DEC to Operate Deer and Bear Check Station on Opening Weekend of Regular Big Game Season

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today encouraged hunters to visit the Region 9 deer and bear check station on Route 16 in the town of Holland, Erie County, during the opening weekend of the regular big game season. 

“Hunters in Western New York who visit briefly the check station can help inform DEC's big game harvest research and provide DEC with valuable biological data to study the region's big game populations,” said DEC Region 9 Wildlife Manager Anne Rothrock. “DEC staff also enjoy the opportunity to interact with hunters and hear about their opening weekend experiences.”  

DEC's Region 9 check station will operate Saturday, November 21, from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The check station is located on Route 16, heading northbound about one mile south of the town of Holland, Erie County. Hunters are encouraged to bring harvested deer and bear to the check station where DEC staff will determine age and collect biological and harvest information.  
 
DEC is encouraging hunters to Choose a Doe this hunting season. Deer populations within many areas remain high and DEC is asking hunters to harvest female deer to help control the population of white-tailed deer on the landscape. If hunters take extra deer this year, they can donate their harvest to Feeding New York State or the Venison Donation Coalition and may drop off a deer at the Holland check station during hours of operation. Additional information about how to donate venison can be found in DEC’s annual Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on DEC’s website.  

Hunter participation in check stations is voluntary and helps DEC gather valuable data to assess the status of the area's big game population. DEC also collects biological and harvest information from thousands of deer across the state each year by visiting facilities that process the venison for hunters.  

Report Your Harvest   

“Paper Tags: Take it, Tag it, Report it!”   

“E-tags: Take it, Report it, Tag it if You Leave it!”  

DEC reminds New York State hunters of the importance of reporting their harvest. Harvest reporting is critical to wildlife management. E-tag users harvesting a deer, bear, or turkey must immediately electronically “tag” the animal by reporting the harvest through the HuntFishNY mobile app. You do not need to attach anything to the carcass while in possession of it, including in your vehicle and at home. However, if the carcass is not in the hunter’s possession, they must attach to the carcass a tag of their making that includes their name, hunter ID number, and reporting confirmation number (available in the mobile app). 

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