Hunting And Outdoor Sports
DEC urges safety as New Yorkers head into hunting season
DEC urges safety as New Yorkers head into hunting season
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍New York, USA
With hunting season in full swing, New Yorks environmental officials are reminding everyone heading into the woods hunters and hikers alike to stay alert and safe. The states regular deer season began on October 25 in the Northern Zone and runs through December 7. In the Southern Zone, bowhunting is currently open and wraps up on November 14, with the regular big game season set to start on November 15. Safety remains paramount, whether youre hunting or hiking. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton highlighted that nearly 600,000 New Yorkers participate in hunting each year, noting it as a safe, ecologically important wildlife population management tool. She encouraged all outdoor users including hikers and mountain bikers to be mindful of their surroundings and to respect others in the woods, indicating that safety relies on personal awareness and consideration for others. Thanks to extensive safety education efforts, hunting-related incidents are at record lows in New York. Nonetheless, hunters are still urged to adhere to essential safety protocols. These include treating firearms as if they are loaded at all times, controlling the muzzle direction, knowing ones target and what lies behind it, keeping fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot, and wearing proper safety gear such as hunter orange or pink clothing. Tree stand safety is another pressing concern, as injuries from falls can lead to serious accidents. Officials recommend always using a full-body fall arrest system (FAS) from the moment you leave the ground until you return. A proper FAS setup includes a harness, tether strap, tree strap, lifeline, and suspension relief strap. Additionally, DEC recommends that hunters carefully inspect their equipment, select healthy trees for climbing, and refrain from carrying gear while ascending. Instead, they should utilize a haul line to raise and lower unloaded firearms. To promote respectful sharing of the woods, the DEC encourages both hunters and non-hunters to maintain awareness of their respective outdoor activities and avoid popular trails during peak hunting times. Hunters should also scout locations with consideration for other outdoor enthusiasts, avoiding crowded areas to ensure everyone can enjoy their activities safely. In response to recent food insecurity issues, with millions of New Yorkers facing potential cuts to SNAP benefits, the DEC has initiated a campaign urging hunters to donate deer to help stock local food banks. Through a partnership with Feeding New York State, hunters can drop off legally harvested and tagged deer at participating processors, with the cost of processing covered. The donated meat is then distributed directly to those in need. The DEC is also promoting its Love Our New York Lands campaign, which emphasizes responsible usage of public spaces from the Adirondacks to various Wildlife Management Areas. This campaign urges visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles and to recreate safely while enjoying the states natural beauty. For further information regarding deer donation sites and safety tips, individuals can visit feedingnys.org/hunters or the official DEC website. As hunting season progresses, it remains vital for all outdoors enthusiasts to prioritize safety and awareness.