Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Publicsafety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears DEC wildlife update: bird flu findings, deer numbers and concerns about proposed season extension
Summary
A report to the board described recent wildlife observations, including reports of dead eagles found with avian influenza and large goose counts; the speaker also raised concern that a proposed New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deer‑season extension to Jan. 31 could harm local snowmobile trail seasons and clubs.
A board member delivering a report from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation told the Livingston County Board of Supervisors that officials reported multiple wildlife incidents and raised concern about a proposed extension to the deer season.
"They found seven dead eagles with bird flu," the speaker said, and also described counts of more than 100 snow geese and many Canadian geese found in the region. The speaker noted the DEC is looking at the broader bird‑flu incident and that ducks appeared less affected in the local report.
The speaker also warned that a DEC proposal to extend the deer hunting season to Jan. 31 could conflict with the county’s snowmobile season and local trail use. The speaker said the proposal could shorten or eliminate the region’s snowmobile riding season and urged board members to consider the issue and its effects on snowmobile clubs and trail users. The speaker described local trail closures reported by DEC and urged county supervisors to give the topic attention.
The remarks were delivered during the county reports portion of the meeting. No formal action was taken; the item was raised for the board’s awareness and discussion.
