Team NYB will be joining the Hunter League at Extreme Archery set to begin on September 3rd. The Hunter League will be held on Fridays for 6 weeks and feature various animal targets.

We're looking forward to participating in the league and sharpening our skills for the upcoming season. The indoor league is a great way to meet fellow archers and practice shooting under a little bit of pressure!

Here are the details on the Indoor Archery Leagues at Extreme Archery:

Kids League ($70, 8 weeks)
- begins Saturday, September 4th @ 10:00am

300 Target League ($90, 7 weeks)
- begins Wednesday, September 1st @ 6:30pm

Hunter League ($90, 6 weeks)
- begins Friday, September 3rd @ 6:30pm

Traditional League (TBD)
- call to find out more

To sign up for any of the Indoor Archery Leagues call Extreme Archery at 914-777-7500.

Extreme Archery is located at 801 East Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NY 10543.

This is something new I'm adding to my arsenal of tricks this season to help me set the perfect stand (works for trail cams too)! It's called the Photographer's Ephemeris, a tool designed to help landscape photographers take the perfect picture at sunrise or sunset.

The tool allows you to pick a location, date and time to see exactly where the sun and moon will be. This allows you to follow the path of the sun and moon on any given date and at any given time.

So how does this help the hunter? Simple. It allows the hunter to find a stand location on the map and then see how the sun will rise and set during the hunting season so that the sun is never in the hunter's eyes.

I entered the location of our lease in the program and changed the date to opening day. Where we have our stands situated is in the perfect spot with the sun rising to our right and circling behind us before setting to our left. That means if the deer are out in the hunting plot where we hope to shoot them we will have the sun behind us which will make it much harder for the deer to pick us out of the tree.

This is a great tool I will be playing around with more and more this season as I hang some tree stands over the next few weeks. Below is a video on how it works:

The NYS DEC is proposing changes to regulations that would extend the mandatory reporting period for a harvested deer, bear or wild turkey from 48 hours to 7 days.

Many hunters hunt in remote areas that lack cell phone coverage or internet access or both, and they often stay in those locations for a week or more during the hunting season.

The purpose of these changes is to provide greater flexibility for reporting the harvest of these species, while continuing to mandate those reports to enable the accurate compilation of annual take.

Review the text of the proposed regulation online (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/67621.html) - found under Part 180, Section 180.10 - Game Harvest Reporting at the bottom of the web page. Also find out how to submit comments(http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#part2sec230), which will be accepted through October 4, 2010.

According to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, approximately 566,000 hunters spent over 10 million days afield, and spent a total of $716 million on hunting-related expenditures.

The most popular hunting activities in the state were deer, bear, and turkey hunting, with over 530,000 hunters spending about 8.5 million days in pursuit of these species, and contributing almost $390 million to the state's economy.

Additionally, about 164,000 hunters pursued small game species such as grouse, rabbit, and squirrel, spending 3.8 million days afield and spending over $90 million on hunting-related expenditures.

Vinny sent in this pic of a beautiful 8 pointer that's roaming the woods he hunts. This buck has a great symmetrical rack and the buck in the background doesn't look too shabby either!


Hughie had these two big bucks pass by his trail cam this past weekend and they both look like shooters to me. The countdown begins now, deer season will be here before you know it!

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that the 2010-2011 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may be purchased beginning Monday, Aug. 16, 2010.

Licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC's 1,500 license sales outlets statewide. Sporting licenses can also be ordered by mail or by telephone and via the internet at www.dec.ny.gov (look for the "Purchase a Sporting License" link on the home page). Sporting licenses are valid beginning Oct. 1 - Sept. 30, 2011.

DEC Automated Licensing System

The Department of Environmental Conservation Automated Licensing System (DECALS) is New York State's program for issuing sporting licenses and tracking license sales and revenues. For questions regarding license purchases, please call the DECALS Call Center at (1-866-933-2257). Hours of operation for the Call Center are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday from Aug. 16 - Oct. 16, 2010. Regular weekday hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. will resume on Oct. 18, 2010.

License buyers should have the following items ready when applying: complete name and address information, customer ID number if you have it, proof of residency information (driver's license number or non-driver's ID number to qualify for a resident license), and, if purchasing by phone or internet, credit card and card expiration date. Hunting license purchases require individuals to provide proof of hunting education certification or a copy of a previous license, or this information must already be contained in their DECALS file.

Sales of all sporting licenses are deposited into the Conservation Fund which is used for the management of New York's fish and wildlife populations and for protection and management of wildlife habitat.

