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Deer Management
Deer Management Program
2022/2023 Deer Management The dramatic increase in the white-tailed deer population within the Town of Southold has resulted in widespread landscape damage and crop losses, as well as an increase in Lyme disease and deer/car collisions. Southold Town's Deer Management Program is the most efficient and effective means currently available for reducing Southold's deer population. In cooperation with the State, Southold participates in the NYSDEC Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and the NYSDEC Deer Damage Permit "Nuisance" Program (DDP). Through both of these programs, additional anterless deer tags are issued and only licensed resident bow hunters are eligible to participate.
Since the program's inception in 2008 the Southold Town Deer Management Program has recorded 3446 harvests. From these harvests the program has been able to donate over 80000 lbs. of usable venison to the NYS Venison Coalition as well as local residents.
In Southold Town, the uncontrolled explosion in the deer population has reached an emergency level according to the Southold White-tail Deer Management Plan (SWDMP).
The goal of the SWDMP is to restore balance and sustainability to the white-tailed deer population in Southold Town and reduce deer numbers and related problems to levels that a community can tolerate.
Southold Town Deer Count Application
This online web application was created in October of 2015. This application was created so that the public could easily share deer sightings across the North Fork. From the data collected using this application the Town of Southold can identify target areas to develop management plans. The success of this application relies a great deal on public input and efforts.
Deer Safety Reminder
Do you have too many Deer?
Information for Hunters
The 2022/2023 Southold Town Deer Management Packet includes an overview of the program and information for hunters, including rules of conduct. The Southold Town Deer Management Assistance Program currently spans 28 parcels totaling over 712 acres and the Deer Nuisance Program is conducted on a subset of these properties. The Southold Deer Management Program abides by all NYSDEC rules and regulations.
In total, there are 830 acres of government-owned lands within the Town of Southold that are periodically opened for deer management. For more information on hunting lands not owned by the Town of Southold, please contact Suffolk County and the Village of Greenport.
Season Dates and Management Areas
* Town-owned properties in the Deer Management Assistance Program are open October 1- January 31 (see map).
The Town has prepared an interactive map that can be accessed from any computer, smart phone or mobile device that has an internet connection.(see map)
Town-owned and jointly owned Town and County properties in the Deer Management Assistance Program are open October 1- January 31 (see map).
All Town-owned parcels in the Deer Management Program are open for hunting seven days a week.
* Sound View Dunes Park (Peconic), Arshamomaque Preserve at Chapel Lane (Southold), and Ruth Oliva Preserve at Dam Pond (East Marion) are jointly owned by the Town and County. Hunting and hiking are allowed concurrently.
* The Deer Nuisance Program allows for continued hunting on select parcels after the open deer hunting season is closed.
Local DEC Check Station
In cooperation with the NYSDEC, the Southold Town Recreation Center on Peconic Lane is a designated DEC Check Station (see hours of refrigerated truck below). To increase hunter participation and anterless deer harvest, bonus permits are available at this station, saving you the trip to Ridge.
Venison Donation Program
ALL hunters can donate their harvest at the Town’s refrigerated truck located at the Recreation Center on Peconic Lane, Peconic. Deer must be field-dressed and cleaned properly. The Town transports the donated deer to a facility where the meat is processed and distributed to local food pantries. Residents can also pick up a whole deer from the truck for free and have it butchered privately.
You may be able to use the donation receipt as a tax deductible donation in an amount allowable by law. For more information about charitable donations, please consult your tax professional. You may also learn more about charitable donations by visiting www.irs.gov.
Refrigerated Truck Dates and Hours
OCTOBER 2023
Closed Monday, Oct. 10th
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
SATURDAY 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM
SUNDAY 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM
NOVEMBER 2023
Closed Tuesday, Nov. 8; Friday; Nov. 11; Wednesday; Nov. 23 (PM); Thursday, Nov. 24; Friday, Nov 25
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
SUNDAY 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM
DECEMBER 2023
Closed Friday, Dec. 24 (PM); Monday, Dec. 26, Friday; Dec. 30 (PM)
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
SUNDAY 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM
JANUARY 2024
Closed Monday, Jan. 1
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Private Property Deer Management
As much of the land in Southold Town is privately owned, deer management by private landowners is extremely important in reducing the local deer population. If you have a parcel that routinely hosts a number of deer and you are interested in having a hunter hunt your property, please call us at (631) 765-1283 and we can assist you with contact information.
For additional information regarding Deer Population Management please visit the USDA website at New York Wildlife Services.