WCDO Radio News

State DEC announced several changes to deer hunting regulations to increase harvest of female deer and improve DEC’s ability to manage abundant deer populations. Under the new system, all hunters will receive a first Antlered Deer Tag which can be used during any season, except the September antlerless season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer, will be eligible to receive a second Antlered Deer Tag, More information is available at dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 40 year old Barbara Brooke Walley, who is wanted on a Bench Warrant issued by Delaware County Court. Walley is a 5'2" tall white female with brown hair and green eyes, Anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of this person, please contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at (607)832-5555 or “Submit a Tip” via our Sheriff’s APP.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-17-26

SFCU has recently presented a $20,000 donation to the United Way Mid Rural NY, supporting efforts to improve access to dental care for children across Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Madison counties. SFCU President & CEO JIm Reynolds comments;

(Jim Reynolds 6-17-26)

Reynolds said that access to dental care remains a significant challenge in many rural communities, where provider shortages and transportation barriers exist, More information about the SFCU 1 Million Reasons initiative is available at sfcuonline.org/1millionreasons.

The State DEC announced another year of safe hunting, nearly 600,000 New Yorkers participate annually, The 2025 hunting season was the safest in New York’s recorded history. The total number of hunting-related shooting incidents was 7, 5 of which were self-inflicted and 2 involved more than one person. 1 incident involved an unlicensed individual who was hunting illegally, DEC also documented 9 falls from tree stands or elevated platforms, including one fatality.

PAK Construction and other area businesses are teaming up for the 5th Annual Guilford Roads Clean up Day on April 11th. Paul Knowles of PAK Construction of Guilford explains:

(Paul Knowles 3-24-26)

Residents of Guilford, Rockdale, Mount Upton, & Rockwells Mills are encouraged to clean up trash they find on the roadside, bring in 2 bags to PAK on County Road 36 on Saturday April 11th, more information is available at the Town of Guilford Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-24-26

The State DEC reported that Hunters harvested an estimated 1,759 black bears across New York during the 2025-26 hunting seasons, which was one of the highest totals in State History. DEC Officials said that the 2025 bear harvest was second only to the 2003 season. The Southern Zone accounted for an estimated 1,202 bears, The Northern Zone saw 557 bears harvested, which was slightly lower than 2024 but still above the 10-year average.

State DEC announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York, where the requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived. The next Free Fishing days will be this weekend February 14–15, as well as on June 27–28, September 26 for National Hunting and Fishing Day, and November 11 for Veterans Day. More information is available at the dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/decals.

The State DEC announced that the State's most popular big game hunting season begins on Saturday, November 15 and continues through December 7th. The DEC is encouraging all hunters to take steps to remain safe, Most hunting-related injuries occur when hunters are climbing in and out of a tree stand. Hunters must wear fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothing (either a hat, vest, or jacket which are visible in all directions) when pursuing deer or bear with a firearm, and should always follow the basic rules of firearm safety:

The State DEC announced that Saturday will be the next Free Fishing Day in the State, it coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was designated by Congress in 1972. Visit dec.ny.gov for more information

The State DEC announced that small game hunting and furbearer trapping seasons for the 2025–26 license year are now open or will open soon across New York. Most small game and furbearer seasons open between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, depending on species and zone. Full season dates, bag limits, and regulations are published in the 2025–26 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Guide at dec.ny.gov.

The State DEC announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2025-26 season are now on sale. Licenses and permits can be purchased online, at any of DEC's license-issuing agents, or by telephone at 866-933-2257. Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.

The State DEC announced several proposed regulation changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new deer hunting opportunities. First, DEC proposes a process for using electronic carcass tags for deer, bear, and turkey. Second, DEC proposes to provide a replacement regular season deer tag to youth hunters who successfully use that tag during the Youth Big Game Hunt weekend. Finally, DEC also proposes to enhance the Deer Management Assistance Program by extending the permit renewal cycle from 3 years to 5 years, More information is available at the the DEC website.

The State DEC announced that hunters in New York harvested an estimated 1,685 bears during the 2024 hunting season, which was 24% higher than 2023 and approximately 13% higher than the five- and 10-year averages, an estimated 1,028 bears came here in the Southern Zone.

State Officials report that there have been relatively few incidents during this year's Deer Hunting Season, they did report that a 17 year old accidentally shot himself in the foot Saturday Morning in Oneida County, he was taken to a Syracuse hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The State DEC announced that regular Firearms Season for Deer & Bear Hunting in the Southern Zone begins this Saturday through December 8th. An estimated 470,000 licensed hunters will be participating, New York is currently experiencing active wildfires, so hunters should check fire danger maps at dec.ny.gov before heading out, the DEC Encourages Hunters to Test Deer for Chronic Wasting Disease this year as well.

The State DEC is investigating the possibility of White Tail Deer in New York State possibly suffering from Chronic Wasting disease, after 1 deer in Herkimer County tested positive for the fatal disease last month. The DEC Statement said that the disease is always fatal, and can spread through certain Deer & Moose populations, they will continue to monitor as hunting season approaches.

State DEC announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2024-25 season are now on sale. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at any of DEC's license issuing agents or by telephone at 866-933-2257. Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

The State DEC released hunting safety statistics for the 2023 seasons , there were 12 incidents during the hunting seasons, tying with 2019 for the 2nd fewest hunting-related shooting incidents on record. The 12 Shooting Incidents recorded in 2023 include 6 two-party firearm incidents and 6 self-inflicted incidents; 2 of the shootings resulted in fatalities.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the 6 designated Free Fishing Days in New York will take place on this weekend, February 17 to 18, plus June 29 to 30, September 28, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day and November 11 Veterans Day. During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-16-24

Over 2500 NYSEG customers were without power in Broome, Chenango & Delaware Counties early this morning, due to the high winds knocking down tree limbs & Power lines, crews are trying to restore power as soon as possible.

