HOLLAND – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging Region 9 big game hunters to visit its local deer and bear check station to collect harvest data.
DEC’s Region 9 check station will be on Route 16, in Holland, Erie County (northbound about one mile south of the Town of Holland). It will operate Saturday, Nov. 17, noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participation is voluntary and helps DEC gather data to assess the status of the area’s big game population.
“While stopping at our check station is voluntary, reporting a harvest within seven days of take is not only a legal obligation, it’s also essential to proper wildlife management. This fall, please remember to Take It, Tag It, Report It!” said DEC Regional Wildlife Manager Ken Baginski.
Hunters are encouraged to bring their deer to the check station where DEC staff will determine deer age and collect other important biological and harvest information. With black bear season opening the same day as deer season, wildlife staff will also check harvested bears to collect weight and sex information, along with pulling a premolar tooth to determine the bear’s age.
Technicians from State Department of Health (DOH) will also be present at the check station to examine deer for ticks and collect samples to test for Lyme disease.
As in previous years, hunters wishing to donate their harvest to “Hunters Helping the Hungry” sponsored by the Venison Donation Coalition, may drop off a deer at the Holland check station during days of operation before 6 p.m.
