Cornell “Earn-a-Buck” Program

We will initiate the “Earn-a-Buck” (E-a-B) program, a version of “Quality Deer Management” (QDM), on Cornell University lands that fall within the Integrated Deer Research and Management Study this fall for both archery and firearm seasons (see map).  Cornell lands that fall outside of the management study zone will not be subjected to these new changes.  Hunters may not apply for a Cornell University hunting permit until they have acquired their 2008-2009 DEC Big Game license (available mid-August).  The application is available in a Word document or a pdf, please click on either to obtain a form. Please complete it neatly and enclose a check for $10. If you will be hunting in the E-a-B program, you must complete the participation form also. Once your hunting application has been processed you will receive the hunter’s permit, parking permit, and E-a-B ID tag with plastic holder for first time hunters. If you loose your plastic holder there is a $1.00 charge for replacement.

Introduction

NY State is blessed with a healthy and productive deer herd. White-tailed deer are revered by sportsmen and non-hunters for a variety of reasons. Through the 1900’s, NY’s deer herd rebounded from perhaps 20,000 to over 1,000,000. This remarkable recovery is due to wise management and improved habitat conditions. The total statewide deer harvest has more than doubled over the past 20 years. Last year's (2007) harvest of 220,000 was up 16% from 2006. Unfortunately, in some parts of the state, the deer population has created health and economic concerns. Visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website for more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/.

DEC Bureau of Wildlife is responsible for maintaining deer population levels compatible with the carrying capacity of the habitat and with human interests. Historically, management has been primarily focused on optimizing the reproductive capacity of the state’s deer herd through hunting regulations that restrict the harvest of does, while permitting more liberal harvest of bucks. Consequently, the sex ratio is skewed in favor of does and relatively few bucks live past 1.5 years of age. The number of Deer Management permits (DMP) was significantly lower (statewide) in 2007. Hunters can take up to an additional 2 antlerless deer on properties where Deer Management Assistance Permits (DMAP) are available.

Prime deer habitat in the Southern Tier, consisting of agriculture and forest/brush cover, supports population densities greater than 40 deer per square mile in some locations. Hunting, as under current regulations, may soon no longer be adequate to control deer populations as hunter numbers decrease and more land becomes inaccessible to hunting. In other NE states with similar histories, the explosive growth of the deer herd has resulted in unstable deer herds and significant damage to habitat and forest health.

Situation on Cornell University lands

Increasing interactions between deer and various properties on and around Cornell University lands have resulted in the need to evaluate and implement a deer research and management program to reduce negative impacts.  Discussions and actions regarding deer damage management reflect the University's goal to maintain the integrity of Cornell lands, while being cognizant of related neighborhood impacts. The project will be implemented in an effective and cost-efficient manner, for the primary purposes of supporting the research, teaching, and outreach functions of Cornell University.  A critical component of this research is implementation of a deer hunting system that will reduce the overall deer population.  As in most areas of the state, hunting is still the most effective manner by which to control deer populations. Hunting has been, and continues to be, compatible with the philosophy of multiple-use management on Cornell lands.　

For this project, Cornell lands have been divided into two zones: a core campus area and outlying areas adjacent to the core campus (see map).  The primary objective for the core campus zone (1,781 acres) is to reduce deer damage to unique plant collections or research plots, and minimize safety risks associated with deer.  We plan to monitor complaints about deer damage to plants, reported deer-vehicle accidents, and deer abundance.  The goal is to reduce deer associated complaints using fertility control research, fencing, and repellents.  The outlying areas comprise a zone (1,438 acres) that contains agricultural fields, woodlots, and natural areas (see map).  Limited hunting has been allowed on most of these properties for decades.  The primary objective for these areas is to reduce deer damage to agricultural fields and natural areas through the use of controlled hunting on areas with safe shooting zones that meet state discharge regulations.  The focus will be to increase the harvest of female deer and lower the reproductive potential and herd size near campus in areas that can be safely hunted.  Close to campus, archery hunting will be the primary approach.  Where practical, shotgun hunting will be permitted based on input from the Cornell University Police and land managers.  Temporary electric and other fencing designs will also be used to protect research plots during the growing season.

