Albany, NY - October 28, 2015 - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that remaining Deer Management Permits (DMPs) in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) will be available to hunters beginning November 1.
Deer Management Permits, which allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer, are issued for specific WMUs to control deer populations. In some WMUs, all applicants received permits during the initial application process, but the DMP target still has not been reached.
In these units, under Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative, DEC will re-open the DMP application process on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters may apply for up to two additional DMPs in these WMUs at any DEC license sales outlet beginning November 1, 2015. Leftover DMPs are not available by phone, mail or internet. Applicants who previously paid the $10 DMP application fee or are exempt from the application fee will not be charged for this additional application. Hunters that did not previously apply for a deer management permit will pay the $10 application fee.
Applications for leftover DMPs will be accepted for the following WMUs: 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only), 7F, 7H, 7J, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 9A, and 9F.
For WMU locations, refer to the 2015-16 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit DEC's website.
During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU until the target issuance quota is achieved. The status of permits will be reviewed each night, and as individual units are filled, they will be removed from the list of those available effective the following day, with no further applications accepted for those units. A list of units with available leftover DMPs will be routinely updated on DEC's website.
Deer populations are above desired levels in all of the units with leftover DMPs. DEC encourages hunters to use these leftover tags to take an additional antlerless deer or two. Stock up on venison, make a bit more sausage, share an extra deer with your neighbors and friends, or donate the extra deer to those in need through the Venison Donation Coalition (link leaves DEC website.)
Governor Cuomo has expanded recreational opportunities for residents and tourists, positioning New York State as a recreation destination, connecting communities to state lands, and improving the quality of life. Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, last year $10 million in NY Works funding has been dedicated to fish hatchery repairs and 50 new land and water access projects such as boat launches, hunting blinds, trails and parking areas.
Under the initiative, the 2015-16 Enacted Budget included an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state's hatcheries in NY Works funding. The Budget also creates a new capital account which along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.