New Regulations for 2010-2011

Hunters and trappers should be aware of several new regulations in effect for 2010-2011. Air guns may now be used for hunting small game. Pheasant hunting areas and seasons have been modified. The Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) containment area has been decommissioned, and hunters in that area are no longer required to have their deer checked for CWD. Several trapping regulation changes have been made, including elimination of the requirement of furbearer possession tags and pelt sealing for beaver. More details for each of these changes are available in the 2010-2011 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide (www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html).

Deer Management Permits

DEC issues Deer Management Permits (DMPs), often called "doe tags," to move the population closer toward objective levels in each Wildlife Management Unit (a map of WMU boundaries across the state can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html). The target DMP allocation for 2010 varies by unit, but outside of the Adirondack Park and the Tug Hill Plateau, only WMUs 3A, 4L, 4U, 4Z and 5T will be closed for DMPs in 2010. Applicants are reminded that DMPs are only valid for antlerless deer in the WMU specified on the permit.

DMPs will be available at all license issuing outlets and by phone, internet or mail, from Aug.16, 2010 through close of business Oct. 1, 2010. DMPs are issued through a random selection process at the point of sale, and customers who are selected for DMPs will receive their permits immediately. Chances of selection in each WMU are available at License Issuing Agent locations, at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html, or you may call the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Chances of getting a DMP remain the same throughout the application period, so hunters do not need to rush to apply for a DMP on the first day of sale.

If a significant number of DMPs are still available in a WMU after Oct. 1, leftover DMP sales will commence on Nov. 1 and will continue on a first-come/first-serve basis until the end of the hunting season or until all DMPs have been issued in the WMU. Additionally, bonus DMPs will be available in the bowhunting-only WMUs 3S, 4J, and 8C and in Suffolk County (WMU 1C). For information about bonus DMPs see www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10001.html.

Be a Mentor to a New Hunter or Trapper

Adult hunters and trappers are encouraged to pass along their traditions and become a mentor for a junior hunter or trapper. The junior hunter and trapper mentoring program allows 14- and 15-year-olds to hunt big game with a firearm while accompanied and supervised by an experienced adult hunter. It also allows unlicensed youth less than 12 to accompany and assist a licensed trapper who is at least 18 years of age and has at least three years of trapping experience. More details about these opportunities are available in this year's Hunting and Trapping Laws and Regulations Guide and at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html.

Contribute Via Habitat Stamps, Trail Supporter Patch, or donation directly to support the Conservation Fund or the Venison Donation Program

DEC encourages all outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp and/or a Trail Supporter Patch. These stamps and patches help support the DEC's efforts to conserve habitat and increase public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation and maintain non-motorized trails. Buying a $5 stamp or patch or donating directly to the Conservation Fund is a way to help conserve New York's fabulous wildlife heritage and enhance outdoor recreation in New York State.

Additionally, anyone - not just hunters and anglers - can help feed the hungry by contributing to the Venison Donation Program at all license issuing outlets. Individuals should inform the license sales agent that they want to make a donation of $1 or more to support the program. For more information about the Venison Donation Coalition, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8351.html.

Participate in Citizen Science to Benefit Wildlife Management

Each year, thousands of hunters, trappers, and anglers help DEC monitor wildlife populations by recording their wildlife observations while afield. To learn about how you can participate in the Cooperator Ruffed Grouse Hunting Log, Bowhunter Sighting Log, Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey and other citizen science programs, see www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html.

Catch the latest updates on New York's fish and wildlife by subscribing to Field Notes, a free online e-mail list provided by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. For more information and to subscribe, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/63801.html.

DEC's acclaimed Conservationist magazine brings nature to your front door. For a free, no-obligation issue, call 1-800-678-6399. For more information, or to subscribe to the limited time subscription special of 7 issues for only $12, or 14 issues for just $21, visit the Conservationist's website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/conservationist.html.

Since the last part of June I've gotten only three pictures of this buck. All were at night and none of them were clear enough for me really see what this deer looked like.


This is one of the top three bucks on the hit list for this particular property. He's got great tine length except for his right G3 which is short, but he's an impressive deer nonetheless.


The earliest this buck has shown up is just before 8:30 p.m. If we don't see him early season, I hope we at least catch him chasing does during the rut. Stay with us to see what bucks show up during these final few weeks of summer.

Justin recently sent us this trail cam pic of a nice looking black bear from one of his hunting spots near the Adirondack Mountains. With an abundance of wild apples trees this season Justin and his father set up a camera in hopes of getting some big bucks on film, but when this bear walked by just an hour after they set up the camera they were surprised.

