About Adirondack Explorer

The Adirondack Explorer is a nonprofit magazine covering the Adirondack Park's environment, recreation and communities.

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  1. Jeff Calderone says

    I have to agree with Dan, these hunters are not new and are seeing fewer deer in area’s known to have them. I think the canopy cover has a very big effect on food availability making many area’s poor habitat for deer. Falling tree’s have limited effect on opening up habitat for deer. While coyotes do impact newborns I think the biggest issue is poor habitat.

    Controlled burns would help but forever wild restricts this making the woods devoid of many animals. Such a shame the DEC can not manage this land better. Great for hiking but ask the hikers how many animals they see, usually is it very little if any.

  2. Dr. Michael Tveraas says

    I have been hunting Essex County NY for some 35 years. Without a doubt some years are better than others due to many factors. What hunters loose sight of is that the number one cause of Deer mortality is HUNTING!
    If you keep hunting the same area the same way year after year, you will become less effective over time. I have no difficulty getting a rack buck each season I hunt in NY, but I also hunt a different area each year as my tireless pre-season scouting dictates. It is also an indisputable fact that the coyote (Predator) populations will reflect the deer (Prey) populations. I am a Quality Deer Manager on ranches in 6 western states. The ranches with the most deer have the most coyotes. I can kill 4 coyotes a day on my south Texas ranch and not make a dent in their population. No matter the number of predators I will still see a dozen 140 to 160 class bucks a day on my 5000 acre ranch. My exhaustive studies in No. Hudson NY has shown me the same remote scrape lines and rub lines are established every year. The deer are there but they are spotty in the North Country.
    The hunters challenge is to find where they are that day. Its not shooting deer like on my QDM ranches. In the Adirondacks, its hunting deer! Thats the pursuit of game in its natural environment.

  3. Mario Frascarella says

    Great insight. I am writing this response 10/25/16 and just got back from a weekend hunt in the adk. Will be heading back up next week and will be a little more aggressive in my pursuit. I was afraid to move around because (just like you guys have outlined) it seems that now a days its all abou8t get to your spot and just sit there. I have been afraid to move around, well, because I am not good woodsman. Regardless, I must hunt and not sit. There is a difference and I am just going to have to figure it out.

  4. Matthew T. says

    I am new to hunting (3 years) and last season hunted in the Santa Clara Easement Lands. I saw sign but not any bucks. Still hunting is not an easy feat. I walked miles in full camo, scent control managed, etc… This season I have sat in a stand in Franklin County, where I am buying 65 acres. Current owner let’s me hunt it. Little sign there, but the neighbors have culled their bucks because they know the land well. I feel that not allowing does to be taken hurts the herd more than helps. If you have an abundance of does, there is only so many places they can survive due to food availability. I believe this increases winter die off due to starvation and too much competition for available food. Make doe tags available and I feel the herd will grow faster. Just my two cents.

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