Since May 19, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been accepting public comments on three regulatory proposals for hunting and trapping of wild turkey, deer and fisher. Comments will continue to be accepted through June 29 The proposed changes for all species are a result of a combination of field research, harvest reporting and hunter/landowner feedback.

The proposed fall turkey hunting changes would limit the fall season for turkey to two weeks, with a harvest of one bird of either sex during the season. DEC staff as well as many hunters have noted that wild turkey populations have been on the decline since they peaked in 2001; this is due to many causes including habitat changes, higher predator populations and adverse weather conditions. DEC staff will continue to monitor turkey populations to assess any change in population trends after the fall season change.

The proposed deer regulation seasons have to do with antlerless deer and Deer Management Permits (DMP’s). Some Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s) will see more restrictions in the antlerless harvest, while others, including a few in this region, will see less restrictive regulations. Many of the proposed changes are due to feedback by landowners, farmers and other stakeholders.

Proposed fisher-trapping regulations remain unchanged for this region, but some areas of central New York will see an open season due to dramatic population increases, while some areas of the Adirondacks will see a reduction in season length. Fishers are being spotted more frequently in this region.

The entire press release and instructions for submitting comments can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/press/101791.html.