Deer Management Permits, Hunting, <b>Fishing</b>, Trapping Licenses will be Available

August 8, 2012 Updated Aug 8, 2012 at 11:35 AM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WBNG Binghamton) -- The 2012-13 hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits may be purchased beginning Monday, August 13, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced in a news release Wednesday.

"Hunting, trapping and fishing opportunities in New York are fantastic and DEC is committed to helping provide outdoor enthusiasts with numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy the beauty of our state throughout the year," Commissioner Martens said. "DEC continually works to make improvements to better serve the public and protect our natural resources. Recently, we adopted a new deer management plan, we are developing statewide management plans for black bear and furbearers, and we continue our effort to build and upgrade boat launches."

According to the news release:

Licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC's 1,500 license sales outlets statewide. Sporting licenses can also be ordered by telephone or by visiting the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html. The 2012-13 sporting licenses are valid beginning October 1, 2012. The new Hunting & Trapping and Freshwater Fishing regulation guides are available at all license issuing outlets as well as from the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov.

DEC's Automated Licensing System is New York State's computerized system for issuing sporting licenses and tracking license sales and revenues. DECALS may also be used for donations to the Habitat Access Stamp Program, Venison Donation Coalition, Conservation Fund and the Trail Maintenance Program. DEC continues to improve and enhance DECALS to better meet the needs of sportsmen and women. For questions regarding license purchases, please call DECALS Call Center at (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the Call Center are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday from August 13 to October 13, 2012. Regular weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will resume on October 15, 2012.

License buyers should have the following items ready when applying: complete name and address information, customer ID number if you have it, proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number with a valid NYS address to qualify for a resident license), and, if purchasing by phone or internet, credit card and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to provide proof of hunting education certification or a copy of a previous license, or this information must already be contained in their DECALS file.

Sales of all sporting licenses are deposited into the Conservation Fund which is used for the management of New York's fish and wildlife populations and for protection and management of wildlife habitat.

New Regulations for 2012-2013

Hunters should be aware of several new laws and regulations in effect for 2012-13:

• The Southern Zone bowhunting season and the regular season in Westchester County (bowhunting only) begin on October 1.
• A late bowhunting season will run concurrent with the late muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone.
• The Northern Zone regular season will now begin on the 2nd Saturday after Columbus Day each year (October 20, 2012 this season).
• Deer Management Permits (DMPs, "doe tags") may be used in all seasons in the Northern Zone. DMPs may only be used in the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) for which they are issued.
• Mandatory antler restrictions (3 points on one side minimum) are now in effect in WMUs 3A, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, and 4W during all seasons for all hunters 17 years and older.
• All of Suffolk County will be open for the special January firearms season, subject to local discharge ordinances.
• A Deer Management Focus Area in central Tompkins County will intensify use of hunting to assist communities in the Ithaca area with the burden of overabundant deer populations.
• Bear hunting seasons will run concurrently with the newly adjusted deer seasons.
• New legislation now allows use of rifles for big game hunting in Cayuga County.

More detail for each of these regulation changes is available in the 2012-2013 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html).

Anglers should be aware that while the majority of fishing regulations have not changed, some changes were made for the 2012-13 season. Some of these changes were made on popular fishing waters such as Lake Erie, the Upper Niagara River, the Salmon River, Great Lakes tributaries and Oneida Lake. Anglers are advised to review the 2012-13 Fishing Regulations Guide (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html) to determine if regulations changes have occurred on waters they intend to fish.

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be available at all license issuing outlets and by phone, internet or mail, from August 13, 2012 through close of business October 1, 2012. DMPs are issued through a random selection process at the point of sale, and customers who are selected for DMPs will receive their permits immediately. Chances of selection (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html) in each WMU are available at License Issuing Agent locations, or on the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period - hunters do not need to rush to apply for a DMP on the first day of sale.

If a significant number of DMPs are still available in a WMU after October 1, leftover DMP sales will commence on November 1, 2012 and will continue on a first-come/first-serve basis until the end of the hunting season or until all DMPs have been issued in the WMU. Additionally, Bonus DMPs will be available in the bowhunting-only WMUs 3S, 4J, and 8C and in WMUs 1C, 9A and possible others. For information about Bonus DMPs see http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html.

The target DMP allocation for 2012 varies by unit depending on the management objective, but overall DEC intends to issue about 10 to12 percent more DMPs than in 2011. In addition to the Adirondack and Tug Hill units where DMPs are not authorized, WMUs 3A, 4L, 4U, 4Z and 6A will have no DMPs in 2012. Hunters are reminded that DMPs are only valid for antlerless deer in the WMU specified on the permit.

