Dick Nelson in the Register Star reports that deer hunting season in New York is half over, and early statistics show a smaller kill this year. “From the start of regular gun season through the second weekend the reported take of female deer is down three percent and reported take of male deer is down 11 percent this year compared to 2014,” Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman Lori Severino said. Nelson says he's heard ancedotal evidence of fewer shots being fired in local woods. The season ends on Dec. 13, and a full report from the DEC won't be available until later. Read the full story in the Register-Star.