner Grannis said. ?Hunters have enjoyed a proud legacy in New York State and we look forward to helping them have a successful season this year. The DMPs greatly enhance our ability to properly manage the state?s deer population.? Deer Management Permits, which allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer, are issued for specific WMUs to control local deer populations. In order to provide DMPs at point-of-sale locations, DEC must anticipate the number of applicants in each WMU and assign a probability to each unit to ensure the availability of the appropriate number of DMPs. In several WMUs, DEC received fewer applications than projected by the Oct. 1 deadline, while in other areas demand exceeded supply. To issue the remaining DMPs, DEC randomly selected applicants who were previously denied DMPs in affected WMUs during the application period. With the selection process now completed, the Department has begin to mail permits. An average of 13 percent of the hunters previously denied permits in these units will receive a DMP through this correction process. Additional DMPs will be made available in the following WMUs: ? 3H: including parts of Sullivan and Ulster Counties. ? 4A, 4B, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4O, 4S, 4W, 4Z: including parts of Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Montgomery, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, Greene, Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Sullivan, Ulster, Columbia and Dutchess Counties. ? 5K, 5P: including parts of Washington, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties. ? 6A, 6C, 6H, 6K, 6P: including parts of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Oswego, Oneida and Madison Counties ? 7F, 7R: including parts of Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Seneca Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins Counties ? 9P, 9R, 9S, 9X: including parts of Allegany, Livingston, Steuben, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties For more descripton on these WMU geographic units, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html . Hunters not selected for a DMP will not receive a mailing from DEC. Hunters are urged to wait for their permits to arrive by mail. Selection for one of these permits will not affect any preference points issued to hunters who were not selected for their first choice area during the original application period. In addition, DEC will also reopen the DMP application process starting Nov. 1, on a first-come, first-served basis for WMUs that have not reached target totals during the random selections. Hunters may apply for leftover DMPs at any DEC license sales outlet beginning Nov. 1. Leftover DMPs will not be available by phone, by mail or via the internet. DMP applications will be accepted for the following WMUs: ? 1C: including all of Suffolk County. ? 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only): including parts of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Rockland, and Westchester Counties. ? 8A, 8G, 8H, 8N: including parts of Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario Wyoming, Steuben, and Yates Counties. ? 9A, 9F: including parts of Erie and Niagara Counties. During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU all day once a WMU is opened for leftover issuance. The status of permits will be reviewed each night at midnight, and any filled units will be removed from the list of those available, with no further applications accepted for those units. For locations of these WMUs, check the 2008-09 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html on DEC?s website. From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Fri Oct 31 11:31:34 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:31:34 -0400 Subject: [Nybiggame] Online Game Harvest Reporting is Now Available References: <490987000200000000108A52@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> <490AEC960200000000108B53@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <490AEC96.4648.0000.0@gw.dec.state.ny.us> Dear NY Big Game, You can now report your deer, bear, turkey or beaver take via DEC's new Online Game Harvest Report system! Bookmark this page: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html or follow the link from within the "Hunting Information" box on DEC's home page. As many of you know, DEC has been working to make game harvest reporting an easier process. The online report system answers that call and really streamlines the reporting process. One of the unique aspects of our online system is that you can view the tags you have already reported this season as well as the tags you have remaining. I encourage you to take a look and use the online system to report your next deer, bear or turkey harvest. For those of you interested in the relationship between game harvest reporting and harvest calculation, please see "Deer Harvest Reporting and Harvest Calculation" at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47738.html Jeremy Hurst NYSDEC Big Game Biologist From nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us Mon Dec 29 20:39:40 2008 From: nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us (nybiggame at lists.dec.state.ny.us) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:39:40 -0500 Subject: [Nybiggame] preliminary 2008 deer and bear harvests Message-ID: <4959358D020000000010A5CC@gwsmtp.dec.state.ny.us> NY Big Game, We worked hard to generate big game harvest estimates early this year. Preliminary calculations indicate that a record number of bears were taken in the Southern Zone and the statewide deer take will be very similar to last year's take. See the press release at www.dec.ny.gov/press/50189.html for the report. Final, official harvest numbers with breakdown by county and town will be available in February after deer hunting concludes in Westchester and Suffolk counties and after all bear harvest data are collected. Jeremy Hurst Big Game Biologist