Saltwater license, trout stamp planned

Albany - Gov. David Paterson's 2009 budget proposal includes a newly created $10 trout and salmon stamp as well as a saltwater fishing license.

The spending plan, which includes a myriad of new taxes designed to address a massive budget deficit, calls for the $10 trout/salmon stamp for anglers fishing for those species. read more

DEC REPORTS: JR. Hunters Top 15,000 in First Year

Deer Harvest Matches 2007; Bear Harvest Likely to Set Records in Catskill, Allegany Regions read more

Preliminary Deer Harvest Comparison
	2008	2007
Total	217,419	219,141
Adult Male	103,751	104,451
Antlerless	113,668	114,690
Adult Female	78,146	76,367
DMPs Issued	555,000	511,650
DMP Take	84,324	83,624
DMAP Take	8,952	10,136
Muzzleloader	17,229	17,207
Bowhunting	31,516	31,060

Preliminary Black Bear Harvest, 2008
	Adirondack	Allegany	Catskill
Early	66	na	na
Bowhunting	10	88	129
Muzzleloader	76	9	7
Regular	303	103	357
Total	455	200	493

The Reynolds Game Farm will close this year

The game farm, which has operated on Game Farm Road in the Town of Dryden since 1927, is the last of its kind in the state.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spends approximately $750,000 yearly to operate the farm, which breeds and releases pheasants into the wild for hunting. These monies come from the Pittman-Robertson monies...millions of dollars in excise taxes collected on all firearm and ammunition purchases.

“While I understand the economic and recreational importance of pheasant hunting to many of New York's outdoor enthusiasts, we must focus our limited resources in this difficult crisis and look for innovative ways to meet the needs of the people of the State,” Paterson said. “The closure of the Reynolds Game Farm presents us with one such opportunity.

The remaining pheasants will be donated to needy families through Southern Tier food banks. read more

On-Line Game Reporting

Did you know that you can now report all your big game harvests in NYS On-line? I can remember when you had to fill out the postage paid post card and drop it into the mail. Then it went to the next step of being able to use a computerized phone system that by using your touch tone pad, you could enter in the information.

Well now the state has taken the next step by giving us sportsmen the ability to report big game and buy our licenses on-line. Report your NYS Big Game Harvest on-line here

Message Boards and forums

If you enjoy visiting with others that love the sport as much as we do...I recommend either the Buckmasters message board or Primos. I am a regular on both and the best reason to become part of this is the number of youngsters on these boards asking questions pertaining to hunting that we experienced hunters can give advice on.

In order to be able to post, you will first need to sign-up for the boards. You don't have to be a paid member to take part in the discussions or join the boards.

Buck Masters Buck Talk Forum board.

Primos Message Board

NYS allowing 14 & 15 year olds to hunt with a mentor during big game season. These kids will need to get a junior hunting license that does come with their own tags and they can apply for a DMP ...read more

DEC has adopted new regulations that expand bear hunting to 13 additional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in central and western New York. The regulations are in effect immediately and will allow hunters to pursue bears in these areas during the bowhunting, regular, and muzzleloading bear hunting seasons in the Southern Zone. read more