ALBANY (AP) State wildlife officials say hunters are expected to kill fewer deer in the upcoming big game season because deer mortality over the past winter will result in fewer antlerless deer permits in parts of the state.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says last winter was more severe than average, with prolonged periods of deep snow and subzero temperatures - particularly in the western Catskills and southwestern New York.
It was the second rough winter in a row in parts of northern New York.
The agency says the number of deer management permits will be reduced by 20 to 30 percent in some areas of high winter mortality.
But deer populations in large areas of central New York, the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario Plains and some of southeastern New York remain high, so more permits will be issued there.
Greater Rochester Wildlife Management Units
NYS Deer Management Program
