Hello All.

I just met a couple of nice fellows that were down from NY. They hunted my friends place in southeast Ohio the last couple of days and invited us up to hunt in NY anytime.

They said the deer weren't as large in body but they have over 500 acres between the 2 (father/son) and no one bowhunts it at all, but we were welcome to use firearms as well.

I remember they said it was around a 10 hour drive from our area but I cannot remember where exactly.

So, how is the deerhunting in NY state?

Doc,

It really depends what county you're hunting. NY State is rather large. Some counties (north western NY) have some pretty large deer.

I hunt in Greene County (DEC - 4H) and the average adult male (min 2.5 years old) is anywhere between 150lbs-175lbs. In Westchester County (bow hunting only - DEC - 3S) a buddy of mine has harvested many bucks pushing 200lbs.

I've only hunted in NY State (been hunting for 20 years). Therefore I can't judge NY based on other states. I will say this: Since the buck to doe ratio is about 1:6 (that's right... 6 does for every buck), the DEC (Dept. Env. Conserv.) is poor at deer management. I don't understand why year in and year out, less and less doe permits are being issued. If it were up to me I would outlaw shooting bucks (bow, rifle/shotgun, muzzleloader) for the next 2-3 years for all types of hunting in all counties. NY needs to cut that ratio down.

Sorry for the rant, but NY State could do so much better IMO.

Just found out, land is about half way between Ithaca and Rochester as the crow flies. Though they are FAR apart, those are the 2 reference cities my friend just told me.

The current problem with deer hunting in NY is that it's labeled a CWD state. Thus you would have to bone out the meat or whatever.

That was enough for us to lose interest and we live only an hour away. Otherwise it's a beautiful state.

Link

Doc, Deer hunting here in the Empire State can be anywhere from poor to fabulous depending upon many factors. Generally, the age classes of the deer killed are still "pre-teen!" Meaning on average 1 1/2 years old. There are many countires which produce large numbers of deer, but NY manages for quantity not quality at this time.

My wife took this buck see posting this section And has taken a 140 class 10 PTR as well. I do believe that those are above average deer. As I am sure you know a day hunting anywhere is better than many alternatives... Good luck and good hunting.

Don't let the term "CWD" scare you or anyone else away. There are CWD restrictions in only parts of 2 of NYs 63 counties. There may be additional restrictions imposed by bordering states, but I imagine many travelling hunters bone out their meat first anyways.

308Sako was dead on in saying that it can be anywhere from poor to fabulous. Want a Pope & Young buck? Travel to Suffolk County, Long Island or Westchester or Rockland Counties. Want a buck going over 200 lbs. field-dressed? - travel to the Adirondacks, where they are fewer but bigger. There are even a few antler-restricted areas being closely watched. In the area you are talking about you can expect everything from hilly Finger Lakes terrain to open agricultural fields.

Without the benefit of Pennsylvania's statewide antler restriction program, NY will continue to have the majority of it's bucks taken at the 1.5 year class. That area of the state also offers some of the best opportunity for non-residents to get antlerless licenses.

Get yourself a non-resident small game and turkey license and visit the area for the spring turkey season (May 1-May 30). There are good turkey numbers throughout that area and it'll give you a good idea of the deer potential. You can take two bearded birds (max 1 per day) during that season.

In my area of the Catskill Mtns it's poor.At least 6 pointer , no doe permits.On top of that I lost two prime hunting areas .First time I'm not hunting. I blame the DEC .They've been responding to all the pressure groups instead of properly managing the game !

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Doc, Deer hunting here in the Empire State can be anywhere from poor to fabulous depending upon many factors. Generally, the age classes of the deer killed are still "pre-teen!" Meaning on average 1 1/2 years old. There are many countires which produce large numbers of deer, but NY manages for quantity not quality at this time.

My wife took this buck see posting this section And has taken a 140 class 10 PTR as well. I do believe that those are above average deer. As I am sure you know a day hunting anywhere is better than many alternatives... Good luck and good hunting.

That's very true. The majority of deer taken in NY are 1.5 years old. There are many deer where I hunt but very, very few are old, mature bucks. I honestly believe if they would not allow harvesting a buck for 2-3 years and issue one doe permit per hunter for the same period it would resolve many, many deer management problems NY is experiencing.

The problem with hunters in NY is they have that old mindset of not harvesting a doe. DEC's resolution to the deer management problems encountered 30-40 years ago was to not harvest does. That has worked since the deer population has risen in the state. But now they should concentrate on quality. Therefore they should not allow harvesting bucks for 2-3 years.

erict wrote

quote:

Don't let the term "CWD" scare you or anyone else away. There are CWD restrictions in only parts of 2 of NYs 63 counties. There may be additional restrictions imposed by bordering states, but I imagine many travelling hunters bone out their meat first anyways.

Thats not true the way you state it. The bottom line is that its not legal for me to bring ANY deer into Connecticut from New York State! It can be boned of course.

We have hunted out of state in ME, NY, PA, Canada, VT and MA and have never boned out any deer. We just drag them out and take them to the butcher. We are not going to start boning out deer Sunday night in the woods somewhere in NY when we want to be on the way home.

CWD is the deal breaker. A real deal breaker.

Savage99 - not to get off topic here, but your problem is not NY, it's Connecticut's law prohibiting the importation.

Sorry you feel that way, but I think not only are there some excellent opportunities for deer hunting, but NY's non-resident licenses give quite a "bang-for-the-buck" compared to many others.

Yes the problem is not the law. It's the CWD!!

I am all for the CT law if it will keep CWD out of New England.

Yes, NY is a beautiful state. I live only an hour away and in fact I hunt deer and other game in CT near NY. I have done much woodchuck hunting in NY and it used to be fabulous for chucks til the coyotes came.

quote:

Originally posted by Savage99:
Yes the problem is not the law. It's the CWD!!

I am all for the CT law if it will keep CWD out of New England.

Yes, NY is a beautiful state. I live only an hour away and in fact I hunt deer and other game in CT near NY. I have done much woodchuck hunting in NY and it used to be fabulous for chucks til the coyotes came.

So hunt coyotes!

quote:

So hunt coyotes! thumb

The season for coyotes is closed all summer in NY! The woodchucks are gone, crows are protected now also.