ESFPA E-News

Silver Fly & Hemlock

A species of Silver Fly has maintained a self-sustaining population in the Lake George region and begun what may be some hope for fending off Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestations. A recent Lake George Mirror article reported on work of the NY Hemlock Initiative (NYHI) and success it is having.

This, together with successful populations in the Finger Lakes region, may have some biological breakthrough on this invasive pest.

Click the link below to read the full article:

DEC Finalizes Regulations on Antlerless Deer Takes

On June 17th DEC published in the State Register several changes to deer hunting regulations to increase harvest of antlerless (primarily female) deer and improve DEC’s ability to manage abundant deer populations. DEC is adopting several changes to increase opportunity for hunters to access and utilize Deer Management Permits (DMPs, antlerless deer tags) where most needed, including: 

• Adding 10 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs; 3P, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8H, 8R, 8S, and 9G) to the nine-day season for antlerless deer in mid-September.

• Designating 23 WMUs as having no DMP quota. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a DMP in a WMU with no DMP quota would be eligible to have the DMP automatically replaced. For 2026, WMUs 1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G will have no DMP quota.

• Modifying the DMP application process by allowing hunters to apply for up to 4 DMPs: 2 in WMUs with a quota and 2 DMPs in WMUs with no quota.

• Allowing unlimited transfer of DMPs between hunters.

This, together with legislation that passed both houses earlier this month on taking antlerless deer in the Northern Zone, expands significantly DEC's ability to manage deer populations statewide. The full text of the adopted regulation and a summary of DEC’s response to the common suggestions and concerns raised during the public comment period will be available on DEC’s website at time of publishing in State Register, Wednesday, July 1. Answers to commonly asked questions are available in the “Antlerless Deer Hunting Q & A” on DEC's website.

DEC Wetlands Jurisdictional Webinar

As we have reported, a New York Supreme Court decision in May overturned and put a stay on DEC's Freshwater Wetland Regulations for failure to comply to the State Environmental Quality Review Act in adopting the new rules and regulations. This has resulted in a significant curtailing of DEC's regulatory authority until the comply to SEQRA.

DEC will host a virtual information webinar “Changes to Freshwater Wetland Regulations” on Tuesday, June 23 at 11:00 AM. This session will cover recent changes to freshwater wetland regulations.

What to expect:

• An overview of the jurisdictional determination process.
• Practical examples of when to request jurisdictional determination.
• Information on available freshwater wetland general permits.

We encourage attendees to submit questions during registration to ensure we address your interests effectively. After the webinar, a recording will be posted on DEC's Freshwater Wetlands Jurisdictional Determination webpage for those who cannot attend. 

Click the link below to register for the webinar:

Reminder: NYS Log-A-Load for Kids

From Trevor Keough, Chairman of NYS Log-A-Load for Kids

As many of you know, Mark Mowrey has officially handed over the reins of Log-A-Load for Kids to me. It is a great honor, and I want to sincerely thank Mark for his years of dedicated service to such a meaningful cause.

As we look ahead, this is our opportunity as an industry to give back, make an impact, and truly change lives. I have always understood the importance of this cause, but as a new father, it has taken on an even deeper meaning. It brings greater passion, purpose, and energy.

Log-A-Load for Kids is more than an opportunity for our industry to come together. It is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families facing unimaginable challenges. As foresters, loggers, landowners, and industry professionals, we are always thinking about the next generation of forests we are managing. In the same way, this cause calls on us to support the next generation of people.

Our forests face constant pressure from pests, invasive species, deer browse, and more. The children we support through Log-A-Load face pressures far more serious. They are dealing with life-changing challenges that no child or family should face alone. This is where we step in.

While I am reaching out to each of you individually, I am also calling on our industry as a whole. Individually, we make an impact, but together, we become a movement. A movement that changes lives, strengthens our communities, and brings hope to those who need it most.

There is no denying that this has been a challenging year. Rising fuel costs, tighter markets, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariffs on forest products have impacted us all. Yet, in times like these, it is more important than ever that we come together. The challenges we face are real, but so are the needs of the families we are working to support.

A key purpose of this letter is to ask for your support, both through donations and through your engagement. I invite each of you to join this movement, to get involved, and to give back in whatever way you can.

As we approach Woodsmen’s Field Days, our largest fundraising event, we need your help. We are looking for volunteers to support the booth, donations for raffle items, and financial contributions to benefit the charity and the community. My personal goal this year is to raise $35,000 to donate directly to Log-A-Load for Kids.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to get involved. Your support, whether through time, resources, or leadership, will make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for your continued commitment to this important cause.