Deer Harvest Increased in 2016
Preliminary Numbers Available Now, More to Come as DEC Upgrades the Deer Harvest System
Preliminary harvest estimates indicate that New York hunters took approximately 214,000 deer in 2016, up about 5% from 2015. Hunters took an estimated 109,000 adult bucks (10% increase from 2015) and 105,000 antlerless deer (1.5% increase from 2015). These preliminary numbers are consistent with patterns of hunter reports during the seasons and biologists’ expectations for the harvest.
We are diligently working to generate final harvest estimates, with associated summaries by season and Wildlife Management Unit. However, progress has been slowed as we are upgrading the harvest calculation system. We anticipate that this transition will speed our analysis in future years, but we are investing substantial time now to ensure that the harvest reports submitted by hunters and biological check data collected by DEC staff are being recorded properly, and that the calculation programs are performing correctly.
We are optimistic that final harvest numbers will be available later this month. In the meantime, reports of deer and bear harvests from prior years are available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.
