On Eve Of Deer Hunting Season, Winner Urges Safety For Trail Users

Elmira, N.Y.-- In a nod to safety on the eve of the Southern Tier’s regular deer hunting season, State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) today said that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)has increased the number of safety warning signs posted along one popular stretch of the Catharine Valley Trail and will temporarily close a one-mile section of the trail in Schuyler County for approximately three weeks during the hunting season which begins at sunrise tomorrow andruns through sunset on Sunday, December 11th.

Winner also used today’s announcement to issue a general safety message to anyone and everyone planning to take to the woods this hunting season.

"It’s just common sense during the next three weeks of deer season that everyone utilizing woodland areas for recreation -- hunters, hikers, bicyclists and joggers included -- to wear hunter orange clothing. That’s the number one safety precaution that needs to be heeded," said Winner. "Public awareness is the overriding priority this time of year."

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries but studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than those who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season, people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related accident.

Winner said that safety needs to be stressed to everyone utilizing the region’s abundance of rural trails over the next three weeks. But he added that local sportsmen’s clubs that lease and hunt on property adjacent to the Catharine Valley Trail between the villages of Montour Falls in Schuyler County and Millport in Chemung County have raised particular concerns about the safety of trail users during deer season. Following a meeting organized by his office earlier this week, Winner said that an agreement was reached with the OPRHP to post additional safety warning signs along an approximately 8-mile stretch of the popular multi-use trail between the Genesee Street and Montour Falls Trailhead entrance and the Trail Kiosk in Millport. The signs, which will be bright yellow, will be placed at each trailhead and at every existing bench stop area along the way.

Additionally,the state will temporarily close a one-mile section of the trail commonly known as the "Lower Loop," which branches off the main trail not far from the Genesee Street and Montour Falls Trailhead entrance and courses through a densely wooded area bordered on each side by property leased by local sportsmen and used for deer hunting. The "Lower Loop" will be closed throughout this year’s regular deer hunting season.

Winner called public awareness paramount to overall safety this hunting season. He urged hunters, together with hikers and other trail users, to remain safety-conscious.

"I’m pleased that the state Office of Parks has heard the concerns raised by local sportsmen and will take these enhanced safety initiatives along the Catharine Valley Trail during this year’s hunting season, while continuing trail opportunities along the main portion of thetrail," Winner said.