Cornell Campus Lands Earn-a-Buck (EAB)
Deer Hunting Program
News and Updates for 2012:
1) For deer program information, click on our Twitter website: http://twitter.com/#!/CornellDeer
2) We want blood and liver samples again in 2012. Click here for details.
Reports:
2011 Deer Harvest Report
2011 Integrated Deer Research and Management Progress Report
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. 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.
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 implement and evaluate 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 while maintaining these opportunities for future generations of hunters. 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 (map). The primary objective for the core campus zone (1,103 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 (3,797 acres) that contains agricultural fields, woodlots, and natural areas (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 and muzzleloader 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 campus lands
The 2008 big game season was the first year we implemented these new hunting regulations, modeled after programs initiated in New Jersey and Wisconsin. EAB has been implemented at Cornell University's Arnot Forest since 1999. Similar to Quality Deer Management, the goal of EAB is to improve the quality of the deer herd, improve the quality of the habitat, and improve the quality of the hunting experience. Through EAB 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).
Hunters must choose to participate in only one of the four major Cornell deer hunting programs. For example, hunters may no longer sign up for Campus EAB and Plantations Natural Areas hunting programs. The four major hunting programs available for 2011-2012 include Campus EAB, Arnot Forest, Plantations Natural Areas, and Northeast Lands (Zones F1 and F9), with each program requiring their own specialized permit and ID tag.
This change in Cornell deer hunting regulations arose from the actions of deer hunters themselves. During the last few years, a large proportion of the 650+ hunters registered for Cornell hunting programs but never signed in to hunt. As a result, we plan to reduce administrative costs associated with non-participating registrants and confusion among hunting programs. This change will enable us more control over the number and type of hunters for better deer management in the respective hunting programs. This change, however, should not affect the majority of repeat, responsible hunters who are attracted to the type of deer hunting program they choose. Hunters will have to focus on efficiency by getting to know the lands better, which ultimately should provide a better "quality" experience. Denying permit applications remains an option for hunters who register but do not participate in Cornell deer hunting programs. We remind Campus EAB hunters that this program is free, voluntary, and above all, a controlled research experiment that is subject to change.
Campus EAB Maps:
Bow: A1 - A2 - A3 - A4 - A5 - A6 - A7 - A8 - A9 - A10 - A11 - A12 - A13 Bow/Gun: F2 - F3 - F4 - F5 - F6 - F7 - F8 - F11
Bow/Muzzleloader: M1
"Hunting Restricted" zones on each map depict the NYS 500 foot weapon discharge restriction. Hunters may travel within the Hunting Restricted zones, but may not discharge a weapon in these areas. In several cases, the 500 ft restriction has been relaxed to 200 or 300 feet as depicted in the maps.
Hunting Zone Special Restrictions
Zones F6 and F7 are located at the Reynolds Game Farm on NYSDEC lands. Only archery equipment may be used in these zones through November 30 of each year; legal implements may be used thereafter. Zones F6 and F7 are closed to all other types of hunting. Hunters are prohibited from tampering with DEC boundaries and gates and should be aware that DEC staff maintain operations throughout the deer seasons. Pre-season scouting may commence 2 weeks before the start of the archery season. Hunters may not park at the Reynolds Game Farm parking lot or in the driveways off of Dodge Road.
Zone F8 is for weekend (Saturday and Sunday) scouting and hunting only.
Zone A11 falls within the Village of Lansing and is subject to additional rules. Crossbows are prohibited in A11. Archery hunters in A11 must have their arrows (e.g., fletching or shaft) labeled with their name using permanent markings. Also, deer may not be bled or slaughtered on adjacent residential properties that fall outside of Cornell lands. Parking is restricted to the one area depicted in the map.
Zones A12 and A13, also known as the Cornell Ponds off of Warren Road and north of the airport, are now open. However, access for pre-season scouting may not begin before October 1 each year. Access to these hunting areas is restricted by a locked gate. Interested hunters should email Jay Boulanger for the lock combination.
