News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Maureen Wren, 518-402-8000

Northern Zone Big Game Seasons Begin this Saturday With Opening of Early Black Bear Season

ALBANY, NY (09/12/2007; 0941)(readMedia)-- The beginning of the early black bear season this Saturday, September 15, in the state’s Northern Zone is the kick-off to New York’s 2007-08 big game season, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.

The early black bear season runs from September 15 through October 12 in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in the Northern Zone. This season provides an opportunity for hunters to get an early start in the woods while the weather is mild. Dry weather conditions this summer have limited the production of late summer foods such as berries and apples, so bears will be active in their search for food. Hunters during the early season should have good prospects for success if they can locate food resources being used by bears.

Hunters may use rifles, shotguns, bows, and muzzleloaders during the early bear season. If hunting before October 1, hunters must have a 2006-07 big game license and unused bear tag. After October 1, a 2007-08 license and bear tag are required. Hunters are advised to check the 2007-08 hunting and trapping regulations guide, www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html , for additional specifics.

Bowhunting season for deer and bear in the Northern Zone opens September 27 and runs until October 19, 2007. A hunting license and bowhunting privilege issued for 2006-07 is required when bowhunting for deer or bear prior to October 1. Bowhunters pursuing deer from September 27-30, 2007, may use last year’s unfilled regular season deer tag (valid for either sex deer during this period), Bow/Muzzzleloader either sex tag, or Bow/Muzzleloader antlerless tag. Deer Management Permits are not valid for use during any portion of the Northern Zone Bowhunting Season, including the last four days of September.

Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Northern Zone run from October 13 through October 19, 2007. Again, hunters are urged to check the hunting guide for open WMUs for bears. With the exception of WMU 6N, which is open for antlered deer only, the entire Northern Zone is open to deer of either sex during this season. Hunters must have a 2007-08 big game license and muzzleloading privilege to hunt during this season, and both the Bow/Muzzleloader either sex tags and Bow/Muzzleloader antlerless tags may be used.

Successful hunters are reminded to report their harvest to DEC. Hunters who harvest a bear in the Northern Zone are also asked to submit a portion of the lower jaw or a tooth to DEC to help determine the age of the bear and assist DEC in ongoing bear population studies. A collection packet with a postage-paid return envelope and tooth extraction instructions will be mailed to each hunter that reports a bear harvest. Hunters who report a bear take and submit a tooth sample will receive a 2007 NYSDEC Bear Management Cooperator Patch.

Hunters are also reminded of several corrections noted for the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Specifically, on page 23, the hunting season dates for bowhunting in the Northern Zone listed with the Bow/Muzzleloader Either Sex Tag and Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Tag should be October 1 - October 13. Note that this description refers to 2007-08 tags, and the Northern Zone bowhunting season actually begins September 27 (with appropriate 2006-07 license and tags). Also, on page 76 of the regulations guide, the opening day of the Regular Deer Season in the Northern Zone should be October 20 and opening day of the Regular Deer Season in the Southern Zone should be November 17. All hunting season dates are correctly listed on the season maps of pages 22 and 29 of the regulations guide.

To view the entire regulations guide online or to find a complete list of corrections, please see www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html