Interesting visitor

[tranquility]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to post these pics we took of a sweet little visitor to our birdfeeder the other day. This feeder is only about 10' from the window of our breakfast nook. She stayed there for at least 15 minutes after I spotted her - no telling how long she'd been there before that. It's a good thing our dog (the smooth collie you see in my avatar) was in the house! Not that he's ever chased deer before, but that would've been awfully tempting.

At the same time as this deer was here, a beautiful male cardinal landed on the feeder above her head - we tried to get a picture but couldn't get the camera ready in time - what a shot that would've been.

On a similar note, I was just wondering if any of you who live in the northern part of the state have seen any blue jays lately? We always had them at our feeders in the winter, but it dawned on me the other day that it's been a long time since we've seen any. I really like them, and it worries me a little that they're not around any more.

Have a great week!

Debbie

[chairrock]

It is getting to be the hardest time of the year for the deer. Their fat reserves are deleted and there isn't much in the way of browse. Do you get many bears at the feeder? We have that problem in the summer.

[timetohike]

Nice picture, but the DEC prohibits feeding of deer.

Quote from the DEC Deer Feeding Regulations Page:


"Can other wildlife, like songbirds, still be fed?

Yes, if deer are not attracted to the food, or it is inaccessible to deer."

[redhawk]

Nice picture, but the DEC prohibits feeding of deer.

Quote from the DEC Deer Feeding Regulations Page:


"Can other wildlife, like songbirds, still be fed?

Yes, if deer are not attracted to the food, or it is inaccessible to deer."

So, if you buy food that is in a bag that says "Rabbit Pellets" and an illiterate deer eats it, is that a violation?

[Edelweiss]

The deer who frequent our neighborhood love to sample our shrubs but also enjoy the tender shoots which are beginning to erupt under the leaves in the forest behind our house. They make the rounds of possible food-foraging areas, usually arriving at our house in late afternoon, when I managed this shot.

[Mavs00]

Nice picture, but the DEC prohibits feeding of deer.

Quote from the DEC Deer Feeding Regulations Page:


"Can other wildlife, like songbirds, still be fed?

Yes, if deer are not attracted to the food, or it is inaccessible to deer."

You must be joking? right?

[ADKHUNTER]

Nice picture, but the DEC prohibits feeding of deer.

Quote from the DEC Deer Feeding Regulations Page:


"Can other wildlife, like songbirds, still be fed?

Yes, if deer are not attracted to the food, or it is inaccessible to deer."

Looks to me like it was the birds feeding the deer not the homeowner.

[timetohike]

You must be joking? right?

I'm just posted a quote from the DEC web site - perhaps the DEC is joking about it. I don't know.

I do know they are very serious about the deer feeding regulations. They prosecuted a woman in Erie County and she got jail time for violating the regulations.

Deer Lady Gets Jail Time - north country Gazette Article

Hey, don't shoot the messenger.

More info on that case:

1. She appealed her conviction all the way to the NYS Court of Appeals (the highest court in NYS). the court refused to hear her appeal.

2. the town attorney who prosecuted that case is now the town justice.

[timetohike]

So, if you buy food that is in a bag that says "Rabbit Pellets" and an illiterate deer eats it, is that a violation?

I don't know, but the DEC regs require sellers of all domestic and wildlife feed to post the following:

(2) No person shall offer for retail sale feed for domestic livestock or wildlife unless a sign, provided by the Department, is prominently displayed and visible to the public on the premises where such feed is being offered for sale. Such sign shall read as follows, and may be obtained by download from the Department's website at www.dec.state.ny.us or by calling the nearest regional DEC office:

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS

It is illegal to feed wild white-tailed deer in New York State. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has imposed a prohibition on the feeding of wild white-tailed deer in order to prevent the introduction or spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (6 NYCRR Part 189). Any feed for domestic livestock or wildlife sold on this premises is not intended for use in feeding or attracting wild white-tailed deer. Any person found feeding wild white-tailed deer will be subject to prosecution by the DEC. Information on Chronic Wasting Disease and DEC's regulations may be obtained from the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us or by calling your nearest regional DEC office.

[1894]

But it's OK to do this on your own property.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7205.html

[timetohike]

But it's OK to do this on your own property.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7205.html

Yes, "Cutting of trees and brush" to feed deer is an exception to the prohibitions on feeding deer. It is not limited to cutting on your own property, but if you start cutting trees and brush on public lands you would probably be violating other laws.

another exception is:

"(2) by planting, cultivating or harvesting of crops directly associated with bona fide agricultural practices, including planted wildlife food plots"

I'm not sure what the means. I assume it means you can engage in growing wildlife food for resale.

[chairrock]

A wildlife food plot is patch of varying size planted with something the deer like to eat. You are not allowed to hunt over it.

[ADKHUNTER]

A wildlife food plot is patch of varying size planted with something the deer like to eat. You are not allowed to hunt over it.

Thats news to me. I don't think food plots are considered baiting. Is it specified anyplace or is this a grey area?

ED

[ellsaf]

I think we need to start a Post Traumatic Over-Regulation Fatigue clinic.

[timetohike]

A wildlife food plot is patch of varying size planted with something the deer like to eat. You are not allowed to hunt over it.

Which leaves me wondering about the deer feeding regulations. I can cut trees and brush to attract and feed deer. I can plant crops specifically designed to attract and feed deer. But if I erect a bird feeder and it attracts deer then I could be fined and jailed.

The DEC website states that I can only feed birds "if deer are not attracted to the food or it is inaccessible to deer." That seems to put all risk of feeding birds on the property owner. That seems a little over regulated in light of the crops and cutting allowance.