Zone M1 may not be hunted with shotguns, but muzzleloaders are allowed. Should you wish to hunt on non-Cornell properties within Zone M1, you need to email the appropriate landowner/s beforehand, for each time you hunt. Contacting the landowners is unessessary if you stay on Cornell lands within M1. Private land boundaries that may be hunted within M1 are marked with conservation easement signs. See M1 map for email contact information.
Deer hunting regulations for Campus EAB lands:
1) Have a valid 2011-2012 NYSDEC Big Game license and a Cornell University hunting permit. Do not apply for a Cornell University hunting permit until you have acquired a 2011-2012 DEC Big Game license. Online applications are accepted beginning August 22 and must be received by October 15. Applications will not be accepted after this date. To apply, hunters must agree to a Cornell University Police background check. Moreover, hunters with prior felonies are not permitted to hunt on Cornell University Arnot, Campus Earn-a-Buck, Northeast, and Plantations lands.
2) Annual, non-mandatory hunter orientation meetings are scheduled in mid-October for new Campus EAB hunters.
3) DMAP permits will be distributed to hunters only after using one of their own antlerless permits or DMPs to harvest a female deer. Hunters may may now receive up to 4 DMAPs per calendar year in the Campus EAB program.
4) Signing in to hunt is first-come, first-served and the number of hunters allowed in each zone is limited (see maps above). For each hunt, sign in and out at the deer check station located on Stevenson Road (between Dodge and Turkey Hill Roads; map). We have a new sign-in/sign-out station for hunters using northern EAB Zones A11, A12, A13, F8, and F11. The new sign-in station is located on Warren Drive, just off of Cherry Road in Lansing. Click here for map. Hunters may no longer sign in at the Stevenson Road deer check station for these hunting zones. All harvested deer must still be checked in at the Stevenson Road deer check station. Sign-in may begin 2 1/2 hours before sunrise.
5) Please close sliding door at check station behind you. If you are the last person to sign out at the end of the day for your hunting zone (e.g., A4), remove sheet from clipboard and place in lock box.
6) If deer were seen while hunting, record number and type daily on the hunter sighting form and place in lock box.
7) Check in all harvested deer at the deer check station. When unstaffed, take photo with camera and fill out a deer harvest report (instructions). Remove one side of the lower jaw with the tools provided at the check station (instructions). Label provided envelope with name, date and deer tag number. Insert jaw into envelope and place in refrigerator. If a hunter wishes to preserve their deer for taxidermy, they should contact Jay Boulanger to make arrangements for aging.
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. For example, if a hunter harvests two female deer and no bucks in 2010, that hunter would still be buck eligible on opening day of deer season in 2011.
9) Radio-collared deer: Hunters may harvest radio-collared deer. Hunters must check the ear tag date to make sure the deer is fit for consumption. In the unlikely event that a collared deer may not be consumed, the hunter may contact NYSDEC Law Enforcement for a replacement tag. If a hunter has any questions regarding the status of a collared deer (e.g., date illegible), please contact Jay Boulanger. Hunters must leave intact radio collar and one ear tag (if available) at the deer check station. Do not cut through the leather to remove the collar from your deer. For replacement deer tags, contact DEC Law Enforcement 24/7 Dispatch at (877) 457-5680 or one of our local Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs).
ECOs: Osman Eisenberg (607) 564-9458 or James Milewski (607) 283-1494
10) Display Cornell Parking Permit (supplied with hunting permit) on dash of vehicle.
11) Wear Campus EAB ID tag (supplied with permit) at all times while hunting. We recommend hunters reinforce their ID tags with see-through tape and secure with a large safety pin.
12) Wear a “hunter’s orange” hat and/or vest at all times while deer hunting during firearms seasons in zones where firearms are permitted. Archery only areas are exempt from this rule.
13) Only archery equipment will be allowed in archery-only areas during the archery deer season. Archery equipment and crossbows may be used in archery-only areas during the regular firearms and muzzleloader/later archery seasons. Archery-only zones are closed to all other types of hunting (e.g., turkey, small game, waterfowl, etc.).
