Albany — In a report to the state legislature, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the results of the fifth year of the pilot program that allows mentored 12- and 13-year-old hunters to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow.

The law – passed in 2021 and currently extended through 2028 – requires DEC to analyze results of the pilot program each year and report its findings back to the legislature. Accordingly, DEC has been tracking participation, satisfaction, deer harvest, and safety compliance in the pilot program, and recently submitted a report to the legislature sharing its findings from the 2025-26 hunting season and recommendations for future actions.

During Fall of 2025, more than 12,500 12- and 13-year-old hunters were eligible to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow. More than 2,300 deer harvest reports were submitted from these hunters. A post-hunting-season survey conducted by DEC indicated that 90% of youth hunters and 94% of their adult mentors were moderately or greatly satisfied with their youth big game hunting experience. Additionally, no hunting-related shooting incidents, violations, or license revocations involving 12- and 13-year-old hunters were reported or occurred during either of the first five years of the pilot program. During 2025, 52 of 54 eligible New York counties opted to allow 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt deer.

MORE COVERAGE FROM NEW YORK OUTDOOR NEWS:

Dan Ladd: Gun crime decline not just relative to New York

New York DEC proposes earlier closing of walleye, pike seasons

Juvenile striped bass production still dropping in the Hudson River

NWTF, SUNY ESF Promote Healthy Habitat on Pack Demonstration Forest

Warrensburg, N.Y. — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Forest Properties team recently completed a timber harvest at the Pack Demonstration Forest property in Warren County that began in the fall of 2025. The New York NWTF State Chapter granted $6,500 to help fund the project, which is designed to enhance wildlife habitat, promote regeneration of climate-adapted forests and serve as a demonstration area for landowners and land managers.

There has not been active management on this property since the 1980s. The recent 15-acre harvest is a part of a larger project that will provide opportunities for ESF Forestry students to construct firebreaks at the Spruce Mountain Climate Adaptation Area within Pack Forest.

The now 2,500-acre Charles Lathrop Pack Demonstration Forest is located in Warrensburg and is owned in trust by SUNY ESF. It not only serves as an educational facility, it annual hosts hundreds of children for DEC’s Summer Camps and is open for numerous forms of outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing and hiking.

New York Outdoor News Plans for Sport Shows and Events

Suffern, N.Y. — The third weekend in February will be a busy one indoors for New York outdoors folk, with three sport shows taking place across the state.

New York Outdoor News will have a booth at some of these. Retired NYON Editor Steve Piatt will man the booth at the Empire State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show Feb. 20-22 at the Rockland Community College, in Suffern.

Also taking place that same weekend is the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo at Niagara Falls Convention Center Feb. 19-22. And in Johnstown, Fulton County, the Adirondack Outdoorsman Show takes place Feb. 21-22.

Looking ahead, NYON Editor Dan Ladd will be a seminar speaker at the Adirondack Sportsman’s Dinner, in Wells, Hamilton County, March 7. The main speaker for the event is renowned deer tracker/stalker and Maine Master Guide Randy Flannery.

To register in advance, for free, visit: https://adirondackbiblechapel.org/sportsmans-dinner/.

The Earlville Conservation Club, in Chenango County, recently celebrated the winners of its annal big buck contest, which included (front, left to right) Jack Bohnert, Dave Whorrall and Andrew Fern. Standing, Sam Walrod, Andy Migonis, Billy Orth, Mike Gillette, and Robert Cook. (Photo provided)
Chenango County Sporting Club Honors Big Buck Club Winners

Sherburne, N.Y. — The Earlville Conservation Club, in, Chenango County, held their 51st Annual Big Buck Contest and annual dinner on Jan. 17, at the Sherburne American Legion where they announced the winners of their 2025 Big Buck Contest.

Andrew Fern took first place in the contest with a 9-pointer that measured 118 3⁄8-inhces (net). Dave Whorrall came in second with an 8-pionter that netted 114 inches; and Jack Bohnert won third prize with an 8-pointer that measured 109 4⁄8 inches (net). All three bucks were taken during the regular firearms season.

New York State Big Buck Club measurers Andy Migonis and Jim Dowd measured the antlers. Bruce McGowan, Executive Director of the New York State Conservation Council, and the Council’s Region 7 directory Jason Fleming also spoke.

Along with the annual big buck contest, the club annually holds youth turkey, fishing and deer hunting events.