New York State Conservation Council, Inc.

Whereas the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is responsible for regulating sport fishing, hunting and trapping within the state, and enforcing the State's environmental laws and regulations;

Whereas the NYSDEC is required by law to submit proposed rule changes, with accompanying statements, to the Department of State for publication in the New York State Register;

Whereas the NYSDEC is required by law to consider public comment for a required statutory period of time (minimum of 45 or 60 days, depending on situation). If substantial changes are required, submit a revised notice for publication in the Register, initiating another (30-day) comment period;

Whereas the NYSDEC made a regulation change in 2006 for the Black Bass (largemouth/smallmouth) season dates for the State of New York;

Whereas Oneida Lake is the largest inland body of water totally within New York State;

Whereas Black Bass are the most popular game fish species in New York State;

Whereas the NYSDEC made a regulation change in the season dates for Black Bass that are unique to Oneida Lake and not similar to Black Bass regulations on any other body of water in New York State;

Whereas the NYSDEC did not submit this proposed unique rule change to the New York State Register and did not open this change to public comment before making the final regulation change;

BE IT RESOLVED that the NYS Conservation Council demand that the NYSDEC submit rule/regulation changes that deal with hunting, fishing and trapping to the New York State Register and consider a public comment period as required by law;

Submitted by;
Patrick M Grady
President
Salt City Bassmasters
315 491-4299

Whereas it is sound deer biology to have a balanced age structure of bucks in the herd;

Whereas many deer biologists support protecting yearling bucks in order to promote a balanced herd structure and sound deer management;

Whereas New York State buck harvests are comprised of 62% yearlings, one of the highest percentage of any state in the nation;

Whereas we are confident in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deer biologists’ ability to establish a standard that will protect the majority of yearling bucks while making the majority of other age classes available for harvest;

Whereas we are also confident in the abilities of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deer biologists to objectively monitor the effects of any such program created in New York;

Whereas yearling buck protection is supported by the majority of hunters in New York State;

Whereas sportsmen in many areas of New York have requested implementing an antler restriction program to protect yearling bucks, such areas include:  WMUs 3A 4G, 4P, 4O, 4R, 4S and 4W;

Whereas we are comfortable with the levels of support and opposition in each WMU as determined by the spring 2009 hunter surveys, public meetings and public input;  
Whereas furthermore we commend the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation willingness to adopt new and progressive strategies to protect the majority of yearling bucks in the above-mentioned WMUs;

Whereas furthermore we offer our assistance to help New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staff to educate and/or inform sportsmen and women on the proposed changes;

Therefore be it resolved that the NYSCC take any and all steps to assist the DEC to adopt  progressive strategies to protect the majority of yearling bucks in the above-mentioned WMUs as requested by the majority of sportsmen and that immediately a letter be sent to the DEC strongly encouraging them to adopt yearling buck protection in requested WMU’s.

Contact:  John Rybinski,  john101@windstream.net