The bear tipped the scale at an estimated 750 pounds. Trophy deer in excess of 200 pounds with racks in the 10-point range are also common, especially in mountain regions where light hunting pressure and the terrain itself tend to produce an older deer population. More hunters work the lower elevations, in the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys or the southern portion of the Park, where the deer population tends to be larger as more food sources are available. The harsh conditions in the High Peaks region tend to keep the population in check. The largest canoe wilderness area in the East is in the western part of the Adirondack Park.
Some hunters travel by canoe to remote areas for a unique experience.
Again, the harsh conditions in areas of higher elevation result in fewer animals. Consider the wild turkey to illustrate this difference. An hour away, however, in the valley regions, the bird is a common sight. Since more than 50 percent of the Adirondack Park is privately owned, hunters need to be aware of the strict trespassing laws and obtain permission from the landowner to hunt on or pass through private land. Land that is posted with No Trespassing signs should be respected and not encroached upon.