oW HANCOCK EST.1 1806  TOWN OF HANCOCK 661 West Main Street Hancock, NY 13783 607 637-3651 607 637-4617 fax hancockny.org  Samuel N. Rowe Jr., Supervisor W.Jerry Vernold, Deputy Supervisor James M. Gardner, Councilman Patrick. J. O'Brien, Councilman Paul A Vetrone, Councilman July 19, 2016 Dear Town Supervisor:  Ann L. Green, Town Clerk Leonard E SienkoJr., Attorney Neil B. Emerich,Jr., Hwy Superintendent  Ihave been in contact with Larry Bafaro of NYS DEC regarding the possibility of making wildlife management units 40 and 4W part of the Southern Zone Early Bear Season. He said this is something that he has been working on and he feels having the support of the surrounding Towns would only help his effort. The increased bear population has created increased amount of nuisance complaints and safety issues. The increase in economic benefit would also be significant. As such, we are asking the NYSDEC to consider making wildlife management units 40 and 4W part of the Southern Zone Early Bear Season next According to the NYS DEC 2015 Black Bear Harvest report, of the 10 WMU's currently making up the Southern Zone Early Bear Season, only two have a higher total than 4W. The Towns of Hancock, #1 with 47, and Colchester, #5 with 23 are among the top 5 Townships in NYS. With Hancock very nearly doubling #2 Wawarsing's total of23.After the extreme winter two years ago the deer population suffered significant decline and removing some of these bears Therefore, I am asking if your Town would adopt a resolution supporting this request and send it back to me by the end of August. My email address is depsupehancock.net if that would be more convenient. I will then hand-carry all  year.  will help the deer herd rebound.  oft the resolutions to Stamford. Thank you for your ânticipated support.  Sincerely, Wy Mnple w.Serry Vernold, Deputy Supervisor