The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourages hunters to take advantage of this week’s antlerless deer season to help control high local populations of deer. The early season runs through Sept. 20.
On Friday, Ryan Rockefeller, DEC wildlife biologist for big game in Western New York, said this year all of Niagara County is included in the September antlerless hunting season, which focuses on harvesting does. Rockefeller said with deer populations high, especially along the Lake Plains, also hunting does is an effective strategy for returning the population to desired levels.