Justin estimates the bear to stand around 32 inches and the DEC says that most mature black bears will reach a height of 30 to 36 inches. This is a great looking black bear and Justin will be setting up a ground blind in the area for an early season hunt come September.

Good luck Justin, let us know how you do!

This season is the first time Team NYB has leased a hunting property and our first attempt at planting food plots. Although our corn is looking weak at best, the bucks on our land make everything alright. Check out this great looking buck with sticker points on his bases and a kicker off his G2, what a deer!


This buck has great width and tine length and should easily score Pope and Young. He's a beautiful 8 pointer that could score in the 130s if he keeps on growing this month.


From the side it's easy to see the length of this buck's G2s and G3s. His G2s look like they're already over 10" in length! It's almost time to start cutting shooting lanes and putting up some tree stands for the fall hunting season which is quickly approaching. Stay with us to see what shows up on our trail cams next!

Canandaigua NY -- The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) continues to sweep across the country and has been extremely successful in New York since officially being launched by the New York State Department Environmental Conservation (DEC) in July of 2007.

Adam Ziccardi a Math/Computer Science teacher from Orchard Park High School (OPHS), located in DEC region 9, has been running an after school archery club for grades 9 - 12 for the last four years. When field trip buses to Gander Mountain were cut from the school budget the kids had nowhere to shoot and no gear whatsoever. The club started selling chocolate bars and Ziccardi, a member of West Falls Conservation Society started soliciting funds from local sportsman's clubs and organizations. The local community responded and donations began to come in with the largest single donation coming from New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB). A check in the amount of $1,000.00 was presented to Ziccardi at Orchard Park High School by NYB Region 9 Director Jim Eichinger.

Ziccardi's archery club raised over $3200.00 for equipment which is the typical cost of a NASP equipment kit. Each kit includes a dozen Genesis bows, 5 Rinehart targets, Easton Arrows, and BCY backstop netting. "Not one penny came from the school district", states Ziccardi. "All participants in the program are required to take a safety course before they can shoot. At the first safety class, there were 34 students with more being added as the class grows in popularity. OPHS Physical Education teacher, Bridget Callahan, has been very important in helping schedule the gym time and has been helping the kids learn proper form."

A Christmas tournament was held last December and in March the entire physical education staff of OPHS was NASP trained and certified. Once staff members saw the equipment and learned of the program, the whole department wanted to get involved. Ziccardi hopes all of OPHS 1400+ students can learn about archery through the NASP program.

When asked of the archery program at school, Ziccardi said "It's all about making the shot that counts. Golf, bowling, basketball, curling, field hockey, and any other sport where the player launches a projectile all have an archery mindset. When a student plays an instrument solo, spells a word to win the Bee, or is faced with public speaking or performing, archery confidence applies there, too. It's about recognizing the timing of getting one chance to put it in the metaphorical 10-ring. That mentality builds confidence, self-esteem, self-respect, and earns respect. These are lifelong skills that can't be easily achieved. We're all still striving to hit that "10-ring". I'm grateful to all the clubs, including New York Bowhunters but especially to West Falls, Conservation Society who've donated time and the finances to get us rolling."

NYB has been a supporter & advocate of the NASP program since its very beginnings. They have purchased over $6,000.00 worth of NASP equipment for use in schools across NYS, helped sponsor a trip to the national tournament for the 2009 NYS Boys and Girls NASP Tournament champions, and helped sponsor the 2010 NYS NASP tournament. At their annual banquet this past April, the NYS NASP tournament champions were presented their awards by Melissa Bailey, NASP Coordinator for the NYSDEC.

NYB President Gary Socola likes what he sees with the progression of the NASP program across the state. Recently he heard from a NASP representative that it is projected within two years that there will be more participants in the NASP program then those playing in little league baseball. "Kids love to shoot bows and arrows, what kid didn't make their own bow and arrow out of baling twine and saplings while growing up in rural New York" Socola stated. "I just don't understand why we can't get the DEC and the New York State Conservation Council behind lowering the age of junior archery hunters, like they did when promoting a reduction in age for the junior big game firearms hunters? NY's junior archers continue to endure the most stringent archery age requirements in the United States all the while the NASP program continues to grow."

New York Bowhunters, Inc. was formed in 1991 to promote bowhunting, educate hunters and non-hunters, and to fight anti-hunting legislation. NYB is currently working to establish a southern zone early archery season which will start annually on October 1st.

NYB can be contacted at P.O. Box 1157, Canandaigua, NY 14424 or by phone at 585-905-0961 or email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com. To learn more about NYB or to become a member, please go to their website at http://www.newyorkbowhunters.com/

It has been an exciting summer watching this buck grow. When we first saw this deer he had wide main beams out past his ears with a few short tines and I was worried he might turn into a wide buck with little tine length.


