A close look at previous DMU maps show that the region in question is referred to as the Lake Ontario Plains and the St. Lawrence River Valley and includes most of the low-lying portions of Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Lewis and Oswego counties. Apparently, for the first time in the history of deer hunting in New York state, the use of deer management permits will be allowed in that portion of the Northern Zone where the deer herd has increased substantially. Incidentally, application booklets will soon be mailed out to hunters who applied for a DM permit last year. The deadline for all DM permit applications is Sept. 11, 1998. According to the WLFA and the WCFA, anti-hunters are attempting to put animal rights advocates in charge of state fish and wildlife conservation.
Sportsmen nationwide have a stake in the proper management of fish and wildlife.
The antis want as much authority as the hunters who have been paying for conservation for years. This could soon change. The Fund for Animals of New York has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Louisville, Ky., challenging the process used to select members of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission. Normally, potential candidates for the commission are nominated by hunting, fishing and boating license holders. Five nominees are then sent to the governor who makes the appointments.