New York State Conservation Council, Inc.

WHEREAS; the white tail deer population in New York State, especially the buck numbers, is currently down from previous years in many areas, and the herd needs to be restored; and

WHEREAS;  New York State’s  deer management models are nearly 100 years old and may  not reflect  the  recent advances and techniques provided  by some newer  scientific deer management models; and

WHEREAS;   the white tail deer deer herd might be restored by increasing the buck to doe ratio, thereby increasing the number and age of the buck population; and

WHEREAS;  the proposed  implementation of new white tail deer management techniques and harvest programs may increase deer hunter participation and satisfaction,  thereby  resulting in an improved and more efficient tool to achieve a raised level of annual deer harvest numbers needed for better herd management; and

WHEREAS;  there is growing interest among New York State white tail deer  hunters to participate in  deer herd management, and to expand  hunting opportunities and raise satisfaction levels, by increasing the opportunity to pursue and harvest mature bucks and create adult sex ratios that are in balance with deer herd health; and

WHEREAS;   the NYS DEC has implemented antler harvest restrictions in 2005 in Ulster County in two DMU units, and in 2006 two DMU units in Sullivan County. The white tail deer hunters report satisfaction with the program in these areas, and would like to expand the program to include additional counties including more upstate counties in Region 4; and

WHEREAS;  Schoharie County is centrally located in the NYSDEC Region 4 and has overwhelming support  for improving white tail deer  hunting in their local area; and
proposes that DMU 4G, a unit wholly contained within the boundaries of Schoharie County; be included in the implementation of an antler harvest restriction program; and

WHEREAS;   the expansion to include Unit 4G is also supported by several county conservation federations including the Schoharie County Conservation Association, and QDMA;   This expansion would provide the first DMU in the upstate area of New York State, affording more upstate area white tail deer hunters the opportunity to experience hunting in an area with an alternative deer harvest strategy program in place.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED; that the NYSCC shall support an alternative deer harvest strategy that may include antler harvest restrictions, to achieve a greater level of maturity and numbers among bucks of certain area deer populations. And that such programs be supported and implemented in the NYSDEC Wildlife Management Units that have the SUPPORT of the local NYSCC member county conservation or sportsman federations.

Contact
Willie Karlau 518-295-7781
bwkatlau@midtel.net

Title: Youth Big Game Hunting Opportunity for Region #1

Submitted by: Suffolk Alliance of Sportsman.  Contact Ron Sineo, 10 Rutherford St, St James, NY.   Phone: (631) 862-8518   e-mail: ducktruck@optonline.net
 
Background: In Suffolk County, unlike most of the rest of the State, the "regular" deer season is bow hunting only. However, in January there is a special "gun" season which is a concurrent season for both shotgun and muzzle loader. This season is fixed by Environmental Conservation Law to be limited to the 4 full weeks in January, weekdays only. There is specific language in the current EC law which prohibits big game gun hunting on Saturdays and Sundays in Suffolk County.
 
Whereas: The DEC currently does not have the regulatory authority in Region #1 to create a separate youth Big Game hunting opportunity in Suffolk County.

Whereas: Current language in the Environmental Conservation Law dictates weekdays only, for Big Game.

Whereas: Last year, the legislature lowered the Big Game Junior license age to 14. The assumption is that there is intent for youth 14 and older to have the opportunity to hunt Big Game.

Whereas: Teenagers 14 and older are in school from Monday-Friday during the Month of January. Since Big Game hunting is closed on Saturdays and Sundays in January, there is no opportunity for High School-aged junior license holders to hunt Big Game in Suffolk County.

Whereas: One of our goals as sportsmen is to facilitate youth hunting opportunities in our state.

Whereas: The Sportsmen of Region #1 support the idea of creating a local Big Game Youth Hunting opportunity on a weekend in January.
 
BE IT RESOLVED that: The New York State Conservation Council shall support any and all legislation that attempts to amend the current environmental law to allow the DEC to have the authority to provide for a youth Big Game hunting weekend opportunity in Suffolk County.

Title:   Youth Pheasant Hunting in Region #1

Submitted by:  Suffolk Alliance of Sportsman…contact Ron Sineo, 10 Rutherford St, St James, NY  Phone:  (631) 862-8518   e-mail: ducktruck@optonline.net

 Background:  At the present time, there is no opportunity for youth in Region #1 to participate in a youth only pheasant hunt in Suffolk County.

Whereas:  The DEC currently does not have the regulatory authority in Region #1 to create a separate youth pheasant hunting opportunity in Suffolk County..

Whereas:   Current language in the Environmental Conservation Law dictates both the season length and the bag limits on pheasants in Region #1, thus precluding any change to include a youth pheasant hunting opportunity.    

Whereas: The new “10” year NYS pheasant plan includes an additional 3,000 adult birds to be released annually in youth hunt areas only, on or before youth hunting weekend each year.

Whereas:  The majority of Sportsmen in Region #1 support the notion that the DEC should have the same regulatory authority over season lengths and bag limits on game species throughout the state, and not everywhere else in the state except Region #1.

Whereas:   One of our goals as sportsmen should be to encourage youth hunting opportunities in our state.

Whereas:  The Sportsmen of Region #1 support the idea of increasing local youth hunting opportunities.
 
BE IT RESOLVED that:  the NYSCC shall support any and all legislation that attempts to amend the current environmental law to allow the DEC to provide for a youth hunting opportunity on pheasants in Suffolk County.