New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today reported that the Governor has included language in his proposed 2014 State Budget that would reduce from 500 feet to 150 feet the setback for hunting deer with a bow and arrow. This would greatly increase the areas available for deer hunting on the East End. The setback was recommended by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in its State Deer Management Plan. It is also consistent with the setbacks for bow and arrow hunting in most adjoining States. Thiele, at the request of local government officials on the East End, had introduced an identical proposal in 2013.

Thiele stated, “Deer management has been a major issue on eastern Long Island, where deer populations have skyrocketed, creating ecological, health, and safety issues. The DEC, in its State management plan, has made recommendations to reduce the herd by increased hunting opportunities, but these measures have not been adopted by the State Legislature. As a result, farmers and local governments have been forced to look at more drastic management measures. The setback reduction, if enacted as part of the State Budget, will provide a major tool that will permit the hunting community to play a greater role in reducing the deer herd. There are other management tools that still need to be implemented, both lethal and non-lethal, but the enactment of this proposal would be a good first step in reducing the number of deer on eastern Long Island.”