Call to Allow Counties to Designate Holiday Hunting Dates
Communities Urge Honorable Governor Hochul to Sign S6510/A07785 into Law Granting Outdoor Access to Multiple User Groups During the Christmas Holiday Break
Communities seek the Governor’s action to allow them to opt-out of the newly adopted Holiday Deer Hunt, allowing outdoor access to multiple user groups during the Christmas holiday break. The state legislature acted by passing S6510/A07785 supporting a multitude of organizations, counties, and municipalities. Local communities wish to maximize outdoor access for New Yorkers during this holiday time. The bill allows each county to decide whether to participate in the new deer hunting season recently opened for the first time in 2021, which runs from December 26- January 1.
For tradition and safety, while deer season is open other user groups avoid disturbing hunters and the deer. “Snowmobile trails are closed till the deer season ends” explained Michael Anderson, member of the NYS Snowmobile Association. Many landowners also shut down access to foresters, forestry work and all other kinds of outdoor activities during the deer hunting season. NYS without the holiday hunt would still provide more days afield for deer hunting with firearms than most all other northern states.
The Holiday Hunt was not requested by hunters, sportsmen or any deer hunting groups and a common theme is our firearms season was too long before adding on an additional week. “There are myriads of reasons not to allow deer hunting that late in the season when deer are extremely vulnerable” states George Allen, Central New York National Deer Association president. Allowing counties to choose DEC programs is nothing new, the latest example was the 12 year old youth hunt legislation. Especially across the southern part of the state, hunting regulations are not a one fit all, many exceptions occur.
The Holiday Hunt may have significant negative economic impacts on rural communities and businesses. Many businesses depend on the revenue generated by actives such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and farm-to-table operations. Rural communities depend on this income to be able to survive during the winter months.
The Holiday Hunt was enacted in the Southern Zone while the Northern Zone was not forced to accept a new hunting season. 14 counties in whole or in part do not have the holiday hunt season allowing more counties the ability to choose shouldn’t be an issue. This bill supports those communities and allows the communities to adjust their participation in the future as appropriate for their area.
The Holiday Hunt is not necessary for deer control, as the DEC has stated that “it doesn’t need the additional time to manage the deer populations”. NY already has one of the longest firearm deer hunting seasons without adding the Holiday Hunt. “Many hunters who love to hunt, are relieved when deer season ends”, states Mr. Tom Cole and that “he looks forward to working on his property maintenance to do list before Christmas, heavy snows and colder weather.” Rural landowners, hunters and non-hunters have always welcomed the end of New York’s long deer season so they can pursue other interests. This is especially true of the Christmas holiday break, when families have an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together during the winter school break.
Governor Hochul has a unique opportunity to exercise her leadership skills to help rural communities in our state. This is a clear common-sense decision that would allow counties the ability to choose what’s best for them at a local level on this issue. At the same time would help fulfill a past promise from the commissioner of the DEC to allow an opt out at the county level.
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As we are back country cross country skiers and winter hikers, we are hoping that our Tioga County Southern Zone area Opts Out of the Holiday Hunt. We respect the hunter season yet really do look forward to our turn to return to winter woodlands.