NEWS
Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Attention Deer Hunters Leftover DMPs Now Available
Although several noted reports of the season being off to a slow start in some valley towns in Greene County, Frank Algozine, of Cairo, says its been busy in his neck of the woods. He shot this beautiful ten point buck on the second day of the season on Sunday morning. It was taken with one shot from his Savage 110 bolt action in 25-06 at 225 yards using hand loaded 100 grain TTSX boattail ballistic tips. Frank reports the rut has been full-on by him as he's observed mating and other rut activity when he shot his buck on Sunday and again on Wednesday, November 19th.
DEC just announced leftover Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are being offered to hunters even though the original application deadline has passed. Wildlife biologists determined certain Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) had been under-subscribed calling for a second round of opportunity for hunters to obtain a DMP. They found the number of permits issued in certain WMUs will likely result in antlerless deer harvests below their objective to maintain a healthy and safe deer population in specified locations across the state. This gives hunters another chance to fill their freezer while helping to manage higher than desired deer populations in certain areas.
Attention Deer Hunters – Leftover DMPs Are Available
DEC announced it has leftover Deer Management Permits (DMPs) allowing hunters a second chance to apply for a DMP even though its past the statewide application deadline of October 1st. The DMPs are available in selected Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and will allow hunters another chance to contribute to the state’s deer population management.
DEC says, “We still have a pile of leftover tags in WMUs throughout the state after the initial application period, and these DMPs will now be available on a first come, first served basis. Hunters may apply for and receive up to two additional DMPs. Applications can be made at license issuing agent locations and are free for hunters who previously applied for DMPs this year; otherwise the fee is $10.”
General consensus in the valley towns in Greene County is the season has been off to a slow start. That doesn’t mean it won’t pick up or that some real nice bucks haven’t been harvested, but anecdotally, hunters interviewed report seeing less bucks on the landscape in many valley locations. All the more reason to consider applying for a leftover DMP and maybe even making a road trip to an under-subscribed WMU to harvest a doe for your or a neighbor’s freezer. You never know, a change of scenery while doing a good deed may lead to harvesting that big buck after you’ve taken an antlerless deer on a leftover DMP!
LEFTOVER DMPS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING WMUS:
1C
3F, 3G, 3J, 3M, 3N, 3P, 3R, 3S
4J
6P
7F, 7H, 7J, 7R
8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S
9A, 9F, 9G
(Updated 11/18/2025)
The second chance DMPs available closest to our area are in 3H, 3J, and 4J, located in Sullivan, Ulster, and Albany Counties. (*WMU 4J in Albany County is its archery-only section.)
To avoid inadvertently breaking game laws, check the specific boundaries of each WMU prior to hunting as it can get confusing. Use DEC’s mapping and description tools available on their website to assist in making sure of WMU boundaries.
Here are a Few Ways to View WMU Boundaries:
View or print a map of WMU boundaries (PDF) overlaid on a map of NYS cities and towns.
View WMUs on DECinfo Locator by turning on the Wildlife Management Unit layer under Outdoor Activities.
View WMUs on Google Earth (this requires you to install an app on your computer or mobile device).
View WMUs on an ESRI map (this works well on a large screen device).
Legal road/landmark descriptions of each unit boundary can be found under 6 CRR-NY 4.1 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.
For questions and more information, you can also call DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife at
Getting a second chance to apply for a DMP provides a great opportunity to shoot a doe to feed your family or donate to those in need.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!
News and Notes
Earlton Fish & Game Club Opening Day Hunter's Breakfast a Success
I’m happy to report the Earlton Fish & Game Club’s Opening Day Hunter's Breakfast held on Saturday, November 15th, 2025 was a resounding success. The breakfast was very well-attended and hunters and non-hunters alike were generous during the free-will offering event. Earlton Fish & Game President, Brian McNulty thanks all the volunteers as well as attendees who made the event and its success possible. Brian invites everyone to lookout for the event once again on opening day next year.
Remember to report poaching and polluting violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.