Hunting - Sullivan County Democrat

PA Game Commission Adopts Changes

The Pennsylvania Game Commission adopted season dates and bag limits for the coming year at its April meeting. They also approved some changes to the rules and regulations. Some significant … more

John S. Van Etten | 4/17/26

Delaware Valley Jr Rifle Club starts October 22

HORTONVILLE – The Delaware Valley Jr Rifle Club will start on Wednesday, October 22, at Earl Kinney Excavation on 35 Rock Avenue in Hortonville. The program is open to children ages 12 and up. … more

10/17/25

Conner Kurpil DeVoe Manell of Livingston Manor bagged this big gobbler during the Spring Turkey season. It weighed 21 lbs. with a 8.5-inch beard and 1.5” spurs.

Turkey season success

6/13/25

Jeffrey Meola harvested his turkey in the Town of Callicoon. The bird weighed in at 18.5 lbs, sported a 9.25-inch beard and the spurs measured in at 1 inch.

Spring 2025 Turkey season comes to an end

SULLIVAN COUNTY–– This past weekend marked the end of the 2025 Spring turkey season. The Democrat received several last minute submissions to wrap up a busy month. … more

Crystal Tweed | 6/6/25

Youth Turkey Hunt 2025

SULLIVAN COUNTY– The spring youth is a two-day weekend event for hunters ages 12-15 years old and takes place during the last weekend of April. The hunt is for turkeys only. Junior … more

Crystal Tweed | 5/30/25

Bart Rasnick of South Fallsburg harvested his second turkey of the Spring 2025 Turkey season – which runs the entire month of May. The big gobbler weighed 18.5 lbs, sported a 10-inch beard and had 1.25 inch spurs.

Judge Bart scores again

5/30/25

Young Hunters Shine at SCLB’s Annual Youth Turkey Hunt

SULLIVAN COUNTY –– The SCLB’s annual Youth Turkey Hunt, held April 26–27, gave young hunters ages 12–15 a memorable opportunity to take to the field … more

5/2/25

Caleb Rosales was mentored by Dale Englehardt when he successfully bagged this 13 lb., 8 oz. gobbler with a 5-inch beard during the recent youth hunt on Saturday, April 26. The duo was hunting on Sunrise Farm Hunting Club property.

Spring Turkey Season Opens May 1

NEW YORK STATE – Spring turkey season opens May 1 in all counties except for New York City and Nassau County. Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their hunting … more

4/29/25

NYS DEC HuntFishNY Program

Jonathan “JR” Russell and Anne McNamara, the folks that are in charge of the DEC Hunter Education Program (HEP) for our area, held their annual refresher course for instructors at the … more

John Van Etten | 4/4/25

NYS DEC Bear Harvest Report and Camp DeBruce Update

The NYS DEC has published their 2024 Bear Harvest Summary Report. There were an estimated 1,685 bear taken this past season, which is up 24% from 2023 and about 13% from the 10-year average. … more

John Van Etten | 3/14/25

Left to right: Butch Kortright, JJ Fancher and Donna Kortright.

Top honor given at NYS-National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet

BINGHAMTON– The NYS National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) held its annual leadership meeting and awards banquet last month in Binghamton. This event is structured to honor those … more

2/28/25

Left to right: Pat Cummins, Mike Depuy, Secretary of R & G Club, Jayden Siegler and Todd Brown.

Grahamsville Rod and Gun Club

Congratulations to the winners of the Grahamsville Rod and Gun Club Big Buck Contest! 1. Jayden Siegler- 64.25 2. Pat Cummins- 59 3. Todd Brown- 52 more

1/17/25

Paul VanValkenburg of Grahamsville was hunting in the Town of Denning on November 23 when he bagged this big 12-pointer. The buck had 24 and 23.125-inch beams to go with a 19.5-inch spread. It scored 78.625 to win the 51st Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest.

