NY S09475

Establishes an urban deer management pilot program in Syracuse allowing certified nuisance wildlife specialists to obtain deer cull permits from the Department of Environmental Conservation when deer are found to be a nuisance or threat to public health and property.

Requires certified nuisance wildlife specialists to meet minimum standards including marksmanship certification, liability insurance coverage, and reporting requirements, and must be employees or contractors of federal or state government responsible for wildlife management.

Modifies existing environmental conservation law to permit certified specialists with cull permits to use salt licks, set traps, entice deer with artificial lights, use jacklights/spotlights, take wildlife from public highways, and discharge firearms near structures—activities normally prohibited—when authorized by their site-specific deer management plan and with local law enforcement participation.

Requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to submit a report to the governor and legislature within 30 months evaluating the program's effectiveness in addressing deer overpopulation and property damage, including deer population estimates, number of permits issued, and deer taken.

Expires and is repealed three years after the effective date of January 1 following enactment.