Using crossbows for hunting big game are among the new regulations in effect for hunters and trappers for the 2011-2012 hunting seasons.

Crossbows may now be used for hunting big game (deer and bear) during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons, and all late muzzleloading seasons. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html for more information.

Recent legislation lowered the minimum age for youth hunters to purchase a Junior Bowhunting license for big game hunting from 14 to 12 years of age. See the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program page at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html for details.

There will be no bear hunting in Wildlife Management Unit 6A. In St. Lawrence County, that is roughly the area north of US Rt. 11.

More detail for each of these regulation changes is available in the 2011-2012 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html.

Anglers should be aware that although the majority of fishing regulations have not changed from 2010-2011, significant changes have been made to the regulations for use and transportation of baitfish. Transportation corridors through which uncertified baitfish can be transported in motor vehicles have been established for Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and adjoining waters, as well as the Hudson River. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html.

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 2011 varies by unit depending on the management objective, but overall DEC intends to issue approximately 10 percent more DMPs than in 2010. DMPs are not authorized in the Adirondack and Tug Hill units. 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. 15, through close of business Oct. 1. 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 October 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.

The latest updates on New York’s fish and wildlife can be easily accessed by subscribing to Field Notes, a free online e-mail list, at www.dec.ny.gov/about/63801.html.