Out of State Opportunity

[M go Blue]

I had a friend who traveled to Northern Central New York last year, essentially along the Canadian border (region 5) and hunted a chunk of private ground around the Thanksgiving time. This year, they are going the last week of October and I’ve been asked to go as one of the other individuals cannot make the trip.

I know for some it may not be a preferred state or destination, but for less than $1000 all in, it gets me on an adventure, challenges me to dissect new/different ground, and I get to spend a week in the outdoors with a great friend. So my questions are, can anyone in the group shed some light on deer densities, what’s considered mature for North Central Region 5, hunting pressure, etc. Any information you would be willing to pass along is greatly appreciated.

 

[Erict]

I am not a fan of FNGs getting on here with their first post asking for free handouts. Show us that you have put a little effort in to researching what you are looking for and maybe you'll get more help.

Spend some time on the NYSDEC website - you might begin by reading the 2024 annual report on deer hunting.

Lastly, know that NY law recently changed and crossbows are now considered archery implements and can be used during the entire bow seasons. One must have an archery license (and the bowhunter education course to purchase it).

Good luck.

 

[M go Blue]

I am not a fan of FNGs getting on here with their first post asking for free handouts. Show us that you have put a little effort in to researching what you are looking for and maybe you'll get more help.

Spend some time on the NYSDEC website - you might begin by reading the 2024 annual report on deer hunting.

Lastly, know that NY law recently changed and crossbows are now considered archery implements and can be used during the entire bow seasons. One must have an archery license (and the bowhunter education course to purchase it).

Good luck.

I appreciate the information on the bow hunters education course, as Michigan does not require that specifically. I’ll look up the requirements for the bow hunters education course and see if I can utilize Michigan’s course and meet requirements.

From the time I’ve spent researching on the NYSDEC, according to them, it’s low deer density with an average of less than 2 bucks per square mile taken in that zone and mostly comprised of 2.5 yr olds that score on average less than 80”. The 3.5 yr olds that are harvested on average range between 100-110”. While there has been a decrease in shooting immature bucks-1.5 yr olds, 5-10% of all antlerless harvested are buck fawns.

I only shoot a compound but will pass along the information to the other participant as they will be utilizing a crossbow.

 

[Boarmaster]

How did they do there last year or years before?. Throwing the dice on a $1000 hunting trip is a good bet. You will probably have that much worth of fun on the trip with the other hunters and just getting to hunt in a different region even if you don't get a deer. If you’re going on $10k trip you might want to be more concerned. Again the guys that have been there are your best source for info. Over my 45 years of hunting across the country most of my most memorable , fun and exciting hunts were trips where we did know a dang thing about the place we were going. Go hunting man. Good luck.

 

[M go Blue]

How did they do there last year or years before?. Throwing the dice on a $1000 hunting trip is a good bet. You will probably have that much worth of fun on the trip with the other hunters and just getting to hunt in a different region even if you don't get a deer. If you’re going on $10k trip you might want to be more concerned. Again the guys that have been there are your best source for info. Over my 45 years of hunting across the country most of my most memorable , fun and exciting hunts were trips where we did know a dang thing about the place we were going. Go hunting man. Good luck.

Last year was the first year they went. They went later in the year after thanksgiving, during one of the firearm seasons and did not do well at all. Saw relatively few and predominantly did drives/pushes. Looking at the regs, it appears that muzzleloader and archery season overlap if I'm reading them correctly, which could make things interesting. I still have some time to make a decision so I'm not feeling rushed which is good.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Make sure u have hunters education card as most states require it to purchase a license nowadays, and just go to have fun with your buds and experience a new place etc.

If they predominantly done drives, how big is the private chunk they hunted? maybe they pushed everything off that private doing deer drives etc. or if that is the norm there, maybe they were all pushed off before they got there etc. do other people hunt the private land as well?

 

[M go Blue]

Make sure u have hunters education card as most states require it to purchase a license nowadays, and just go to have fun with your buds and experience a new place etc.

