The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) unveiled new hunting regulations that will increase opportunities for junior hunters to take bears, reduce antlerless harvests in North Country management units, and clarify when special season tags may be used by bow and muzzleloader hunters.

The new bear hunting regulation now includes the taking of bears in the youth firearms hunt over Columbus Day weekend that was previously a deer-only event.

Deer populations in WMUs 6F and 6J, which include parts of the towns of Hopkinton, Parishville, Pierrepont, Fine and Tupper Lake, have been declining, so harvest of antlerless deer is now prohibited during the early muzzleloader season in these units.

Winter weather conditions are a primary driver of deer population in the northern part of the state, and the winters of 2013 and 2014 were especially harsh. Coupled with mild conditions this past winter, reducing the harvest of antlerless deer should prevent further population decline and stimulate growth. The DEC expects this change to be temporary.

The final change is a technical correction to clarify that hunters who purchase both the bow and muzzleloader license privileges may use the bow/muzzleloader either-sex and bow/muzzleloader antlerless-only deer tags in either season or both in one of the seasons with the appropriate implement.

This has always been DEC's intent, but ambiguity in the previous wording of the regulation could have led to confusion.

Hunters who purchase just one of the special season privileges are still only allowed to use the bow/muzzleloader tag during that particular special season.

“We rely on hunters to help us meet our science-based population management goals, and these new regulations will help us explore alternative season structures that will advance improved population management,” said Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The youth hunt has been very popular with families across the state, and we’re pleased to offer this expanded opportunity for junior hunters.”