New York hunters have until May 17 to comment on proposed changes to deer hunting regulations – This is CNY

May 17 is deadline to comment on proposed changes to deer hunting regs DEC in March announced several proposed regulation changes designed to get hunters to kill more doe or antlerless deer with the goal of reducing state’s deer population. Michael Fernandez (Michael Fernandez File Photo | For The Patriot-News/PennLive.com/Michael Fernandez File Photo | For The Patriot-News/PennLive.com)

Hunters with opinions on several proposed changes to deer hunting regulations in New York have until May 17, 2026, to share them with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

In March, DEC announced several proposed regulations aimed at getting hunters to kill more doe or antlerless deer to better manage the state’s growing deer population.

DEC’s most controversial proposal is the establishment of an “Earn-a-2-buck” system that would require hunters to kill an antlerless deer before getting a tag to kill a second buck.

Other proposals would increase the number of Deer Management Permits in some Wildlife Management Units, with the potential for individual hunters to receive up to four DMPs.

Details of the proposed regulations, including a comprehensive FAQ, are available on DEC’s website.

DEC is accepting comments on the proposed regulations through May 17. Comments can be submitted to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov (subject: “Antlerless Deer Hunting”) or to: NYSDEC, Attn: Jeremy Hurst, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.