Hunters in New York killed an estimated 231,961 deer during the 2022 hunting seasons, a 10-percent increase from last year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced. [Read more…] about DEC Releases 2022 Deer Hunting Estimates
whitetail deer
Report: National Forests Threatened By Poor Wildlife Management, Invasives
Most forests in eastern United States national parks are at risk due to browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer and crowding by invasive plants, according to a National Park Service (NPS) study published in the journal Ecological Applications. [Read more…] about Report: National Forests Threatened By Poor Wildlife Management, Invasives
How Animals Stay Warm In Winter
To survive the cold of winter, some animals take advantage of protected habitats, such as wooded areas or under a blanket of insulating snow. Ruffed grouse, for example, fly into piles of loose snow and create roosting cavities to rest in when not foraging. Mice and other small mammals remain active in tunnels under the snow. [Read more…] about How Animals Stay Warm In Winter
Whitetail Antler Sheds & Deer Health
Throughout the winter months, whitetail bucks cast off or “shed” their antlers in response to dropping testosterone levels associated with increasing daylight. Many outdoor enthusiasts search for these shed antlers as collectibles, use them to build lamps or furniture, and determine which bucks made it through the hunting season. [Read more…] about Whitetail Antler Sheds & Deer Health
Men Arrested For Drinking, Driving and Hunting
On February 15, after a weeks-long investigation, New York State Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) charged two men in Onondaga County with more than a dozen violations related to a hunting incident and drunk driving arrest in January. [Read more…] about Men Arrested For Drinking, Driving and Hunting
12-and 13-Year-Olds Killed More Than 1,800 Deer Last Fall
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced results of the second year of a pilot program allowing 12- and 13-year-old hunters to kill whitetail deer with a firearm or crossbow. [Read more…] about 12-and 13-Year-Olds Killed More Than 1,800 Deer Last Fall
There’s More To Animal Fur Than Meets The Eye
A flash of orange streaks across the meadow – a red fox, like a starburst in the snow. Its fur shimmers in the early morning light, and I, bundled in my winter layers and still shivering cold, envy the fox’s luxurious coat. [Read more…] about There’s More To Animal Fur Than Meets The Eye
Whitetail Deer & Spreading Invasive Species
A winter walk in the forest reveals a flurry of wildlife activity that often goes unnoticed during other times of the year. Often among the many tracks in the snow are the nearly heart-shaped prints of whitetail deer. Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are common throughout the United States, with an estimated population of 30 million nationwide.
Deer are an important part of the ecosystem, but their foraging behavior can wreak havoc in forests, where browsing may contribute to the spread of invasive plants – and decrease species diversity. [Read more…] about Whitetail Deer & Spreading Invasive Species
Consequences of Feeding Deer in Winter
It may be tempting to feed deer to “help” them through the winter. However, feeding whitetail deer during the winter or other times of the year is unnecessary, prohibited in New York State, and can have very negative consequences for deer, your neighbors, and surrounding wildlife habitat. [Read more…] about Consequences of Feeding Deer in Winter
Hunters Caught Poaching Deer In Western New York State
New York State Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) have been unusually busy tracking and ticketing whitetail deer poachers across New York State recently, according to a Department of Environmental Conservation press release issued Wednesday.
On the night of October 28th, ECOs organized a spotlighting enforcement detail to combat poaching activities in DEC Regions 8 and 9. During the detail in the lower Finger Lakes region and Southern Tier, Officers watched for vehicles operating spotlights for poaching. [Read more…] about Hunters Caught Poaching Deer In Western New York State