High turnout for youth deer hunt in New York state

SPRINGVILLE — According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens, Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 6 – 8, marked the state’s first youth firearms deer hunt. According to reports from the field, many junior hunters participated in the youth deer hunt, under the eyes of hunting mentors.

“The youth deer hunt is a great opportunity for the next generation of New York hunters and is an important step in preserving our hunting heritage, while maintaining our ability to manage deer through hunting, in the future,” Martens said. “We received enthusiastic feedback from parents and excited young hunters who took part of the Columbus Day weekend. These experiences demonstrate the great value of providing this unique opportunity for junior hunters.”

During the youth hunt, junior hunters ages 14 – 15, with a big game hunting license, were eligible to take one deer of either sex with a firearm, when accompanied by a licensed, experienced adult.

The number of junior hunting license holders who were eligible to participate at least one day of the youth hunt was 12,753.

Participating junior hunters have reported taking 486 deer, to date, although hunters have seven days to report their kills. DEC representatives said that they anticipate the final harvest estimate for the youth deer hunt to be higher, after all reports are in and the harvest is calculated.

DEC officers and wildlife staff were afield throughout the weekend, monitoring hunter activity and talking with bowhunters, small game and turkey hunters and junior hunters about their experiences, during the youth deer hunt.

According to the DEC, reports from the junior hunters were “overwhelmingly positive.” Other hunters reported that their hunting experiences were not affected by the ongoing youth deer hunt.

Many hunters told the DEC that, while they did not support the youth hunt when it was first proposed, their observations over the weekend changed their minds.

No hunting-related shooting incidents were reported, during the youth deer hunt.

Parents may submit photos from the youth deer hunt on the DEC’s big game hunting photo gallery, located at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/54055.html.