Be a Mentor to a New Hunter or Trapper

Adult hunters and trappers are encouraged to pass along their traditions and become a mentor for a junior hunter or trapper. The junior hunter and trapper mentoring program allows 14 and 15 year olds to hunt big game with a firearm and 12 to 15 year olds to hunt big game with a bow while accompanied and supervised by an experienced adult hunter.
Unlicensed youth less than 12 years of age may also accompany and assist a licensed and experienced adult trapper. More details about these opportunities are available in this year's Hunting and Trapping Laws and Regulations Guide or Junior Hunter Mentoring Program webpage at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html.

Due to pending legislation, it is unknown if the youth hunt (firearms) for deer, tentatively scheduled over Columbus Day weekend, will occur. If legislation is passed for the youth hunt, DEC will publicize this via news release and on the website.

Anglers are encouraged to "Take the Pledge" and help grow the sport of fishing in New York State by taking someone new fishing this year. More than 11,000 New York anglers have participated in this joint program of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Department since its inception in 2006. Anglers interested in Taking the Pledge can do so on DEC's fishing page at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html.

The I FISH NY Guide to Freshwater Fishing in New York State features a map/brochure and provides information on over 320 lakes and ponds and 110 rivers and streams recommended by DEC Fisheries staff across the state. The map can be requested by contacting fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us (NY FISHING MAP in the subject line). New for 2012 are the interactive maps of public fishing waters and boat launch sites which can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/42978.html. Additional fishing information can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7832.html.

Contribute Via Habitat Stamps, Trail Supporter Patch, or Donation Directly to Support the Conservation Fund or the Venison Donation Program

DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp and/or a Trail Supporter Patch. These stamps and patches help support DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation and maintain non-motorized trails. Buying a $5 stamp or patch or donating directly to the Conservation Fund is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage and enhance outdoor recreation in New York State. Additionally, anyone - not just hunters and anglers - can help feed the hungry by contributing to the Venison Donation Program at all license issuing outlets. Individuals should inform the license sales agent that they want to make a donation of $1 or more to support the program. Since 1999, the Venison Donation Coalition has paid for the processing of more than 330 tons of highly nutritious venison, the equivalent of 2.8 million meals served. For more information about the program, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8351.html.

Participate in Citizen Science to Benefit Wildlife Management

Each year, thousands of hunters, trappers and anglers help DEC monitor wildlife populations by recording their wildlife observations while afield. To learn about how you can participate in the Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log, Bowhunter Sighting Log, Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey and other citizen science programs, please see Citizen Science: Wildlife Observation Data Collection (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html).

The latest updates on New York's fish and wildlife can be easily accessed on the Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources E-mail News (http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/63801.html), a free online e-mail list.

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New <b>fishing</b> and hunting pamphlets require study

Two new pamphlets require angler and hunter study. The new Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet became effective May 1, and will continue to be the angling guide through April 30, 2013.

Columbia River Sockeye:

A healthy forecast of sockeye bound for the upper Columbia River is expected to provide a number of sockeye angling opportunities in the Columbia River upstream of Pasco.

The sockeye forecast is interesting. The season dates vary, but from Priest Rapids Dam up to Chief Joseph Dam the minimum size is 12 inches with a limit of six chinook and six sockeye. Up to three adult chinook may be retained of which only one may be a wild adult chinook.

The season dates begin on July 1 and continues through Oct. 15, but the dates vary on different sections of the river, so consult the pamphlet for the section you wish to fish. From July 1 through Aug. 31 anglers may fish with two rods if they have purchased a two-pole endorsement. The endorsement cost is $14.80 this year, down from $24.50 last year.

General freshwater rules:

Some state freshwater rules include: Hook and line angling only. Barbed or barbless hooks may be used, and a hook may be single-point, double or treble, but not more than one line with up to three hooks per angler may be used.

Single-point barbless hooks are required in areas designated as fly fishing only or selective gear rules. All fishing gear must be kept in immediate control and may not be left unattended while fishing.

Rod holders may be used, but the rod must be easily removed without delay; rod may be left in holder while playing the fish.

A club or dip net may be used to assist landing a legal fish taken by legal gear. A gaff hook may not be used.

It's unlawful to possess a fish taken from freshwater that was not hooked inside the mouth or on the head. The head is defined as any portion forward of the rear margin of the gill plate.

This is a generous rule. Many states require the fish to be caught with the hook in the mouth.

Where use of bait is prohibited or where lures or flies are used voluntarily, game fish may be caught and released until the daily limit is retained. If any fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so.

It is unlawful to chum or broadcast any substance to attract game fish. However, this rule has exceptions, such as Banks Lake where chumming is permitted.

Hunting pamphlet

The 2012 Washington Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet is now available and ready for study. This pamphlet is effective from April 1 through March 31 of next year.

