The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags will be available on Oct. 5 at Ancram Town Hall for this hunting season in Doodletown Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Columbia County. Individuals with a valid state hunting license can pick up their tags at a DEC booth in the town hall parking lot at 1416 County Route 7 in Ancram from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“The Deer Management Assistance Program is designed to advance site-specific deer management efforts,” Regional Director Anthony Luisi said. “Controlling the deer population in the Doodletown WMA allows the New England cottontail, a species of special concern in New York State, to regenerate in a forest habitat that supports its growth. This is also a great opportunity for hunters to take an additional deer while also helping with forest management.”

Doodletown WMA is 1,078 acres of primarily forested land located in the towns of Ancram, Taghkanic, and Gallatin. Its primary purposes are wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. For more information about Doodletown WMA, visit DEC's website.

Any tags remaining after Oct. 5 will be available for pick up at the DEC Region Four Headquarters, 1130 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY, 12306.

Please call ahead to inquire about remaining tags and arrange pick up at 518-357-2158.