An informal survey of hunters in the North Country shows most hunt deer and most use a rifle or a shotgun.

Most think hunters should be allowed to use motorized transport in the Adirondacks.

Hunters in northern New York support an expansion of crossbow hunting, and a law that would require the DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsmen’s fees, according to a survey sponsored by 48th District Sen. Patty Ritchie of Heuvelton.

They oppose lowering the junior hunting age, and nearly half think the state should allow baiting of bears.

Nearly 1,300 hunters took the survey and many offered their opinions and ideas on hunting and fishing in New York State.

“Hunting and fishing are two favorite pastimes of many New Yorkers,” said Ritchie. “Not only are they great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, hunting and fishing are also major industries in New York State—responsible for generating $1.5 billion every year.”

The survey indicated that 81 percent of respondents use a rifle or shotgun when hunting, and an overwhelming majority, 84 percent, said they typically hunt deer.

Some of the key findings in Senator Ritchie’s survey results included:

• 61 percent of sportsmen supporting the use of crossbows during the regular archery season

• 72 percent of people express opposition for lowering the junior hunting age below the current 12 year-old minimum

• 66 percent support DEC’s adjustment of this year’s hunting calendar in the Northern Zone to avoid dates late in December

• 58 percent support granting sportsmen permission to use motorized access to state land in the Adirondacks

• 64 percent of participants support DEC relaxing its rules on bait fish, such as minnows, to allow people to catch their own bait.

• 80 percent support for a law sponsored by Senator Ritchie that would require the DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsmen’s fees

Ritchie also invited hunters to share their suggestions on how to make the hunting experience more enjoyable as well as their opinions on nuisance permits and doe permits, topics which many were divided on.

The survey results:

(Questions marked with an asterisk (*) were submitted by area sportsmen)

• 1. What do you typically hunt?

Deer 84%

Bear 2%

Duck 5%

Other migratory birds 2%

All of the above 2%

Small game 2%

Other (coyotes, pheasant, grouse) 5%

• 2. What’s your preferred hunting method?

Rifle/shotgun 81%

Bow 12%

Crossbow 1%

All methods 2%

Muzzleloader 1%

Handgun 1%

• 3. Would you like to see NY’s crossbow hunting law (set to expire Dec. 31) extended?

Yes 55%

No 22%

No Opinion 23%

• 4. Would you support the use of crossbows during the regular archery season? *

Yes 61%

No 26%

No opinion 13%

• 5. Should the state allow baiting for bear? *

Yes 49%

No 39%

No opinion 12%

• 6. Do you think the junior hunting age should be lowered, to below the current 12 year old minimum? *

Yes 24%

No 72%

No opinion 3%

• 7. Do you ever bring a relative or friend from outside the region or from another state to join you in hunting Central or Northern NYS? *

Yes 45%

No 55%

• 8. Do you think that DEC should offer a license fee discount for out-of-state relatives to encourage more of them to hunt and fish in NYS? *

Yes 45%

No 45%

No opinion 9%

• 9. What is your opinion of “nuisance permits?” *

The state should issue more nuisance permits 28%

Nuisance permits should be eliminated 37%

No opinion 19%

Keep as is 2%

• 10. The DEC adjusted this year’s hunting calendar in the Northern Zone to avoid dates late in November, in response to hunters’ concerns. Do you support these changes?

Yes 66%

No 34%

• 11. Do you think the state should allow motorized access to state lands in the Adirondacks?*

Yes 58%

No 33%

No opinion 8%

• 12. Do you or another family member participate in the Junior Hunting/Trapping

Mentoring Program?

Yes 80%

No 20%

• 13. Should hunters be permitted to transfer their tags to other family members? *

Yes 77%

No 23%

• 14. I sponsored a law this year to require DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsman’s fees. Would you consider “giving the gift of the outdoors” to a friend or family member by purchasing one of these gift cards, when they become available?

Yes 80%

No 19%

• 15. Is hunting typically one one-day activity, or do you spend more than one day camping nearby?

One day only 28%

Several days at camp, or other 70%

• 16. How would you rate your fishing experience this year?

Excellent 8%

Good 27%

Fair 25%

So-so 19%

Poor 1%

I don’t fish 21%

• 17. Should DEC relax its rules on bait fish, like minnows, so that you can catch and use your own bait? *

Yes 64%

No 19%

No opinion 17%

• 18. Would you support a move to require sportsmen to purchase licenses and stamps online?

Yes 34%

No 55%

No opinion 11%

To read comments shared by sportsmen, visit the following links:

Nuisance permits: http://www.scribd.com/doc/104184991

Doe Permits: http://www.scribd.com/doc/104187621

Other ideas: http://www.scribd.com/doc/104187576