Earn-a-Buck Program on Cornell University lands

The 2008 big game season will be the first year we implement these new hunting regulations, modeled after a program initiated by the Sand County Foundation in Wisconsin. E-a-B has been implemented at Cornell University's Arnot Forest since 1999.  Similar to Quality Deer Management, the goal of E-a-B is to improve the quality of the deer herd, improve the quality of the habitat, and improve the quality of the hunting experience. Through E-a-B we will strive to balance the sex ratio and allow a higher proportion of bucks to reach maturity (e.g., >2.5 years of age).  

2008 Deer hunting regulations for Cornell University lands that fall within the Integrated Deer Research and Management Study: 

1)   Have a valid 2008-2009 DEC Big Game license and a Cornell University hunting permit, application click here.  Do not apply for a Cornell University hunting permit until you have acquired a 2008-2009 DEC Big Game license.  DEC big game licenses are generally available in mid-August.  Applications must be received by Oct. 15.

2)   Sign and return “Earn-a-Buck” Participation Form.

3)   Apply for at least one NYS DEC Antlerless Deer Management Permit for Regions 7H and/or 7R and use it BEFORE being eligible to use DEC DMAP permits (if available from Cornell staff).

4)   Return DMAP permits to check station daily during firearms season. Bow hunters may be issued a permit for the season, but MUST return it prior to firearms season.

5)   For each hunt, sign in and out at the Deer Check Station located on Stevenson Road (between Dodge and Turkey Hill Roads).  Click here for a map of the Sign In/Sign Out & Deer Check Station.  

6)   Record number and type of deer seen daily.  Click here for example of hunter sign-in/sign-out and deer sighting log. 

7)   Stop to have all harvested deer checked at the Deer Check Station.  When unstaffed, take photo with camera and fill out a deer harvest form at the station (see instructions here).

8)   Document the harvest of two female deer BEFORE gaining the privilege to take one legal, antlered deer. Harvest records for female deer are cumulative from season to season.  If no bucks are harvested for several years, buck eligibility can also be cumulative. 

9)   Display Cornell Parking Permit (supplied with hunting permit) on dash of vehicle.

10)   Wear E-a-B ID tag (supplied with permit) at all times while hunting.

11)  Wear a “hunter’s orange” hat and/or vest at all times while deer hunting during firearms seasons in zones where firearms are permitted (Zones F1-F5). Archery only areas (Zones A1-A5) are exempt from this rule. 

12)  Access to state land across Cornell land is denied. If your goal is to hunt state land, use state access.

13)  Only archery equipment will be allowed in archery-only areas (Zones A1-A5) during archery, firearms, and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons.  Archery-only zones are closed to all other types of hunting (e.g., turkey, small game, waterfowl, etc.).

14)  Legal firearms and muzzleloaders may be used in Zones F1-F5 during the firearms and muzzleloader deer seasons, respectively.  Click here for NYSDEC big game legal hunting implements in Tompkins County.  Only deer may be harvested in Zones F1-F5 during the archery, firearms, and muzzleloader deer seasons.  Outside of the deer seasons, Zones F1-F5 will be open for other types of hunting (e.g., turkey, small game, waterfowl, etc.).

15)  No permanent treestands may be used on Cornell University lands.  Screw-in tree steps are also not allowed.  Most current climbing and fixed treestands are acceptable as long as they do not utilize screws that pierce through the layer of tree bark.

16)  There is a chance that radio collared deer may be seen in the hunting zones.  Any deer with a radio collar may not be harvested.  However, ear-tagged deer without radio collars may be harvested.  If a deer with ear tags is harvested, ear tag numbers must be recorded on the deer harvest form at the deer check station.  Click here for an image of deer fitted with ear tags and radio collars.

17)  ATVs are not permitted on Cornell University lands. 

18)  Comply with reasonable requests (e.g. parking, show license/permits, dispose of trash, etc.) of Cornell staff while on the forest.

Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in a warning or immediate termination of hunting privileges, at the discretion of the E-a-B Committee. Blatant disregard for Cornell E-a-B policies will result in permanent loss of hunting privileges on Cornell University lands.