DEC Announces Fall Pheasant Release for Western New York
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the pheasant hunting regular season in Western New York will open Saturday, Oct. 19. DEC will release approximately 4,750 adult Ring-necked Pheasants on Region 9 lands open to public hunting for this fall’s season. In addition, a special youth-only pheasant hunting weekend will take place in Western New York on the weekend of Oct. 12-13.
“With an increase in stocked pheasants and locations this year, young hunters will have additional opportunities to take what they have learned from the youth hunt weekend and apply it throughout the regular season,” DEC Region 9 Director Julie Barrett-O’Neill said. “We look forward to a successful hunting season for all participants.”
For all the details on pheasant stocking, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Website with this link. This is where you will find all the information on each of the Western NY Counties regarding how many birds will be stocked, the stocking locations and much more.
NYS DEC Switches to Paper Carcass Tags This Year
It’s really happening! Instead of the expensive, waterproof carcass tags that we have been used to, the NYS DEC, in a cost saving venture, is transitioning over to tags printed on standard paper. This will be the way of the future beginning with your purchase of hunting licenses and Deer Management Unit permits for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Are you wondering how this will work? Aren’t we all? It should be interesting, to say the least. The DEC has published a LIST OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on this topic for your reading pleasure. Click on the link provided to read those questions and answers. Hopefully, your questions will be answered in your reading.
The rumors are true! You are no longer required to wear a backtag while hunting in New York State. The image to the right is an excerpt from the 2024/2025 NY Hunting Regulations Guide.
Hard to believe, but there it is in black and white!
Fishing Licenses
It’s that time of year again.Trout season is here. Don’t forget to check your fishing license. Fishing licenses are valid from the date of purchase for one year. Few people can remember when they purchased their fishing license, so double check the dates on yours to make sure it is current. If not, you can renew your license online. The process is simple and straightforward. To begin the online purchase process visit the DEC’s DECALS website.
Fishing Regulations
Fishing regulations can be complicated and can vary considerably from one stream to another, or from one body of water to another. To ensure that you remain on good terms with the Environmental Conservation Officers, pick up a copy of the current fishing regulations at any location where licenses are sold. You can also view the regulations online and even download the fishing regulation pamphlet to your device if you choose.
You can find the current regulations on the NYSDEC’s website on their Fishing Regulations Page.
Protect Yourself from Ticks This Spring
Have you been taking measures to protect yourself from ticks? Their presence in the Southern Tier woods appears to be increasing and whitetail deer are one of the mammals that they tend to feed on extensively. Tick bites can cause Lyme disease and other dangerous maladies. It is highly recommended that you educate yourself on this issue and take some simple measures to protect yourself from the potential of being bitten by a tick while spending time outdoors. Ticks will be very active in the Spring. So, protect yourself during fishing seasons and turkey hunting season.
Field and Stream magazine recently published an extensive article on ticks and the potential consequences of their bites. The article contains excellent close-up pictures of ticks that will help with identification should you be bitten. You can access that article here: “The Hunter’s Guide to Ticks.” Should you find that you have been bitten by a tick and the tick is still present, it should be carefully removed and saved for identification purposes. Should you experience evidence of infection or flu-like symptoms subsequent to the bite, you should contact your doctor right away. The New York State Health Department has a considerable amount of information on ticks and some good guidance on how to proceed should you be bitten. That information on their website is available at : “Lyme Disease and Other Diseases Carried by Ticks.”
One of the more effective methods of protecting yourself from ticks is the use of the insect repellent Permethrin. This repellent is intended to be used on your clothing, not on your skin. Clothing treated with this spray will repel ticks and other insects and is even documented to actually kill ticks that come into contact with it. Permethrin is readily available at many sporting outlets and on Amazon.com. To read more about this product, visit their website at Sawyer’s Permethrin Fabric Treatment.
We hope you find this information helpful. Take measures to protect yourself and stay safe during the warmer months!