Hunters first need to realize the deadline to submit special permit applications is May 18, just one week from tomorrow.  These applications can be submitted as an individual or as a group. I have been using the Fish and Wildlife's website to apply for our group of four hunt partners during the past several years. This is an easy and quick procedure.

There are several categories for each species. Including eight separate types of hunts for deer, seven for elk, six for moose four for sheep. The dates of the hunt and number of permits regulate the desire to apply to a specific area.

The quality deer hunts, for example, offer two hunts for Game Management Unit 290, which is designated the desert unit. If drawn, the hunter can shoot any buck.

There are two hunts involved in the modern firearm section. The first takes place from Oct. 27 through Nov. 4 and 17 permits will be awarded. The second is Nov. 17 through 25 and involves five hunts.

My thinking has me hunting my favorite area during the modern firearm general deer season Oct. 13 through 21. If I don't connect, I will hunt whichever desert hunt if drawn.

Another category is titled second deer, with a big change from last year. If drawn, the hunter will need to cough up $68 for the second tag, as opposed to $26. A Fish and Wildlife spokesman relayed the reason for the increase is about making money for the department and payment for a quality hunt or for getting another deer.

This is a shame. Yes, I know the budget has been cut, but these tags are supposedly to help control the deer herds. Too bad these tags couldn't be given to youth for another hunting opportunity.

Other tag increases include moose, bighorn sheep and goat from $122 to $332. It will be interesting to find out if hunters will stay away from these drawings because of the increase in prices.

Acquire both of the new pamphlets. Study them in order to assure you are legal when participating in the sports of hunting and fishing.

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Hunting and <b>fishing</b>

Polarized sunglasses can make a big difference this time of year when trying to locate crappie. They filter out glare and make those fish holding high in the water column and in the shade easier to see.

Last weekend’s Potholes Open Bass Tournament had 121 teams of two. Not everyone caught fish, but the winners, the father-son team of Dennis and Daniel Boyd from Eugene, Ore., had a winning total of 41.18 pounds.

The record for Washington State tiger trout will probably be broken soon, pending official word from the Freshwater Hall of Fame. Fishing for bass on Roses Lake on April 11, Manson, Wash., Kirk Herrin caught a fish weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces. The record is 13.75 pounds.

• Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County is scheduled for redevelopment of the public access site on the northeast shore. The access area will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for repaving, and the boat launch will be closed May 16 for installation of a new floating dock to assist boat launching.

• The “Trippin with the Triploids” derby will be May 12 on Rufus Woods Reservoir. There will be cash and prizes awarded for big fish, and a specially tagged trout could be worth a Jetcraft boat worth more than $40,000. Go to www.bridgeportwa.com for more information.

Omak Lake cutthroat are providing action for fly fishermen throwing leech patterns toward the bank. Sight fishing is most effective for fish up to 24 inches.

The Idaho spring steelhead fishing season closed Monday in most waters. The Little Salmon, from its mouth upstream to the U.S. 95 Bridge at Smokey Boulder Road, remains open until May 15. The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to Oxbow Dam stays open until May 30.

Chinook fishing above Bonneville Dam has been slow, with the bulk of the run yet to arrive. As a result, anglers will be allowed to fish at least through Sunday for hatchery-reared spring chinook on a section of the Columbia River stretching 163 miles upstream from Bonneville Dam.

Three of the top 10 opening-day trout lakes in Washington were Ellen Lake in Ferry County (five fish kept per angler), Warden Lake in Grant County (five fish kept per angler) and Mudgett Lake in Stevens County (4.1 fish kept per angler). There were many other lakes with higher catch rates, though fewer fish were retained. Some of these were Williams and West Medical in Spokane County, Cedar and Waitts in Stevens County, and Warden and Deep in Grant County. The largest fish checked by WDFW in the region on the opener were a 22-inch brown trout at Waitts Lake in Stevens County, a 21.7-inch tiger trout in Fish Lake in Spokane County and a 20-inch brown trout in Clear Lake in Spokane County.

Other eastern Washington opening-day destinations yielding more than three fish per angler were Fish, Clear, Starvation, Park and Diamond. At Fish Lake in Spokane County, most of the take were small tiger trout. Diamond Lake was also loaded with planters, but anglers managed a few large carryovers. Jump-Off Joe was good to a group of family and friends who caught numerous browns in the 18-inch range as well as a lot of smaller rainbow.

At West Medical, trollers and spin-casters did better than the bait dunkers. The largest fish reported were around 17 inches with most smaller. Williams Lake rainbow ran a consistent 13 inches with a few to 16 inches. Loon Lake trollers took a lot of tiger trout and rainbow 17-20 inches, and two friends had good luck trolling for kokanee just out from the launch. They said that fish of varying sizes were holding at about 15 feet. Marshall Lake anglers reported excellent cutthroat fishing.

