Deer Management Program

Cornell Plantations relies on the assistance of dedicated volunteers, stewards, and other conservation partners to preserve, maintain, and restore natural communities and locally rare plant habitat within the Finger Lakes region.

Plantations is seeking responsible sportsmen to maintain or reduce deer populations through our sanctioned hunting program.

This is not only an opportunity to help preserve the integrity of these unique habitats, it is a privilege that is earned and maintained.

This year, seventeen natural areas encompassing over 1850 acres will be open for deer hunting opportunities.

PLEASE NOTE: THE DEER HUNTING APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.

All hunters are expected to follow all Cornell Plantations and Department of Environmental Conservation rules and regulations and, to conduct themselves in a safe and ethical manner. Hunters that meet these criteria will remain eligible for annual renewals.

Natural Area Visitors

Visitors please note that all Plantations' Natural Areas with firarm deer hunting programs are closed for public use during the firearm deer seasons, from November 19 through December 20, 2011. All Natural Areas remain open to the public during the archery deer season, with runs from October 15 through November 18, 2011.

Natural Areas with Deer Management Programs include:

(to view map, click on site name)

7H Wildlife Management Unit

Edwards Lake Cliffs #
McDaniels (Townley Swamp)

7J Wildlife Management Unit

Eames Bog (Mud Creek) #
McLean Bog #

7R Wildlife Management Unit

Allen Tract (Cayuta Lake)
Bald Hill

Carter Creek East (Connecticut Hill)
Carter Creek West (Connecticut Hill)
Coy Glen #
Dunlop Meadow
Fisher
Lick Brook *
Ringwood #
Slaterville 600 (Hammond Hill)
Polson (Snyder Hill)
South Hill Swamp * #
Tarr-Young

Sites identified with an (*) are restricted to archery only hunting. Unless otherwise noted, all listed sites are open to both archery and firearm hunting opportunities.

Sites identified with a (#) will have free DEC Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags for eligible hunters, by request to Plantations. These tags are intented to help us meet our deer management program goals of reducing the doe population. Hunters are expected to use purchased tags before requesting a DMAP tag. Priority will be given to hunters who have harvested deer in preceeding years. DMAP tag recipients must now report harvest data to directly to Plantations. This information includes site name, sex, age, date taken, tag number, hunter name, and back tag number. DMAP tags are to be used only at the assigned site, valid for antlerless deer only, limited to two tags per hunter per year, and must not be sold or transferred. To request a DMAP tag, contact Plantations Natural Areas Director, Todd Bittner.

Prospective hunters with questions about hunting at "restricted sites" or "restricted parking areas" such as Eames Bog, Edwards, Coy Glen Lot #4, South Hill Lot #2, or McLean Bog should contact Todd Bittner directly.

For more information on Plantations' sites, visit our Natural Areas Profiles. For site specific and program information on hunting activity and harvest at each site, visit our deer management program summary for 2008 - 2010 here.

News and Updates for 2011

1). Hunters must now choose to participate in only one of the four major Cornell deer hunting programs. For example, hunters may no longer sign up for Plantations Natural Areas and Campus Earn-a-Buck (EAB) hunting programs. The four major hunting programs available for 2011-2012 include Plantations Natural Areas, Campus EAB, Arnot Forest, and Northeast Lands (Zones F1 and F9), with each program requiring their own specialized permit and ID tag. There will be no exceptions to this rule, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

This change in Cornell deer hunting regulations arose from the actions of deer hunters themselves. During the last few years, a large proportion of the 650+ hunters registered for Cornell hunting programs but never signed in to hunt. As a result, we plan to reduce administrative costs associated with non-participating registrants and confusion among hunting programs. This change will enable us more control over the number and type of hunters for better deer management in the respective hunting programs. This change, however, should not affect the majority of repeat, responsible hunters who are attracted to the type of deer hunting program they choose. Hunters will have to focus on efficiency by getting to know the lands better, which ultimately should provide a better "quality" experience. Denying permit applications remains an option for hunters who register but do not participate in Cornell deer hunting programs. We remind Cornell Plantations Natural Areas hunters that this program is free, voluntary, and part of a broader deer management program.

Individuals interested in archery hunting at Plantations' Etna, Monkey Run, Turkey Hill, Bluegrass Lanes, Upper Cascadilla, Mitchell Street Hawthorn Thicket, or Fall Creek Natural Areas should visit and apply through the Cornell Earn-A-Buck Deer Management Program website to hunt these sites.

2). Hunters may now use crossbows in all areas, including "archery only" zones in Plantations Natural Areas during the regular firearm and muzzleloader seasons. It is illegal to hunt with crossbows during the archery season. For more information on DEC crossbow regulations, click here.

3). Starting this year, we are providing a reward and incentive component to our deer program through how our reservation system works. Returning, veteran hunters that have complied with our program regulations in prior years, including meeting doe harvest criteria and annual reporting, will be allowed to make reservations for 21 days in advance the day's date. First time and probationary hunters will be allowed to make reservations for 14 days in advance of the day's date.

4). Hunters can now make separate reservations for the AM and PM any day.

5). We have added an additional 168 acres at new Cornell owned natural area - Carter Creek East - to the deer management program. This site is adjacent to the DEC Connecticut Hill State Forest.

6). The parking area off Swamp Road at the Cayuta Lake Allen Tract Natural Area has been removed and a small change made to the hunting boundary.

Information on DEC Land adjacent to Plantations Natural Areas.

Hammond Hill State Forest (Slaterville 600)
Connecticut Hill Wildlife Mgmt. Area (Carter Creek)
Shindagin Hollow State Forest (Bald Hill)