Regular season firearms hunting for deer got underway in a large portion of New York state on Saturday. The area is made up of most of the state outside of the Adirondacks.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says Operation Safe Harvest will be in effect. The agency is urging all hunters to follow the state's hunting laws and safety guidelines.
“New York is fortunate to have a large population of hunters and trappers who abide by the state’s hunting laws and respect their fellow hunters and others enjoying the outdoors,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC’s ECOs will be out in force this season to ensure compliance, engage with new and experienced hunters and continue their important work promoting public safety in our communities and protecting our natural resources.”
The firearms hunting season runs through Dec. 11.
Hunting typically stirs the deer population and the DMV is warning drivers to be extra cautious this time of year as more deer will be present on and around roadways.
October through December are the peak months for animal crashes. Last year, AAA says there were more than 34,000 animal-related crashes.
AAA offers the following tips for avoiding or mitigating deer crashes:
- Scan the shoulders of the road in front of you. Deer may dash out from the shoulder or wooded areas adjacent to the road. They often travel in herds
- Follow the speed limit. Lower speed will give you more time to respond to unexpected wildlife movements
- If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane. Swerving sharply to avoid an animal can often cause a more serious crash
Here are the top 10 counties in New York for animal crashes in 2021:
- Suffolk (1,367)
- Monroe (1,358)
- Orange (1,356)
- Oneida (1,269)
- St. Lawrence (1,260)
- Jefferson (1,217)
- Ontario (1,196)
- Erie (1,008)
- Onondaga (972)
- Livingston (929)