Ice hasn’t been off Twin Lakes near Inchelium long and it has not been stocked, but anglers are dragging flies and spoons for 15- to 18-inch carryover rainbow and a few brook trout.

Deer Lake anglers are catching a few rainbow to 25 inches. The lake is full of recently planted trout of around 10 inches.

Potholes rainbow are packed in shallow water spawning. Small ones are about 14 inches and the larger ones will go 5 pounds. On Upper Goose Lake in the Columbia Basin, trollers are still putting 15-inch rainbow in the boat by dragging Wedding Rings on the southwest end. Blue Lake in Grant County was spotty on the opener. Most fish were 12-14 inches. Park Lake anglers had only fair success.

Rufus Woods is somewhat slow. One angler reported only two bites all day, but both fish were more than 10 pounds. Others did well casting to rising fish in the morning. Jigs are good.

Rainbow and Spring lakes in the Tucannon system are still good for small rainbow.

Moses Lake bass fishermen are beginning to take both largemouth and smallmouth on tube jigs. Stan Coffin Lake is reported to be fishing well for both bass and crappie in the upper section.

Banks Lake crappie are turning on, and many of them are more than 1½ pounds. Look for cattails along the shore where the water slopes to about 6 feet.

White and green spinnerbaits are taking largemouth in Newman Lake bays where water temperatures have reached 60 degrees. Eloika Lake has given up a number of 2-pound largemouth recently. Fish the edges of emerging pads.

Two Rivers walleye fishing is improving, as is that in the Lind Coulee arm of Potholes Reservoir and in the Crab Creek Channel.

Winchester, Waha and Mann lakes were stocked in April with catchable rainbow trout. Most other area lakes and reservoirs will be stocked before the Memorial Day weekend. Winchester can also provide good yellow perch, bluegill and crappie fishing, while Spring Valley and Moose Creek reservoirs are good spots for trout or bluegill. Mann Lake near Lewiston has some great trout, crappie, and bass fishing, while Elk Creek Reservoir is known for good rainbow and brook trout fishing.

As the weather warms, more boat anglers are trying their luck for kokanee and smallmouth bass on Dworshak Reservoir. Recent reports have the kokanee sizes ranging from 8 to about 10½ inches. The best spot now is in the Reeds Creek area and near the forebay of the dam. Smallmouth bass anglers are concentrating on the lower end of Dworshak.

Idaho Fish and Game’s Take Me Fishing Trailer event will be in Kiwanis Park in Lewiston from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. It’s free, open to everyone and no license is required. Equipment, bait and instruction are provided.

Spring turkey hunting season continues through May. Dana Base, WDFW northeast district wildlife biologist, said turkeys seem to be widely spread at this point. Many large flocks have broken into small groups, typically found in short grass fields near forest edges. In the southeast district of the region, WDFW Wooten Wildlife Area Manager Kari Dingman reports fewer hunters than in years past. Turkey hunters are reminded to file hunting activity and harvest reports by phone or online as soon as possible, unless they plan to hunt turkeys this fall.

Contact Alan Liere at spokesmanliere@yahoo.com

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Most Washington Fees for Hunting and Fishing Increase September 1

OLYMPIA-Starting September 1, the base cost of most Washington hunting and fishing licenses will increase.

This is the first general recreational license fee increase in more than a decade.

The 2011 Legislature approved the new fees to help meet rising costs and a shortfall in revenue for managing hunting, fishing and the fish and wildlife populations that are the focus of those activities.

Not all license fees will increase, and some will decline, including those for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities. New license fee prices are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/license_fees.html.

"The new fees are critically important in maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity and make it possible for the department to fulfill its dual mission of conserving species while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation across the state," said WDFW Director Phil Anderson. "The fees reflect the cost of managing specific fisheries and hunts, and are competitive with fees charged in neighboring states. At the same time, we made an effort to encourage broad participation through youth and senior discounts."

The new fees are expected to generate about $8 million annually for activities that support hunting and recreational fishing. Recreational license and permit revenue is used to manage fisheries and hunting seasons, produce trout and steelhead for recreational fisheries, enforce regulations, monitor fish and game populations and help maintain wildlife lands.

Revenues from the license fee increase will replace a temporary 10 percent license sale surcharge that expired in June, and will fill a projected deficit in the account that funds fishing and hunting activities. Without the license fee increase, WDFW would have been forced to make major cuts in hunting and fishing seasons and opportunities.

"Fishing and hunting contribute more than $1.4 billion a year to the state's economy, benefitting local communities, small business owners and the people they employ," Anderson said. "Maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity is vital to Washington's economy and quality of life."

Media Contact
David Giglio, (360) 902-8128 or Joe Stohr, (360) 902-2650

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