Most whitetail fawns in New York are born in late May or early June, and the first few months are a critical period for survival. Fawn survival is heavily influenced by habitat quality, and those fawns that have good hiding cover and quality forage have the odds in their favor. [Read more…] about It’s Fawning Season
whitetail deer
DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced hunters in New York killed an estimated 211,269 deer during the 2021-22 hunting seasons.
The season’s take was down 17 percent last year and data points to a few factors for a cause, including the resurgence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in certain regions of the State and fewer Deer Management Permits allocated. There was however a 36-percent jump in youth deer kills and a late-season deer harvest increase, particularly among young hunters. [Read more…] about DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates
Public’s Assistance Sought With Jefferson County Deer Poaching
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is asking the public for information about a deer poaching incident that occurred on April 25th, 2022, in the area of Pillar Point in the town of Brownville, Jefferson County, between midnight and 5 am. [Read more…] about Public’s Assistance Sought With Jefferson County Deer Poaching
The Whitetail Deer Paddock in Saratoga’s Congress Park: Some History
It is difficult to imagine tame whitetail deer roaming freely through Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs, yet in its early years, it was both a common sight and an eagerly anticipated part of experiencing the city for both young and old.
It all began with a gift. [Read more…] about The Whitetail Deer Paddock in Saratoga’s Congress Park: Some History
2021 NYS Hunter Safety Stats Released
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that the 2021 hunting seasons in New York were the safest ever, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents since record-keeping began.
Conservation Police Officers (ECO) investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) in 2021, including one fatality. DEC did not asses the impact of COVID-19 on the 2021 hunting season. [Read more…] about 2021 NYS Hunter Safety Stats Released
Trail Cam Helps Nab Poacher
According to a press release issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, on January 20th, a Watertown man paid a $700 penalty in the town of Watertown, Jefferson County, for unlawfully taking a white-tailed deer with the aid of a bait pile. [Read more…] about Trail Cam Helps Nab Poacher
Look for Wildlife Tracks in Winter
Now is a great time to search for winter tracks or other animal signs visible in the snow. It can be fun to be a detective and figure out what animals have been walking through your yard or across a trail. [Read more…] about Look for Wildlife Tracks in Winter
How White-Tailed Deer Cope With Winter
As temperatures drop and snow deepens, you may notice a group of white-tailed deer digging around in an open field or wandering through your yard in search of food. While you may be tempted to feed the deer, they are well adapted to our winter conditions. It is also illegal to feed deer, and it may do more harm than good.
White-tailed deer go through both physical and behavioral changes that improve their survival odds during winter. [Read more…] about How White-Tailed Deer Cope With Winter
Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs). [Read more…] about Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy
First Confirmed EHD Survivor Reported By DEC
During the late summer and early fall, an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) led to the death of a significant number of whitetail deer in parts of New York State.
On Nov. 2, Environmental Conservation Officer Palmateer received information from a Catskill, Greene County, NY family about a youth hunter who shot a buck with bow and arrow a buck that had deformities on its hooves. The family reported that it looked like the hooves were starting to detach from the deer. [Read more…] about First Confirmed EHD Survivor Reported By DEC