If they predominantly done drives, how big is the private chunk they hunted? maybe they pushed everything off that private doing deer drives etc. or if that is the norm there, maybe they were all pushed off before they got there etc. do other people hunt the private land as well?

It’s a very large chunk of private and there are others who hunt it. From the conversations, it sounds like drives/pushes are the normal method. Michigan started requiring hunters safety in 1988 for those born after 1960. I fall into that group being born in 82’.

 

[K9kodi]

large is alllll relative.

 

[M go Blue]

large is alllll relative.

It’s approximately 1200 acres

 

[Macintosh]

First, this post is dangerously close to being shut down as “spot burning” as its a specific unit, so please keep things as general as possible. I grew up there and have family that lives there, so would prefer not to have too much specific info on the interwebs, as it would directly affect me.
That said, region 5 covers the ENTIRE span of literally 95’ elevation farmland, to above-treeline alpine tundra and Wilderness with a capital W. There’s fertile farmland in the 2 main lake and river valleys, and thin, rocky infertile soil in the mountains. As you can guess, deer density, access and tactics changes considerably across that span. The mountains will have arguably some of the lowest effective deer densities and most difficult hunting of anywhere in the country, bar none. The valleys will still be quite low compared to almost any destination whitetail state, but much more “standard”. Given the variety in the region, it’s not really possible to give you much of a sense of anything without really getting into specifics, which to me isn’t appropriate here. There’s some good info on the state website, the reports have harvest and other info by town. I would check that out, the town info will be far more specific to the area you would hunt, whereas the entire unit info you can basically throw out the window given the large portion of it that would be distinctly different from wherever it is you are going.

 

[TreeDux]

Unless the timing or financial constraints made it an issue I wouldn’t hesitate to go. I would try to find out if the group’s plans accommodate the way you want to hunt. For example if you’re a go getter and they are in it more for the evening drinks it might be disappointing. Otherwise private in the upstate has a ton of potential. It’s easy to get too hung up on whether it’s “good “ or not. I know, because I’m guilty of it. Go have fun.

 

[M go Blue]

First, this post is dangerously close to being shut down as “spot burning” as its a specific unit, so please keep things as general as possible. I grew up there and have family that lives there, so would prefer not to have too much specific info on the interwebs, as it would directly affect me.
That said, region 5 covers the ENTIRE span of literally 95’ elevation farmland, to above-treeline alpine tundra and Wilderness with a capital W. There’s fertile farmland in the 2 main lake and river valleys, and thin, rocky infertile soil in the mountains. As you can guess, deer density, access and tactics changes considerably across that span. The mountains will have arguably some of the lowest effective deer densities and most difficult hunting of anywhere in the country, bar none. The valleys will still be quite low compared to almost any destination whitetail state, but much more “standard”. Given the variety in the region, it’s not really possible to give you much of a sense of anything without really getting into specifics, which to me isn’t appropriate here. There’s some good info on the state website, the reports have harvest and other info by town. I would check that out, the town info will be far more specific to the area you would hunt, whereas the entire unit info you can basically throw out the window given the large portion of it that would be distinctly different from wherever it is you are going.

Appreciate the insight. I thought I was being general enough without calling out a town/city/village or even the alphabet number (spot burning) etc. to spark conversation and hopefully gain insight that’s not on the state site. Happy to have any conversation in PM’s that are not appropriate for public forums. If you care to share what you know, I see that muzzleloader season overlaps archery season. Do most prefer the use the boom stick or archery equipment for that general area, or is it completely subjective to the circumstances one faces?

 

[Dougfir]

The last week of October is rifle season in northern NY. I'm confused why you're talking about archery and muzzleloader hunting? As Macintosh correctly pointed out, that area has vastly different environments and it would be impossible to give much info without knowing more about the location. I would think that the landowner/other hunters there could give you a good sense of expectations. What I can tell you for sure, is that you should be prepared for weather that could be 70 degrees, or 25 degrees and snowing, or both. Also, get your license online, ahead of time. They're kind of a pain in the neck to get in person around here..

