The NYS DEC has recently submitted a regulatory proposal to modify the muzzleloading season for deer in the Northern Zone and expand the area with antler point restrictions for deer hunting in southeastern New York.

Specifically, the department proposes to amend 6 NYCRR section 1.22 (Muzzleloading firearm deer season) to open wildlife management unit (WMU) 5A and close WMU 5J for either-sex deer harvest during the late muzzleloading season. The department also proposes to amend 6 NYCRR section 1.27 (Alternative deer harvest strategies) to include WMUs 3A, 4G, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4W, and 4X in the list of units where the minimum antler requirement is at least one antler with at least 3 points.

To read the text of the regulatory proposal, the explanatory regulatory impact statement, and for an email link and address to provide comments on the proposed changes, please see http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#Part1Sect22Sect27.

Public comment on the proposal will be accepted through May 18, 2009.  Comments should be submitted through the email or mail address provided in the link above.