From the Times Herald-Record:
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/02/17/hunter17.htm  

February 17, 2005

Deer hunting take 'way down' in N.Y.
By Victor Whitman
Times Herald-Record
[email protected]  

Stone Ridge � The lousy deer season is no longer a rumor.

  The statewide deer take was down 18 percent compared to the 2003 season, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials told hunters Tuesday night.

  The number is the lowest since 1995.

  The take was way down in parts of Ulster and Sullivan counties, said Richard Henry, the DEC's big game biologist, at a public hearing at Ulster County Community College.

  The final numbers for specific areas won't be released for two weeks.

  Local hunting clubs in Sullivan estimate the take is down by 40 percent or more, the worst season in 50 years.

  Many local hunters blame the DEC's ban on deer feeding, believing winter starvation devastated the herd.

  Henry noted the take was down in Vermont and Pennsylvania.

  "You can blame lousy deer management in New York State, but that doesn't explain the Vermont take," he told hunters Tuesday night.

  After the presentation, Henry defended the ban on feeding deer, calling it "reasonable and prudent" as a precaution to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which hasn't yet be found in New York.

  Henry said deer populations tend to be cyclical, and the herd is sure to rebound.

  The DEC also took public comment from hunters on a proposed restructuring of the 2005 season.

  The vast majority of the 140 hunters in attendance raised their hands when asked if they opposed early muzzleloading season, which overlaps with early archery season.

  One idea that did appeal to several hunters, such as Brian O'Conner of Olive Bridge, was moving opening day to a Saturday.

  That's bound to get more young hunters out, O'Conner said.

  Big game season in New York

  2004

  Deer take: 206,000

  Buck take: 88,500

  2003

  Deer Take: 253,000

  Buck Take: 107,000

  Source: State Department of Environmental Conservation

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