DEER MANAGEMENT HUNTING PERMIT TERMS & CONDITIONS GENESEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY 153 CEDAR STREET, BATAVIA, NY 14020 Phone (585) 344-8508 Administration/Reservations/Parks Supervisor Fax (585) 343-9303 Phone (585) 344-1122 Interpretive Nature Center Website: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks Email: coparks@co.genesee.ny.us Timothy Hens Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn Parks Supervisor All hunters are expected to follow all NYS DEC Rules & Regulations and Genesee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry Deer Archery Hunting Program Rules & Regulations, and to conduct themselves in a safe and ethical manner. Hunters that meet these criteria will remain eligible for annual lottery drawing renewals. Important Contacts Paul Osborn, Parks Supervisor, (coparks@co.genesee.ny.us) manages the Genesee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry and is the contact for questions. Office (585) 343-8508 If hunters witness illegal or unsanctioned behavior, contact Genesee County Sheriff s office at (585) 343-5000. Illegal activity may also be reported to NYS DEC at (585) 226-6706. In the case of an emergency, Dial 911. Hunters are to contact Park Staff at the Interpretive Nature Center (585) 344-1122 for assistance tracking or requesting permission during scheduled Deer Management hunting season. Hours of Operation Park Hours: October April, 9:00 am 5:00 pm Hunting Hours: October 19 November 15, 2015 Sunrise 12:00 pm(sunrise as defined by official NYS DEC hunting guide) Important Dates: Permit Submittal Due Date: September 11, 2015 Lottery Drawing: September 15, 2015 Mandatory Informational Meeting: October 3, 2015 Hunting Program Dates (Mon. Sun.): Week #1: October 19 25 Week #2: October 26 November 1 Week #3: November 2 8 Week #4: November 8-15 Genesee County Park and Forest Genesee County Park & Forest (431 acres) is owned by Genesee County and managed by the Genesee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry. In 1915, New York State recognized the Genesee County Forest as the oldest County forest in NYS. Forest management has been ongoing throughout the past 90+ years through plantings, tree stand (plantation) thinning (tending) and harvesting of timber. One of the primary management goals of the plan is the production and harvest of high-quality, high-value sawtimber. Similar to 1
many forested areas across the state, the Genesee County Park and Forest has seen an increase in deer population and has become a safe haven. Deer have found the park to be a location that can be visited throughout the day during the hunting seasons with no pressures to leave. The park has also become a heavy feeding ground throughout the year as well as during those periods. An increase in the deer herd has begun to impact the forest with over browsing of the tree seedlings being produced through the forest management practices laid out in the Plan adopted in 2003. With this, the forest regeneration has been slowed and in some places has been none at all. Deer management was a consideration during the creation of the newest Forest Management Plan (2003). At that time, the impact of over browsing by the deer population was not dramatically seen because the management practices were not as prudent prior to adoption of the 2003 plan. It is time to pursue a Deer Management Program at the Genesee County Park and Forest to assist in fostering the goals of the Forest Management Plan (2003). The primary goal is to reduce the herd and lessen the impacts of browsing on the forest regeneration. An Earn a Buck program is proposed through archery and or crossbow hunting methods. Earn a Buck Program The 2015 program will be a 4 week program held October 19 November 15. The hours of archery hunting activities will be from sunrise to noon. (additional 4 hour window for tracking injured deer within the park) It is a requirement by adults to harvest at least one antlerless deer prior to harvesting one legal, antlered deer. It is encouraged to harvest two antlerless deer but only a maximum of two deer may be taken by any permit holder. This EAB requirement does not pertain to Youth or Disabled Veteran hunters. It is one of our goals to encourage our youth and veterans to harvest deer. 12 hunting zones (see map) have been created and will be assigned to a permit holder. The permit holder must stay in the zone assigned. Two zones (Zones 3 & 4) have been designated for youth and two zones (Zones 1 & 2) for Disabled Veterans (DEC Military Disabled Hunting License). Permits & Licenses A Genesee County Parks Deer Management issued permit is required to legally archery or crossbow hunt at the Genesee County Park & Forest. Hunters must possess a valid NYS DEC big game license and respective deer tags before applying for a Genesee County Parks Deer Archery Hunting Permit. Crossbow hunters must ALSO possess a valid muzzleloader hunting privilege as defined by the NYS DEC