(WNY News Now) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) urges hunters to voluntarily participate in check stations on Route 16 in Holland, Erie County, during the opening weekend of the regular big game season, providing valuable biological data crucial for assessing the region’s big game population.
Holland – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is actively encouraging hunters to engage with deer and bear check stations on Route 16 in the town of Holland, Erie County, during the opening weekend of the regular big game season. The DEC’s Region 8 office in Avon will also be available for hunters throughout the entire hunting season. The voluntary participation in these check stations contributes essential data for the DEC to assess and manage the area’s big game population effectively.
Anne Rothrock, DEC Region 9 Wildlife Manager, emphasized the significance of hunter participation in check stations, stating, “In just a few minutes, hunters in Western New York who visit the check station can provide DEC with valuable biological data that will help big game harvest estimations and management of the region’s big game populations. DEC staff also enjoy the opportunity to interact with hunters and hear about their opening weekend experiences.”
The DEC’s Region 9 check station will be operational on Saturday, Nov. 18, from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is conveniently located on Route 16, heading northbound about one mile south of the town of Holland, Erie County. Hunters are encouraged to bring their harvested deer and bear to the check station, where DEC staff will assess age and collect crucial biological and harvest information.
Continuing a tradition from previous years, hunters interested in donating their harvest to “Hunters Helping the Hungry” can drop off a deer at the Holland check station before 6 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 19. This initiative, sponsored by the Venison Donation Coalition, allows hunters to contribute nearly 40 tons of venison each year to needy families across the state in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, non-profit organizations like Feeding New York State’s regional food banks, and deer processors.
Hunters in DEC Region 8 can take advantage of deer check and aging services at the Region 8 office located at 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414, throughout the entire deer hunting season. Although no formal check station is planned for the opening weekend of the regular season, hunters are welcome to bring harvested deer to the office where staff will provide check and aging services. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
DEC emphasizes the importance of reporting harvests promptly within seven days of taking the animal. Hunters can utilize DEC’s HuntFishNY mobile app, which provides a convenient and efficient way to report deer, bear, and turkey harvests while in the field. While the phone reporting system remains an option, online and mobile systems offer a faster and more accurate method for hunters to input information.
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