Democrat Big Buck winners announced

The 2024 rifle season is now over in both New York and Pennsylvania and Paul VanValkenburg of Grahamsville is the 51st Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Champion. His impressive … more

12/20/24

Dan DiFabio was hunting in the Town of Denning in Ulster County when he bagged an 11 pointer on November 21. The buck had an 18” spread and scored 76 in the Sullivan County Democrat’s 51st Annual Big Buck Contest.

Big Buck Contest

CALLICOON –– The Sullivan County Democrat is in it’s 51st season of its Annual Bick Buck Contest. Below is one of our latest entries and the current leaderboard. Dan is tied with … more

Crystal Tweed | 11/29/24

Collin Flynn was hunting in the Town of Shandaken in Ulster County when he bagged this beautiful 11-pointer on opening day. The buck had a 21” spread and scored 77.75 in the Sullivan County Democrat’s 51st Annual Big Buck Contest to take over first place.

New Leader in Democrat Big Buck

CALLICOON – Collin Flynn loves to be in the woods. From spring turkey hunting to fall whitetail deer season, he likes to spend as much time as possible enjoying the great outdoors. … more

11/26/24

The Sullivan County Long Beards picked up 130 frozen turkeys last Friday from Peck’s Market in Livingston Manor to distribute to various organizations throughout the county. Joining in the distribution were, front row, from the left: Lejon Viningre, Terri Specht, Randy Peers, Butch Kortright, Larry Whipple, Walter Zeitschel, Lori James, Mark Puerschner. Back row, from the left, are Eugene Adolph, Rich Decker, Chris Delong, Matthew Janik (Pecks Mkt), Greg Feeney, Dick Coombe.

Sullivan County Long Beards Annual Turkey Hunters Care Program

LIVINGSTON MANOR–– The Sullivan County Long Beards (SCLB) annual Thanksgiving turkey give away took place on Friday, November 15 at 11am at Peck’s Market in Livingston Manor. … more

By Donna Kortright | 11/19/24

Steven Duarte of Liberty harvested this beautiful nine-pointer last year, winning the 50th Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest with a score of 79.5. The buck earned Steven a free mount at Rod’s Taxidermy in Callicoon and last month he picked up the Democrat champion mount.

51st Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contests right around the corner

Callicoon – The 51st Annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contests will be starting soon as Opening Day of the Big Game firearm season starts next Saturday, November 16 in New York State. … more

11/8/24

Jim Newton of Livingston Manor downed this 9 pt. on November 2 at his camp near Randolph. Buck dressed 130 lbs and had an inside spread of 16”.

Big buck down

11/8/24

13th Annual Youth Buck Hunt Contest hosted by Sullivan County Long Beards

SULLIVAN COUNTY–– The Sullivan County Long Beards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Youth Buck Contest. The … more

10/22/24

Colleen Hirsch-Age 14, 8 pointer, .308 rifle, taken Saturday, 10/12 in The Beechwoods with dad, David Hirsch. This is her 3rd year in a row bagging a Buck during the youth hunt.

Youth Buck Hunting Is a Family Affair

During the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ three-day weekend, the DEC provides a special youth deer season. Junior hunters between the ages of 12-15 are eligible to take one antlered or … more

Crystal Tweed | 10/22/24

The Kaufman family presents a check to the MHS Trap Team.

Kaufman Family Patriarch Honored at Sullivan County Conservation Club

SULLIVAN COUNTY-On Thursday, October 10th, the Kaufman Family honored the memory of family patriarch, Norman Kaufman, in a ceremony at the Sullivan County Conservation Club. … more

By Jay Mendels | 10/18/24

Delaware Valley Jr Rifle Club Starts October 16

HORTONVILLE– The Delaware Valley Jr Rifle Club will start on Wednesday, October 16 at Earl Kinney Excavation on 35 Rock Avenue in Hortonville. The program is open to children ages 12 and up. … more

10/11/24

Youth Buck Hunt Contest, October 12-14

SULLIVAN COUNTY -- It’s that time of year again! The “Youth Buck” contest sponsored annually by the Sullivan County Long Beards, will be held during the Youth Hunt, October 12, 13, … more

10/11/24