I think I can now rest assured that this buck will have decent tine length! In these pictures you can actually see two new points starting to grow making this guy a 10 pointer - one of the only 10 pointers I've ever got on trail cam.


When you look at this deer it's interesting to see his G3s looking longer and heavier than his G2s. This buck is definitely a shooter and I sure hope to have some more pictures of him come this fall. Stay tuned to NYBowhunter.com to see what happens!

The 2010-2011 NY Hunting and Trapping Guide is now available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html.

Check out the NYBowhunter.com advertisement on page 29 of this years Hunting and Trapping Guide. We hope this helps spread the word about NYBowhunter.com and brings a few more hunters to the website.

What's really cool about the online Hunting and Trapping Guide is that you can flip through it using the Interactive Viewer. Additionally, you can download specific sections or the entire guide itself! Print copies of the guide will also be available to license holders at all license issuing agents.

This year's guide includes short articles including:

• Managing Habitat on Your Land
• Research on Coyotes' Impact on Deer
• Quality Deer Management on Private Land
• National Archery in the Schools Program - New York
• New Pheasant Plan
• Overabundant Snow Geese
• Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species

Notice, Deer Management Permit (DMP) odds of selection are not printed in this year's guide but will be posted at each license issuing agent and are available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30409.html.

FYI: 2010-2011 sporting licenses and DMPs may be purchased beginning August 16, 2010.

Each year John sends us some great pics of the velvet bucks he'll be pursing during the fall archery season. This season seems to be working out well for John and the bucks in his area are putting on a lot of bone.

This is a nice 8 pointer that has plenty of time left to put on some more mass and tine length. Hopefully spending the summer feeding on various food sources in the area will make this buck a shooter come fall.

If you have any trail cam pics you would like to share with us, please send them to info@nybowhunter.com.

WMU 3S
Area = 431 mi2
Buck Take Objective = None set
2009 Buck Take = 1.4 bucks harvested per mi2
2009 Total Deer Take = 4.1 deer harvested per mi2

WMU 3S encompasses Westchester County only. This unit is characterized as hills and valleys with good quality soils and some limited agricultural and forestry activities in the north, and suburbia to the south. Similar to WMU 3R, access for hunters is mainly limited to private properties, as DEC does not own lands in this unit. Soil conditions, limited agriculture, and suburbia contribute to high deer densities in this unit. The buck take in unit 3S, like 3R, has been very stable over the past twelve years, fluctuating between 1.3 and 1.6 bucks harvested per square mile. Those harvests appear lower than other units because of the issue with limited access to hunting lands in Westchester County, even though many of those lands hold high deer densities. Some additional opportunities have been created in Westchester County through the opening of some Westchester County Park lands. Look for this trend to continue in the future. For now, expect the buck take to continue in the realm of the historic trend, with small annual fluctuations. Resident and non-resident hunters can receive two permits again this year, with bonus either-sex permits available to hunters that take antlerless deer harvested on DMPs to the appropriate DEC checkstation. Look to our web site for check station dates and times in 2010.

Kevin Clarke
Region 3 Deer Biologist

For unit-by-unit forecasts visit the NYS DEC's 2010 Deer Hunting Season Forecasts.

As the dog days of summer roll on Team NYB has been at it hard to try and key in on particular areas we will be hunting this fall. We are always searching for new honey holes to broaden our chances at scoring on the "mack daddy" whitetail.


This area is a great new spot we acquired this season. Man was I stoked when I picked up the trail cam this past week!


We had hundred's of pictures and calculated a total of 10 different bucks in this one location.


These are just a few of the shots that we got.


This time of the year is really key to your fall success. By the beginning of August the bucks really begin to show their true antler size making it the perfect time to pick out those select few shooters. Stay tuned boys there will be a lot more from where this came from!

There's a new look in the archery range at Extreme Archery in Mamaroneck, New York - and it looks good! We recently christened the archery range at Extreme Archery with a giant 12 foot banner to show our support of the new local pro shop.

Now everyone shooting at Extreme Archery's indoor range will know where to go to get all the latest news, watch Team NYB video and read about the latest archery products. Even those passing by on the street outside will be able to see our banner! Hopefully we get a few more local bowhunters on the website to join our community.

If you haven't yet been to Extreme Archery I highly recommend a visit. They have an extremely knowledgeable and friendly sales staff as well as some of the best bow technicians in the archery industry. Extreme Archery is located at 801 East Boston Post Rd in Mamaroneck, NY. For more information call Extreme Archery at (914) 777-7500.