The New York state big game deer hunting season is quite long, as it is, and this last seven-day special extra week of deer hunting season sort of upsets the applecart of logic for many deer hunters — mostly the trophy deer hunters that believe all the deer that grow large and wily are their deer to harvest.

However, there are thousands of college students and visitors coming home to family for the holidays, and many thousands more have not found a deer for their freezer. These groups think this last seven-day deer season is a special gift from Santa.

There are a couple of ways to reason with keeping the season; some of those reasons are supported by insurance companies that are always calling for more population control, as unmanaged deer populations can grow rapidly. Vehicle accidents are costly to insurance companies and dangerous for drivers of cars and trucks. Unregulated deer numbers can also lead to overpopulation and overgrazing, causing environmental damage in some cases, leading to an imbalance in wild vegetation survival and other wildlife. Hunting helps regulate these negative impacts. Of course, hunting, therefore, prevents the deer population from remaining healthy with a more sustainable number of animals for a given area — that’s why we have Wildlife Management Units. Deer number control also prevents overcrowded deer populations that can cause deer diseases to spread like wildfire. Fortunately, our NYSDEC has done a great job controlling Chronic Wasting Disease.

On the flip side of the insurance company logic, the holiday deer hunt is a significant contributor to our local economy. It’s a longstanding social gathering event where families and friends come together in nature. For a majority of hunters, deer hunting is not about sport; it’s about providing a lean, high-protein meat alternative as a sustainable food source. The hunting season, especially this last seven-day season, helps to support our local economy, especially in rural areas. The cost of license fees, hunting gear sales, and tourism-related effects add up in a good way, especially in New York state. Many businesses depend on the influx of hunter’s needs to support their livelihood during the hunting seasons. This last season is especially beneficial because everyone is in a giving mood. What do you need, son? OK, I’ll get that for you. You know how that goes when your heart is full during the holiday season.

Western New York deer are quite healthy and there are good numbers of deer in many Wildlife Management Units of the region. The special Southern Tier holiday deer season runs from Dec. 26 through Jan 1. Photo courtesy of James Monteleone

On the downside, too many hunting seasons could lead to the depletion of deer populations. Overhunting could result in long-term population imbalances if not appropriately managed. In some cases, like in several Allegany County WMUs, if the deer population is already low, additional hunting could negatively impact the ecosystem by disrupting the balance between deer and other species. Last, and maybe most importantly, hunting during the holiday season with increased activity in certain areas can raise safety concerns for non-hunters such as hikers and property owners who are unaware of the special extended season.

Careful regulation and management are essential to ensure that this special and memorable holiday deer-only hunting season really has a rightful place in our environmental health and safety concerns. It’s essential that we maintain a balance between the benefits of the hunt and the safety of non-hunters, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the holiday season without unnecessary risks. How do we measure that? Pass the Gazoo.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Nov. 23 to Jan. 19: Late Canada goose season — South Area. See syllabus.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone holiday deer hunt season for archery, muzzleloader and crossbow.

Jan. 1: Happy New Year. Last day of Southern Zone holiday deer hunt

Jan. 4: Clays-for-Cash sporting clay shoot, Hanover Fish and Game Club, 780 Overhiser Road, Forestville, 8 a.m. start, last clay: 11 a.m. Info: 716-480-2202.

Jan. 4: Free Fur-Handling Workshop, Collins Conservation Club, 2633 Conger Road, Collins; 9 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., call Patti Wattengel, 716-337-2556 for info.

Jan. 4-5: Hamburg Gun Show, 5820 South Park Ave., Hamburg, 9 a.m. open, $10 entry, Info: nfgshows.com.

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.