It’s nearly December in the Sullivan Catskills and, aside from looking forward to the holidays fast approaching, there is something else that is always at the forefront of our minds this time of year.  

Deer.

These honored, four-legged mammals take center stage this time of year for a couple of different reasons.

The first is rifle season. Hunters across the area are out in abundance getting some impressive takes. This is evident in our sports section, which contains dozens of photos and a constantly updated leaderboard for our Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), deer are by far the most popular game animal in the state, and over 550,000 people buy licenses each year for an opportunity to hunt them.

“Hunters from all walks of life will be out looking to fill freezers and capture memories,” the DEC said in their hunting and trapping newsletter. “Some hunters will be headed to a tent camp in the state’s wilderness areas or staying with family in a simple cabin on a few acres in farm country. Some hunters will be trying to get a deer in the few hours they have between work shifts and others will be taking advantage of the precious few weekends during the season. Some hunters will be entering their first deer season and others will be living their last.”

We know how important these time-honored traditions are to the history and culture of our area and to the families who participate in them every year. With that in mind, we wish you an enjoyable and safe hunting season. 

If you’re not a hunter, keeping your eyes open for deer is important for a whole other reason. 

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the DEC are reminding drivers that deer become more active and are more likely to enter public roadways in the fall. 

During the months of October, November, and December, it is breeding season for deer and the animals are more visible. 

According to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, 41 percent of the crashes in 2021 between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month span.

So just as we wish hunters a safe season, we wish the same to motorists. Decreasing your speed and eliminating distracted driving could help avoid a serious accident.