along with respective deer tags. The Genesee County Parks Deer Management Permit is specific to the hunter, and may not be used by or assigned to any other individual. The permit must be presented upon demand to any Genesee County Parks official and/or Law Enforcement officer. Genesee County reserves the right to revoke this permit at any time. The permit is a non-refundable $25.00 fee (check or money order due with permit application) Check or money order must be written out to the GENESEE COUNTY TREASURER A copy of your NYS DEC License is required to be submitted with permit application. Deer Management permit applications and payments will be accepted August 17 - September 11. Applications will not be accepted after September 11. A lottery drawing will be held on September 15, 2015 where permits and vehicle tags will be administered at a mandatory information meeting held in October 3, 2015. 2
The Genesee County Parks Deer Management Permit will be good for up to a week. The permit is voided once the week expires or the two deer limit is reached. Genesee County residents, including youth, and disabled Veterans will be given priority over nonresident applications. A Disabled Veteran is defined as a military veteran with 40% or greater disability (NYS DEC definition). Hunters shall comply with all state and local laws and ordinances governing archery and crossbow hunting activities. Access/Hunting Zones 12 hunting zones have been created and will be designated to permit holders. Note that the Genesee County Park & Forest remains OPEN to the public during this special archery hunting season. Please be aware of hiking trails and be courteous to other Park users. Hunters must visibly wear their Genesee County Parks Deer Management hunting program identification tag (supplied with permit) on their person, and display their parking permit in their vehicle dashboard at all times while hunting. Use of any motorized vehicles on Genesee County Park & Forest trails is prohibited. Hunters must hike into and out of all hunting zones from the designated parking area. All vehicles must park in the horse trailer/ snowmobile parking lot located outside the gate on Bethany Center Road. To keep on good terms with our adjacent landowners, do NOT enter neighboring properties or restricted areas to track wounded deer without notifying Park staff and requesting permission. Notify Park Staff to assist in removal of any deer. Hunting Activities Only white-tailed deer may be hunted. It is the hunter s responsibility to know the designated archery season and legal hunting implements for New York State and for the Genesee County Parks Deer Management hunting program and zones. Only archery equipment and crossbows will be allowed as per NYS DEC rules and regulations. A hunter may be accompanied by no more than one non-hunter (e.g., spouse, child, friend, etc.). 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. ONLY portable ground blinds may be used. All portable ground blinds must be legibly marked with owner's first and last name and phone number. Any portable ground blind that pierces the bark on a tree is PROHIBITTED. Genesee County is not responsible for stolen portable ground blinds. Small tree limbs (< 1 inch diameter) may be trimmed to set up the ground blind, but not for clearing shooting lanes. To preserve Genesee County Park & Forest future forests, hunters may not collect and use surrounding wood, brush, or vegetation to further blend in their portable blind. All hunters are required to keep a 50 buffer between them and Memory Lane at all times. Hunters are not required to use ground blinds but must stay on the ground at all times. Climbing trees is prohibited. Hunters may not drive deer in the Genesee County Park & Forest. No fires, camping, or littering. Use of drugs and alcohol will not be tolerated. 3
Monitoring/ Survey All hunters are to check in prior to commencing hunting activities and check out when hunting activities are completed at the gate house each day they are on site. This is a safety measure for park staff to ensure all hunters are safely out of the park before closing. All hunters, including hunters that did not take a deer, are required to complete and return the Hunter Report/Survey Form which must be submitted within 1 week of the closure of prescribed hunting season for the Genesee County Parks. Failure to return the survey will result in the denial of future lottery drawings. As required by the NYS DEC, all hunters must report their deer kills to the NYS DEC. A photo is requested to be submitted of each deer with the hunter reporting survey. All photos and surveys are to be submitted by email to coparks@co.genesee.ny.us or via mail to Genesee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry, 153 Cedar St., Batavia, NY 14020. Permits and vehicle tags must be returned at the conclusion of each prescribed hunting week or the taking of two deer prior to its conclusion. Mandatory Informational Meeting Attendance at the mandatory informational meeting is required to receive a permit. This meeting will be held October 3, 2015. