DEC’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) allows eligible landowners to enhance deer management on their lands when additional antlerless deer need to be harvested to meet property-specific deer management objectives. The program allows landowners to address deer impacts to agriculture, forest regeneration, significant natural communities, and municipalities, or meet custom deer management objectives. Additional antlerless deer tags are provided to the landowner to distribute to licensed hunters utilizing their property during open deer hunting seasons.
To be eligible, landowners or their designated agent must submit a DMAP application (PDF) by Aug. 1 demonstrating that additional antlerless deer need to be harvested in order to address deer impacts or meet custom deer management objectives. Properties enrolled under the forest regeneration, significant natural communities, and custom deer management categories must meet minimum acreage requirements and/or submit a written management plan with their application.
Once approved, DMAP permits remain valid for five years, but annual reporting to DEC is required to remain in the program. Participating hunters must also submit a harvest report for each deer harvested using a DMAP tag. Visit DEC’s DMAP webpage to learn more about the program at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/white-tailed-deer/deer-management-conflict-avoidance/management-assistance-program