14) Deer drives: Hunters may not drive deer during archery season, but are still permitted to still hunt in these areas. The only exception to this rule would be if a zone was completely full with a hunting party and all agree to participate in a deer drive.
15) Any big game hunting legal implement may be used in Zones F2, F3, F4, F5, F8, F10 and F11 during their respective seasons. Only deer may be harvested in these zones during the archery, firearms, and muzzleloader deer seasons.
16) Crossbows: Hunters may use crossbows in all areas (with the exception of Zone A11), including "archery only" zones of the Campus EAB hunting program during the regular firearms and muzzleloader seasons. It is illegal to hunt with crossbows during the archery season. Crossbows are prohibited in Zone A11 because of Village of Lansing ordinances. If hunting with crossbow during muzzleloader season, you must have muzzleloader tag. You may not hunt with crossbow during the late season if you only have an archery tag.
17) Small Game: Outside of the deer seasons, only Zones F3, F4, F5, and F11 will be open for other types of hunting (e.g., turkey, small game, waterfowl, etc.). These types of hunting are free from the sign in/sign out procedure, but hunters must wear their EAB ID tags. Exceptions: Zone F5 includes a blue shaded area that is closed to all hunting outside of the deer seasons. All other Plantations and Cornell E-a-B lands are closed to all hunting outside of the deer seasons. Note that your Campus EAB permit is also good for small game hunting on Arnot Forest and Northeast Lands. While small game hunting is permitted any time at the Arnot Forest, small game hunting is prohibited during all deer seasons on Campus EAB and Northeast Lands.
18) Note that other users may be using the natural areas. Please treat other users with courtesy. Several sites have public access and trails. Please check your map to familiarize yourself with these locations.
19) Guest hunters are not allowed. If you have a friend that you want to hunt, have them fill out an application. If they are well-qualified they may be granted a permit.
20) A hunter may be accompanied by no more than one non-hunter (e.g., spouse, child, friend, or photographer). The non-hunter 1) must stay with the hunter at all times, 2) may not carry a weapon, and 3) may not trade roles with the hunter while in the field. The hunter agrees to take full responsibility for a child, to keep the child within sight and reach, and to directly supervise the child at all times. On the sign-in sheet, a hunter and non-hunter must sign in together on one line (e.g., John Doe/Jane Doe - non-hunter).
21) To keep on good terms with our neighbors - do not enter a neighbor’s property to track deer without their permission.
22) All treestands and ground blinds must be clearly marked with owner's first and last name. No permanent treestands or screw-in tree steps or ground blinds may be used on Cornell University lands. Most current climbing and fixed treestands are acceptable as long as they do not utilize screws that pierce through the layer of tree bark. Small tree limbs (< 1 inch diameter) may be trimmed to set up the treestand or ground blind. Hunters may install temporary treestands and ground blinds two weeks before archery season and must remove them by one week following the last day of muzzleloader season. Treestands and ground blinds should be hidden from public view. Cornell is not responsible for stolen treestands or ground blinds. Any treestand or ground blind found outside of permitted dates or that is not clearly labeled will be confiscated. Only commercial ground blinds may be used. To preserve Cornell lands, hunters may not collect and use surrounding wood, brush, or vegetation to further blend in their commercial blind. Blinds may be left in hunting zones during the hunting season. However, blinds used in Earn-a-Buck areas that fall within Plantations lands (highlighted in blue hatching on hunting maps) must be carried in and out daily.
23) All motorized vehicles are prohibited. Hunters must hike into and out of the natural area. The Campus EAB hunting program has made Zone F5 accessible to nonambulatory hunters by allowing limited use of motor vehicles and ATVs. Nonambulatory hunters are those that are unable to walk (e.g., paralysis) who also possess a NYSDEC Non-Ambulatory Hunter Permit. For more information or permission, contact Jay Boulanger.
24) 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 Campus EAB Committee. Blatant disregard for Campus EAB policies will result in permanent loss of hunting privileges on Cornell University lands.