State Police & Local Law Enforcement Agencies are reminding the public to remember to lock your car doors. Numerous reports of criminals stealing from unlocked cars have been reported to Police across the region, they also remind people this holiday season to never leave valuables in plain site inside the passenger compartment of a parked vehicle.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-22-23

The State Department of Environmental Conversation announced that a 72 year old New Jersey man has died. On November 18, at around 10:45 pm, Forest Rangers responded to a call for an overdue hunter in the Town of German, after a member of their hunting party never returned, Members of local law enforcement, Forest Rangers & 1st responders found the man deceased at about 3:00 AM.

Delaware County Sheriff Office announced that 2 Walton juveniles were arrested regarding an Environmental Conservation complaint. On October 17th, Deputies located a vehicle parked in the roadway in the Town of Walton, unoccupied and nobody around the vehicle, they located hunting equipment in plain view inside the vehicle, they located multiple juveniles in a field nearby along with a recently killed deer. The Department of Environmental Protection seized the deer and the juveniles were turned over to the care of their parents. This week Deputies arrested the 2 juveniles, ages 16 and 17 of Walton, for multiple violations of the State Environmental Conservation Law, the juveniles were directed to appear at Delaware County Probation to answer the charges.

The State DEC announced the 2022 hunting season tied 2021 for being the safest-ever year. There were a total of 9 accidental shootings recorded in 2022, with 1 fatality. After analyzing the shootings, the DEC found all shooters had an average 30 years of hunting experience. every incident would have been prevented if those hunters followed the correct safety rules as taught in Safety courses.

The State DEC announced that remaining Deer Management Permits in several Wildlife Management Units will be available to hunters starting Tomorrow. Deer management Permits allows hunters to harvest antlerless deer, in Specific Wildlife Management Units to control deer populations. More information is available at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.

The State DEC announced that open hunting seasons are starting up. Hunting season begins for Squirrel and Canada goose today, with early bear and antlerless deer seasons starting on September 10th, in certain wildlife management units. More information is available at the State DEC website.

The State DEC reported that there were over 211,000 deer harvested during the 2021-22 hunting season, which is a 17% decrease from the previous Hunting Season's numbers. Officials said that some reasons for the decline was the resurgence of a Disease in Deer in certain regions of the State and the overall lower number of Deer Management Permits that were granted to prospective hunters. The full deer harvest in the State can be found at dec.ny.gov.

Authorities in Pennsylvania are looking for 42 year old Jeffrey Johnson of Hancock. The Wayne County Drug Task Force announced that Johnson is facing charges of possession of weapons of mass destruction, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Risking Catastrophe, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and a variety of game violations. Law Enforcement officials said that during their search for Johnson, they discovered white-tailed deer hanging in the backyard with no visible harvest tags, they also discovered deer & wild turkey parts, and the remains of black bear, they also discovered a pipe bomb, rifles, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia, Johnson did not have a hunting license and was not permitted to own firearms. The Scranton bomb squad was notified and detonated the bomb on location. Anyone with information about Johnson's whereabouts are asked to contact the Wayne County Communications Center at (570) 253-3109.

State DEC announced that the 2021 hunting seasons in New York were the safest ever, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents since record-keeping began. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents in 2021, including 1 fatality. 7 of the 9 incidents in 2021 were two-party firearm incidents; two incidents were self-inflicted. All identified shooters were experienced hunters with an average of 40 years of hunting experience, All incidents could have been prevented if those involved followed hunting safety rules.

The State's 1st Free Fishing Weekend of 2022, on February 19 and 20, when freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license. Additional free fishing days include June 25 and 26, September 24 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). During free fishing days, residents and visitors can fish for free on any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.

Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to take advantage of the State's first Free Fishing Weekend of 2022, this Saturday & Sunday, February 19 and 20, when freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license. Additional free fishing days include June 25 and 26, September 24 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). During free fishing days, residents and visitors can fish for free on any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.

The State DEC announced that the 2020-21 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York's Southern Zone will begin at sunrise this Saturday, and continue through Sunday, December 13th. Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bow-hunting, and muzzle-loading seasons will run from December 14th through the 22nd. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bow-hunting or muzzle-loading privileges. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo announced that New York residents can fish for free on Saturday, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Freshwater Fishing in New York Generates Estimated $2.14 Billion in Economic Activity Annually, Supports Nearly 11,000 Jobs Statewide

The State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that several small game hunting seasons will open October 1st across the State, including special youth hunts and new hunting opportunities for active-duty military members and veterans.    Season dates, bag limits, and other hunting regulations for New York's small game species are available at dec.ny.gov.

State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that the sale of big game hunting and trapping licenses has hit an all-time record in 2020, and were triple last year’s numbers.  Part of the success was due to the State’s newly launched automated system for selling fishing, hunting and trapping licenses, which went live in July, and was activated for big game license sales and Deer Management Permits on August 10.  More information is available at dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 9-10-20

Delaware County is reporting no new positive test results for COVID-19 and no additional recoveries today. The known active cases in the County as of today remains 6, all are recovering at home. To date there have been 114 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 69 people now under mandatory quarantine, 6 people have died and 102 have fully recovered.