Popular New York Hunting Spot is Now Invitation Only

For those of us that don't hunt you may find it strange to be discussing deer hunting in August but the fact is this time of year is an important planning period.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, white-tail deer season is about 8 weeks away depending on what part of New York you live in. In our region or zone hunters are looking at a start date of October 1, 2024, for early bowhunting. Methods of hunting have different seasons throughout the Fall.

Favorite Hunting Spot in Ulster County New York Changes Policy

Many hunters return to the same areas each year to hunt. They sometimes follow deer year to year before they harvest them allowing them to grow. You can ask just about any hunter about the trophy buck they see each year that always manages to get away.

SEE Also: Upstate Owl Saved Found Near Death by Park Staff

Some Hudson Valley hunters recently received some unwanted news. The Mohonk Preserve which carefully manages its deer population has changed its policy for the upcoming season and some people didn't make the cut.

At mohonkpreserve.org a notice was posted regarding the Mohonk Preserve's Deer Management Program.

Our Deer Management Program is a data-driven program with the central goal being to maintain a sustainable balance in the Preserve’s deer population with the health of the forest. We do this by evaluating deer harvest numbers, hunter observations and effort, and forest vegetation regeneration in each of our management zones. (via mohonkpreserve.org)

 

Mohonk Preserve Switched to an Invitation-Only Hunting Program for 2024

This announcement also included that in 2024 the preserve would be changing to an invitation-only Deer Management Program. This means that to hunt at the preserve you would need to receive an invitation.

Invitations to the program were sent out on July 26th, 2024. In the post, it states if you did not receive an invitation you may not hunt in the preserve this season.

Our partners at the Department of Environmental Conservation support our program changes and will be helping us manage activity on the land. Currently, due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will not be able to respond to questions individually but will aim to address concerns received later in the season. (via mohonkpreserve.org)

The preserve went on to thank all the hunters who had participated in the past and wish them luck in the upcoming season. As you can imagine there are hunters that are disappointed to have not received an invitation.

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