Two deer citizen task forces have recommend increasing deer populations in Wildlife Management Units (WMU) 4P and 4W, which include portions of Delaware, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties, state Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Gene Kelly announced Monday in a media release.
"Both task forces did an excellent job and are to be commended for their efforts," Kelly said. "Members of the task forces had to weigh a number of competing interests and attempt to come up with fair compromises, balancing the viability of the region's deer population, the legitimate interests of the hunting community, the long-term health of wildlife habitat and the human use of the landscape."
The group WMU 4P, which includes portions of the towns of Walton, Hamden, Colchester, Andes, Bovina, Middletown, Stamford and Roxbury in Delaware County, and a small portion of southern Schoharie County, could not reach consensus, with some members wanting a 10 percent and some a 15 percent increase in the current population. A DEC biologist adopted a 10 percent increase.
The group WMU 4W, which includes portions of the towns of Walton, Colchester, Andes, Middletown, Tompkins and the entire town of Hancock in Delaware County, as well as small portions of western Ulster and Sullivan counties, recommended a 15 percent increase.
The DEC manages the deer population in a specific WMU primarily through the use of deer management permits.
They are distributed through an instant lottery system and are valid for taking antlerless deer only in a specific WMU. By controlling the number of permits issued, the DEC can control the number of female deer removed from the population by hunting. This, in turn, influences the number of females that remain to produce young in the following year.
The two citizen task forces received input from numerous citizens with an interest in local deer populations. Representation on the task forces included hunters, farmers, forest property owners, professional ecologists, resource-based businesses, law enforcement and motorists.
Citizen task forces were first formed in 1990 to actively involve the public in DEC decisions on deer population levels.
Local News
Task forces recommend increasing deer population
- Local News
-
-
State investigation seeks missing Bassett Rx pads
The state is investigating the possible theft of blank prescription pads from Bassett Medical Center, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed Monday.
-
Classes resume after threats at schools
School was opened on schedule at two area schools where Internet threats caused lockdowns Friday afternoon, two superintendents said Monday as the investigations continued.
-
Survey: Town residents cool to merger
More than half of Oneonta town residents responding to a survey oppose the idea of a merger with the city of Oneonta, the study summary said.
But a majority said "yes" to a partnership with the city to protect the reservoir and quality of drinking water. Two-thirds oppose drilling for natural gas, according to responses, the survey reported, and a majority supports commercial and industrial development in the town.
-
Lawmakers: Farm bill has 'devastating' mandates
-
Correction
-
Copes Corner Park gets new lease on life
The job description for town supervisor doesn't normally include mowing grass, but that's what Charlie Eckelmann found himself doing the other day over at Copes Corner Park in the hamlet of Gilbertsville.
-
School budget votes held today statewide|
Voters across the state go to the polls today to decide the fate of their local school budgets. In many cases, the selection of board of education candidates and propositions are on the ballot.
-
Blodgett plan review to continue at meeting
The Oneonta Planning Commission on Wednesday will continue its review of environmental impact documents submitted as part of a site plan application for a proposed student apartment complex on Blodgett Drive.
-
Area life coach wins state recognition
Heidi Friedman, a local life coach, has been awarded a statewide honor by The Arc, a 60-year-old national organization, and ANCOR, an associated organization.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Fill each day, SUCO grads told
Two speakers at the State University College at Oneonta asked audiences to push the ``pause button'' on their lives Saturday.
-
Community comes together to build playground
The quote "If you build it, he will come" from the 1989 film "Field of Dreams" is often slightly altered to "If you build it, they will come."
-
Police to patrol schools after threats
Police will be present at public schools in Delhi and Walton today as a precaution in the aftermath of last week's online threats, school officials said Sunday.
-
Ramsaran remains in jail
Ganesh Ramsaran, accused of murdering his wife, remained in Chenango County jail Sunday on bail, authorities said.
-
Library, airport on council agenda
The Oneonta Common Council will consider the future of the Huntington Memorial Library and of the municipal airport, among other business, during a meeting Tuesday night.
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
-
Area medic recalls Afghan service
Today is Armed Forces Day, a day when the nation honors the contributions that military service members make toward ensuring its security.
-
Ramsaran faces murder charge
More than five months after his wife, Jennifer, mysteriously vanished, Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran of New Berlin was jailed Friday after he was charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death.
-
Two schools lock down after threats
Threats at Delaware Academy and Walton Central schools Friday afternoon resulted in safety measures being taken. No incidents occurred, officials said, but the investigations are continuing.
-
Country Junction enjoys scent of success
Walking into Country Junction gift shop, customers are greeted with the scents and scenes of country life. Handmade wooden signs with down-home sayings are hung along the walls, and gingham cloth covers the tables.
-
Otsego Relay for Life marks 15 years* (corrected)
Progress seemed to be the theme of the 15th annual Cooperstown/Otsego County Relay For Life as events kicked off with an opening ceremony Friday night.
-
Ommegang to host bird-watching event
COOPERSTOWN -- Birdwatchers will be bonding over brunch and beer on June 2 at Brewery Ommegang.
-
State investigation seeks missing Bassett Rx pads