 

[M go Blue]

The last week of October is rifle season in northern NY. I'm confused why you're talking about archery and muzzleloader hunting? As Macintosh correctly pointed out, that area has vastly different environments and it would be impossible to give much info without knowing more about the location. I would think that the landowner/other hunters there could give you a good sense of expectations. What I can tell you for sure, is that you should be prepared for weather that could be 70 degrees, or 25 degrees and snowing, or both. Also, get your license online, ahead of time. They're kind of a pain in the neck to get in person around he….

The attachment below is why I made the statement about the overlap. Is that statement correct or am I missing aligned to what the guide is stating as the dates mentioned to me, were 10/22-10/30-31. I’m just trying to gather all the insight I can and compare that to the information the group is giving me.

The last thing I want to do is be over 750 miles from home and not have all my ducks in a row which could result in a less than ideal encounter with an agent, if we encounter one. By the sounds of it, we’d be better off just purchasing a regular season tag and rifle hunting from 10/25 on, or moving the trip ahead and using archery or muzzleloading equipment before 10/24. Is that a fair interpretation and correct?

The weather sounds identical to what we experience in Michigan during same timeframe. We will most defiantly have licenses before traveling as this makes things smoother and more efficient with our time there.

 

[Dougfir]

The attachment below is why I made the statement about the overlap. Is that statement correct or am I missing aligned to what the guide is stating as the dates mentioned to me, were 10/22-10/30-31. I’m just trying to gather all the insight I can and compare that to the information the group is giving me.

The last thing I want to do is be over 750 miles from home and not have all my ducks in a row which could result in a less than ideal encounter with an agent, if we encounter one. By the sounds of it, we’d be better off just purchasing a regular season tag and rifle hunting from 10/25 on, or moving the trip ahead and using archery or muzzleloading equipment before 10/24. Is that a fair interpretation and correct?

The weather sounds identical to what we experience in Michigan during same timeframe. We will most defiantly have licenses before traveling as this makes things smoother and more efficient with our time there.

I see. Yes, you have your season dates right. That's an interesting set of dates for your trip, since it splits the muzzleloader and rifle seasons. You'll pay for two tags, but you'll also have the potential to take more deer (one of them, a doe if you want).
Some very general answers to your original questions: If you're hunting down in the major river/lake valleys, you'll find decent numbers of deer, but probably less than you have in Michigan. If you're hunting in the more mountainous, big woods areas, you'll find very low deer densities. In either area, most bucks will top out around 120" That's a really big deer here and anything bigger is an outlier. Most hunters are either shooting any buck they see, or if they're selective, they're passing on 1.5 year olds and shooting anything else. With a 1200 acre piece of private land, there may be a little variation from the norm there and I'm sure the folks who have hunted the property can speak to that. Good luck!

 

[M go Blue]

I see. Yes, you have your season dates right. That's an interesting set of dates for your trip, since it splits the muzzleloader and rifle seasons. You'll pay for two tags, but you'll also have the potential to take more deer (one of them, a doe if you want).
Some very general answers to your original questions: If you're hunting down in the major river/lake valleys, you'll find decent numbers of deer, but probably less than you have in Michigan. If you're hunting in the more mountainous, big woods areas, you'll find very low deer densities. In either area, most bucks will top out around 120" That's a really big deer here and anything bigger is an outlier. Most hunters are either shooting any buck they see, or if they're selective, they're passing on 1.5 year olds and shooting anything else. With a 1200 acre piece of private land, there may be a little variation from the norm there and I'm sure the folks who have hunted the property can speak to that. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing. I’m guessing they’ll want to do 1 tag and the timeframe would be adjusted. It’s always helpful to level set expectations whether it’s density, body size, antler size etc. I’m gaining more and more information daily which will help make my decision. Good luck this year.