This Popular New York State Park to Allow Bow Hunting?

As we move more than halfway through September, those of us who love hunting whitetail deer in New York State are getting ready for the opening day of archery season!

With a few changes coming this year and a very healthy deer population, it should be a great season by all accounts. But one area of Western New York, in particular, is already talking a lot about the upcoming whitetail deer season, which is still about two weeks away.

Are You Seeing More Deer in Your Neighborhood?

Have you been seeing a lot of deer in your neighborhood?

It seems like every time you turn a corner, there are more deer in suburban areas, towns and villages these days.

For example, East Aurora, New York, is getting a lot of attention because of recent discussions about bait-and-shoot programs throughout the village. These programs can be used as a way to help manage deer populations in areas where traditional hunting can be difficult.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) works to manage New York’s deer population and establish regulations designed to help maintain healthy deer herds.

Hunting Plays an Important Role in Deer Management

At its core, hunting is an important part of wildlife conservation and management here in New York State.

Whether it involves small game or big game animals such as whitetail deer, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulates hunting seasons, permits and harvest limits.

These regulations are designed to help manage wildlife populations while providing hunting opportunities throughout the state.

Hunting at Knox Farm State Park

A recent discussion has also popped up surrounding hunting at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora.

I grew up in East Aurora, New York, and Knox Farm was always that place you passed by with the stone fence out front along Route 16, or Seneca Street, just outside the village.

For years, we looked over the farm that was owned by the Knox family before it was eventually passed on to New York State. I always wondered what it would be like to own such an incredible property.

The rolling hills, wooded acreage and beautiful buildings all seemed so amazing from the road!

The Knox family eventually handed the property over to New York State, and today, it is a gorgeous state park. But there is an ongoing issue with the deer herd, and controlling that population has become a major topic of discussion.

According to recent reports, bowhunting and crossbow hunting will be allowed at Knox Farm State Park once the appropriate season begins in October. Channel 7 reports that hunting will be coming to park. However, it remains unclear as to how many hunters will be permitted IF there is a specific amount being planned. We have taken plenty of calls asking about the possibility of a lottery or registration.

How will it work? I have been hearing about a variety of plans. Recently, on the NextDoor App, one post mentioned that it was going to be on a "first come and first serve basis" each day of the season and there would be a limit on the amount of hunters allowed in the park to hunt.

As of the publishing of this article, Knox Farm was NOT listed on the NYS DEC site about parks that allow hunting.

New Deer Hunting Opportunities in New York

There are multiple regulations and opportunities for hunters to be aware of in New York State this season.

For example, hunters who want to harvest a doe will have an increased opportunity to obtain permits, and there is also an Earn-a-Buck second-buck tag opportunity in certain circumstances.

I was talking with a few old-timers recently who remember the days when four or five people had to be put on one permit, and you were lucky to get it!

Over the last few decades, the number of hunters has decreased while the whitetail deer population has grown in many areas.

That creates an ongoing need for effective deer management, not only to help reduce damage to agriculture and vegetation but also to address concerns associated with wildlife health and disease.