Deer populations in central NY

[dradwan]

I'd like to get some feedback from those of you that hunt central NYS to see what your thoughts are on the deer population. We hunt in Otsego county (zone 4N) and have had about 4 consecutive years of really poor hunting (the majority of our group has been hunting here for 20+ years). This includes both bow and gun seasons. Now, we've had bad years in the past, but we've never had more than 1 or 2 consecutive years where our deer take and sightings have been this low.

And not only have we seen a big drop in mature buck sightings, but doe and yearling bucks have declined dramatically as well. At this point, going out for a morning or evening hunt and seeing a couple of does is a moral victory. If anyone sees a buck of any kind (and so far this year, it's only been a few spikes and forkhorns), it's a bonus.

We hunt on about 300 acres of private land (which we've tried to improve with several food plots) and since the last few winters have been relatively mild, the only reasons I can see for the population decline is either predation and/or poaching (which is an all too common practice in our area). Any thoughts?!?

[greymane]

I live in the Finger Lakes and, certainly for our area, I could not agree. We have a strong population in this area. Many of the hunters would disagree, but I think the deer are changing their patterns a bit. During the pre-season, I saw deer nearly every day. We regularly had three buck in the immediate area of our house. One being a large 10 point. I have also seen very nice racks in other areas around our town.

We are well into the season here and I saw five deer within a few hundred yards of my house last night. Of course, I didn't see them today when I was out. But, I know they are there. The scrub between our hay field and the 20 acre wooded patch by the house looks like a California freeway based on the tracks.

[hoythunter]

this was the worst season i have ever had . i had seen a total of five deer all of bow season and most of shotgun season untill turkey day when i saw the biggest buck ive sot to date . ive seen only 3 doe 1 spike 1 4pt and the 9 point i shot turkey day that is it and i hunt almost every day .since shot gun started i havent seen a doe to fill my doe tag. where are they all? i hunt near lysander and weedsport. in lysander there is 68 acres and in weedsport there is 800 acres and still no deer.7a and 7f

[blavalet]

I have to Agree with Greymane the finger lakes areas seems to be very strong. In fact I got another dmp for 8j in the mail not long ago. As for the problem your having. how much of the 300 acres is wooded? is there water sources available. in the spring is there cover for fawns? are you planting winter forage or hunting food plots. Are your food plots visible from any road or near any road? These are some of the questions we have to ask ourselves when faced with these kinds of issues. 300 acres of land is a nice spread. but if its all in hay or crops then you have to work with the landowner to do some habitat management. Another thing to consider too is maybe see if the coyotes are heavy and thin a few out.

Just some suggestions and things to think about sounds like your on top of the management aspect of the land. I hope you have a better season this year..

Good Luck

Bill

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[dradwan]

It's about 90% wooded w/ several ponds and steams and some outlying farmland. We've planted a few food plots (none visible from anyone not trespassing) over the last several years, which I assume have helped, so I can only imagine what it'd be like if we didn't.

Coyote spotting is occasional at best. Personally, I think we have a very big problem with poaching in our area. We've reported some of these incidences but the DEC is not staffed well enough to handle.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[deerwrestler]

i see a least two a day in my backyard

[KMIZ]

dradwan, THIS IS KMIZ AND I LIVE IN UPPER NEW YORK. I ALSO DO A LARGE NUMBER OF ACRES OF FOOD PLOTS AND MANY MANY HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS. THOUGH I AM NOT IN YOUR AREA I TOTALLY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME WE ARE HAVING UP HERE. WE THE HUNTERS, WITH THE HELP OF NYS, HAVE GOTTEN GREEDY. WHAT MAN NEEDS TO SHOOT 8 DEER IN A SEASON!!!!!. UNTIL WE ELIMINATE OR AT LEAST REDUCE DRASTICALLY DMP'S, WE WILL NEVER SEE THE HUNTING WE HAD IN THE LATE 90'S. WE CANNOT SHOOT THE NUMBER OF DOES THAT WE ARE AND EXPECT TO SEE DEER. REMEMBER, 1 DOE IS WORTH AT LEAST 100 DEER IN 10 YEARS(MORE IF THE DOES HAVE TWINS OR TRIPLETS) SCARY NUMBER ISN'T IT.