LOCALadk Magazine

Take It, Tag It, Report It: Reporting your harvest is essential for helping biologists manage populations for future hunters and trappers. Carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey need to be filled out immediately aer harvest and are required to be reported within seven days aer harvest. Report your harvest online by calling 1-866-426-3778, or using the HuntFIshNY App. Fur-bearing species—marten, fisher, otter, and bobcat—require a fur-bearer possession tag and you must have the pelt sealed before it is sold, transferred, or mounted. Sealing provides information on the harvest town, county, and Wildlife Management Unit, the date of taking, and the animal's species and sex. Fur-bearer possession tags can be downloaded from the DEC website. Coexisting with Other Forms of Recreation: Recreationists have a responsibility to keep each other safe during hunting seasons. Recreationists are advised to dress in bright colors such as hunter orange, put bright colors and bells on pets and equipment like backpacks and walking sticks, and keep pets leashed to discourage roaming. Horseback riders should consider use of hunter orange or other bright colors to make themselves and their horses visible. Visit DEC's website for more safety tips before heading into the woods this hunting and trapping season. Hunters should wear blaze orange or pink and should follow the cardinal rules of hunting safety, including always being sure of your target and what is in front and behind it. Education Is a Top Priority: An education course and license are required for anyone 12 and older. Certificates from all other states are valid in New York. Education courses are activity-specific: trapper education for trapping, hunter education for hunting with firearms, and hunter and bowhunter education for bow hunting. Some species, like muskrats, are a great introduction to trapping for beginners. Muskrats are easy to trap with little guidance and can help build confidence in a new learner, while trapping beaver, otter, coyote, and fox requires more guidance and experience. Likewise, small game hunting for squirrels and rabbits provides great opportunity for mentoring new hunters and good table fare to share. ere are many ways youth can get involved in hunting and trapping. Trapping mentor programs for kids ages 11 and through NYSTA (New York State Trappers Association) connect children with experienced trappers. Any licensed hunter or trapper can be a mentor for a child, though a DEC permission form is required if the licensed hunter or trapper is not that child's legal guardian. Young hunters can also participate in 4-H shooting sports programs and youth pheasant hunts sponsored by many clubs. To learn more about hunting and trapping in New York State, visit the DEC Hunting and Trapping webpage. • Wear hunter orange to be seen by other hunters. • Share your location and plan with a trusted friend or family member. • When using firearms, follow the 10 commandments of firearm safety. • Wear a full-body harness, and remain connected when in a tree stand. • Avoid areas with high waters or thin ice. • Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) on all watercra. • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling animals. • Bring extra layers and keep yourself warm and dry. • Only hunt and trap during designated seasons, otherwise it is considered poaching (an illegal offense). • Avoid trapping close to roads, trails, and other high-use areas to reduce the potential that your traps are found by people or non-target animals. Follow trapping Best Management Practices. Don't Have an "Oh Deer" Moment: Hunt and Trap Safely: It is vital that hunters and trappers of all ages and experience levels follow safety guidelines. Whether you are new to the activity or have been doing it for years, take time to review these guidelines before going afield: LOCALadk 5

• Cover