August 11, 2003

Contact: Charles G. Sturcken (718) 595-6600

New York City Announces the Expansion of Deer Hunting in 2003

Bow Hunting Extended to All Hunting Areas

Commissioner Christopher O. Ward of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced today that opportunities for deer hunting on designated City water supply lands will increase significantly in 2003. Bow hunting, introduced on a limited basis for the first time in thirty years last season, will be available this year on all DEP hunting areas in addition to regular gun and muzzleloader hunting.

“Last year’s experimental bow season was an overwhelming success,” said Commissioner Ward. “It was very well-received by hunters and resulted in no additional safety or security concerns for us. As a result of that success, we are pleased to expand bow hunting to all DEP hunting areas this season.”

In 2002, three hunting areas were open for bow hunting to a limited number of hunters who were selected in a random lottery. This season, bow hunting will be permitted on all DEP hunting areas to all hunters with valid 2003 DEP Hunting Tags.

In addition, DEP is pleased to open several new hunting areas. Seventy-two separate areas totaling 31,000 acres in seven counties, will be available, and, of these, nearly 7,000 acres will be opened for the first time. Twenty-two of these sites totaling over 17,500 acres will be open in Delaware County.

“We want to thank the hunting community,” said Commissioner Ward, “for their support and understanding of the City’s land management and security concerns. With the continued participation and assistance of hunters on City water supply lands, I believe we can work together and continue to expand recreational opportunities in the future as committed to in the 1997 Memorandum of Agreement.”

Early bow hunting season will run from October 15 to November 16, and late season from December 10 through December 14. In Westchester County, a State-designated archery-only area, the season runs from November 1 to December 31. These dates are concurrent with the New York State deer hunting seasons for the watershed region. All New York State laws, and additional DEP conditions, apply to hunting activities on City water supply lands.

To apply for a DEP Hunting Tag, hunters must first obtain an Access Permit, and then fill out and submit a Hunting Tag application by U.S. mail. Hunters who returned their 2002 Deer Hunt Surveys by the mail-in date will automatically receive their 2003 Hunting Tag beginning in late September, provided their Access Permits are still valid.

Access Permits may be obtained by submitting an application to DEP through the U.S. mail. Hunting Tag applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications received after September 31 may not be fulfilled in time for opening day of early bow season. Applications for DEP Access Permits and Hunting Tags are available at DEP Land Management Offices, DEP offices in Kingston, Corona and Manhattan, and on the DEP web site at nyc.gov/watershedrecreation, which also contains further contact information.