Two deer found dead in Esopus of EHD

[WEM144]

I’m gonna grab the horns off mine but it’s too gross to get anywhere near it yet. The horns were actually covered in maggots

[greensider]

So that brings another question do the maggots also carry the virus

[gunner]

Last year had 5 dead bucks in esopus were I hunt. Haven,t hit the woods yet . But while jet skiing recently seen 4 floating in the river. Between kinston and esopus.

[WEM144]

So for the Orange County guys whose hunting areas were hit hard last year…..Did you hunt in another county, another area or what did you do?  My area is getting hit hard and don’t think I’ll step foot in the woods where I hunt this year …….

[GrizG]

So for the Orange County guys who’s hunting areas were hit hard last year…..Did you hunt in another county, another area or what did you do?  My area is getting hit hard and don’t think I’ll step foot in the woods where I hunt this year …….

I'm thinking the same thing... After my recent woods walk I have little hope of finding a legal buck, or any deer, and think it would be better to let the survivors breed.

[MUSKRAT]

My friend and I have decided the same , out of respect for the few remaining deer left ,.in my area.,
We shall not hunt them this year , hopefully they can survive and recover from this deadly virus ..
I hope others feel the same ...and don't fill doe tags in these hard hit areas...

[greensider]

Your cameras will tell the story hopefully they recover quickly

[logic]

So for the Orange County guys who’s hunting areas were hit hard last year…..Did you hunt in another county, another area or what did you do?  My area is getting hit hard and don’t think I’ll step foot in the woods where I hunt this year …….

I'm thinking the same thing... After my recent woods walk I have little hope of finding a legal buck, or any deer, and think it would be better to let the survivors breed.
[There were no deer where i hunt last year. Had to go find other arias to hunt. Saw some bucks again but need a year or two to grow. May have to look in other places again this year Good luck./quote]

[greensider]

Had anyone in Orange seen an increase since last season in numbers

[GooseCommander]

As I live in 3J where EHD is rearing its ugly head this year, I was curious to see the harvest numbers for 3M both last year and the last 5 or so years. These numbers are taken from the annual NY DEC White Tailed Harvest Summary (aka the deer take) put out after every hunting season.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html

Year          Buck Take.         Total Take     DMPs Issued.  DMP Success
2020.        2,546                6,013           31,174           10.2%
2019.        3,024.               6,323.          35,807.           8.6%
2018         2,837                6,501           36,385.           9.5%
2017         2,553                6,123           36,031            9.4%
2016         2,880                6,781           30,534           11.6%
2015         2,162                6.014           42,870             8.6%

Avg 15-19 2,691                6,384

Not sure what these numbers mean, but wasn't what I expected as the 2020 buck and total deer take for 3M were not very different from the wmu's previous 5 year historical harvest numbers. Will be interested to see the 2021 harvest numbers.

From reading the Deer Population Objectives, the NY DEC still sees the areas of 3J and 3M (as part of the southwest Hudson region) as needing an additional 25% deer population cut (as per the residing population of humans in the area). Thanks to the pandemic, more and more people are moving out of the city into our areas further reducing wildlife habitat. Reduction of animal numbers will only continue with this human population re-disbursement trend.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7207.html

What does that mean for my hunting this fall? I'll still have mornings/evenings where I will only be able to hunt locally. I enjoy the outdoors much more than just for a harvest so I will be spending time in a tree somewhere in 3J. However, I will hold off on shooting a doe out of the local areas I hunt as I have seen dead deer from EHD. You can bet though that if a 3.5 year old buck walks out in front of me, I will still send an arrow or lead his way.

[ole bleu]

The only thing I can say is Jeremy Hurst is a Cuomo appointment so are those numbers real or is it like our nursing home deaths sorry had to say it

[Yotehntr]

I find those numbers very hard to believe, although not all of orange was effected..Putnam numbers on the other hand, were about half that of normal, which lines up with what was going on with the virus.

Last year, I moved to a different area not effected. Way too depressing for me, hunting in a deer bone yard.

Noticed a good amount of fawns this year, but going to take awhile for herd to rebound. The forests look healthier though.

[striperman]

from wpdh
https://wpdh.com/alarming-number-of-deer-found-dead-near-water-in-hudson-valley/?fbclid=IwAR3hP8H6uHCgneues3hv3rvS2u9hOHQvKw7ApkjouUvzu70uF4B3q5Cjqgs

[walkabout]

when was are first frost last year? hope this crap ends soon..  Probably not related but the gnats are so bad at my house in the evening u cant even stay outside. Ive never had them like this in the 25 years ive been here.  They bite also unlike other gnats that just aggravate you.

[MUSKRAT]

I agree Ron , the gnats are thick here also . When I mow my fields , they swarm around the mower .
They will leave a nasty welt on your neck too ..

For those who have been calling the dec and reporting dead deer - good job ..I feel we have to do something, if that's all we can do ..  Those not satisfied with dec response can also call our
New governor....  Just leave a message ... she's from upstate, and might listen ..
If you feel the dec  should limit deer management permits , in these EHD hard hit areas , let her know ! 

I know there are very few deer left by me in 3J .. it's sad

Kathy Hochul
1-518-474-8390.  Ext 3
1-518-474-1513.  Fax