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in a warning or immediate termination of hunting privileges. Blatant disregard for Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations will result in permanent loss of hunting privileges on Genesee County Park & Forest. Permitted hunters agree to waive and release Genesee County of any and all claims for bodily injury while on this land. In addition, the hunter will be responsible for any and all damage done to the property should this occur and agrees to hold and save Genesee County harmless from claims of third persons which may arise from hunting activities on County property. It is also agreed to, that the hunter will reimburse Genesee County for any costs, including attorney fees, which it may incur in connection with any action arising from his hunting activities on the Genesee County Park & Forest. 4
Permit No. DEER MANAGEMENT PERMIT GENESEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY 153 CEDAR STREET, BATAVIA, NY 14020 Phone (585) 344-8508 Administration/Reservations/Parks Supervisor Fax (585) 343-9303 Phone (585) 344-1122 Interpretive Nature Center Website: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks Email: coparks@co.genesee.ny.us Timothy Hens Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn Parks Supervisor NAME of APPLICANT: DATE: ADDRESS: CITY/STATE: ZIP: PHONE: EMAIL: NYS DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LICENSE #: APPLICANT SIGNATURE (Guardian Signature if Under 18): SELECT ONE LOTTERY OPTION: YOUTH DISABLED VETERAN ADULT SELECT ONE HUNTING OPTION: ARCHERY CROSSBOW NON-REFUNDABLE Permit fee of $25.00 Make Checks or Money Orders out to the GENESEE COUNTY TREASURER PERMIT MUST BE CARRIED ON PERSON AT ALL TIMES ALONG WITH PHOTO ID. PERMIT MUST BE PRESENTED TO PARK STAFF OR PEACE OFFICER ON REQUEST. ANY VIOLATION OF DEPARTMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF PERMIT, CONFISCATION OF CARCASS, LOSS OF ANY FURTHER LOTTERY DRAWING OPPORTUNITIES, AND POSSIBLE FINE. KEY REGULATIONS 1. HUNTERS SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW; GENESEE COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY RULES AND REGULATIONS. 2. HUNTERS SHALL HUNT IN A MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE NYS DEC, EXCEPT AS MODIFIED BY THE DATES, TIMES AND HUNTING STYLES SPECIFIED IN THIS PERMIT. THE PERMIT CONFERS ONLY THOSE RIGHTS INDICATED HEREIN. 3. HUNTING IN THE GENESEE COUNTY PARK & FOREST IS A PRIVELEDGE AND ALLOWED BY PARK PERMIT ONLY 4. BOWHUNTING AND USE OF CROSSBOWS ARE ONLY ALLOWED AS PER THE DESIGNATED NYS DEC HUNTING SEASON 5. GENESEE COUNTY PARK & FOREST IS IN NYS DEC WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT 9H 6. BE ABSOLUTELY SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BEYOND 7. BE AWARE, THERE ARE MANY VISITORS IN THE PARK WHO MAY BE RUNNING, HIKING, BIKING, OR HORSEBACK RIDING. PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS YOUR OWN AT ALL TIMES. 8. PERMITS ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE. 9. GUTTING OF DEER WILL NOT BE PERMITTED WITHIN DESIGNATED TRAILS AND MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE WOODED AREAS AT LEAST 20FEET FROM ANY TRAIL. 10. PARKING IS PERMITTED IN HORSE/ SNOWMOBILE TRAILER PARKING LOT LOCATED AT THE BETHANY CENTER ROAD ENTRANCE. 11. EACH HUNTER WHO ARRIVES IN A VEHICLE MUST DISPLAY THE VEHICLE STUB PORTION OF THEIR PERMIT IN THAT VEHICLE. 12. MOTORIZED VEHICLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON ANY TRAIL, SAFETY ZONE, BIKEWAY, WALK, PATH, PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, OR INTERIOR ROAD. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in a warning or immediate termination of hunting privileges. Blatant disregard for Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations will result in permanent loss of hunting privileges in the Genesee County Park & Forest. Permitted hunters agree to waive and release Genesee County of any and all claims for bodily injury while on this land. In addition, the hunter will be responsible for any and all damage done to the property should this occur and agrees to hold and save Genesee County harmless from claims of third persons which may arise from hunting activities on County property. It is also agreed to, that the hunter will reimburse Genesee County for any costs, including attorney fees, which it may incur in connection with any action arising from such hunting activities on the Genesee County Park & Forest. Name Date Signature (Guardian Signature if under 18) ZONE DAYS HUNTED HOURS HUNTED HUNTER REPORT/SURVEY FORM TOTAL DEER TAKEN IN ZONE ADULTS FAWNS Antlered Antlerless Antlered Antlerless OTHER WILDLIFE SEEN USE BACK OF PERMIT TO MAKE COMMENTS OR REPORT ADDITIONAL WILDLIFE OFFICE USE ONLY DATE REC D: DATES ASSIGNED: WEEK/ZONE ASSIGNED: PERMIT AUTHORIZED BY: DATE 5