First-light

I don't see anything wrong with killing it. Its just that when mounted hanging on your wall, the story that goes along with the kill will be let down.

Albany, N.Y. -- New York's decision to ban fracking because of health concerns has raised a number of questions about what happens next. Here are some of the questions and the best answers we could put forth today. What happens to landowners who have leases with gas companies? Nothing right now. The leases, which generally have time limits, will continue to stay in effect or end on their scheduled expiration dates. "It will not have a direct impact," said Joe Heath, a Syracuse lawyer who has worked with landowners who wanted to end their leases. One wrinkle is a case now pending before the state Court of Appeals over whether drilling companies can extend leases beyond their expiration date because New York had stalled in making a fracking decision. Landowners who sued to break those leases won in federal court, but the case has been moved to New York's highest court. Heath said he hopes the state's decision will prompt drilling companies to stop fighting to keep alive leases that landowners want to end. Will this decision be challenged in court? Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it's likely there will be lawsuits. The challenge could come from landowners who want to tap into the gas below their property, or from the oil companies that have paid for leases on that land. "I certainly think someone will file a lawsuit challenging this," said Brian Sampson, president of the Empire Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors. "I certainly think if you're a landowner in the Southern Tier, the state has just made a decision that will prevent you from benefiting from the riches that are below your feet. Binghamton lawyer Scott Kurkoski, who represented Southern Tier landowners seeking better terms on their leases, said it's too early to tell if the group will sue. "We'll have to see," Kurkoski said. Albany lawyer Tom West, whose clients include a gas company and landowner who sued to overturn town zoning bans, said it's too early to tell if gas companies will bother to sue after the long delay and today's decision. "Nobody cares about New York state," West said. "The industry has moved out and written this state off as a bunch of environmental extremists. They're not likely to invest in litigation." The American Petroleum Institute said it will "continue to fight" to bring fracking's benefits to New York, but didn't say whether it would sue. Will landowners be compensated for losing their drilling rights? Probably not. Banning fracking wouldn't rise to the level of what lawyers call a "taking," in which landowners must be compensated by government action that diminishes the value of their property. "A taking is basically removing all economic value of your property," Heath said. "A taking claim on this decision would not do well in court." The fracking ban will prevent drillers from using what is formally known as high-volume hydraulic fracturing, in which millions of gallons of water is shut underground at high pressure into deep layers of rock that contains natural gas. Other forms of gas drilling are still legal in New York, including traditional vertical wells that tap into pockets of natural gas, Heath said.

Hunting is my escape a place to let it all go for a few days. Talk about the outdoors, my camp and make some new friends. I have directed people for many years now. I make sure none of that enters my head when up at camp. Hell my boss comes up with his boy a few times a year and I can count on 1 hand how many times we talk about work. I shut work out and it works for me. It also depends what type of person you are and how you handle things, some people can't do this.

Been following this for a long time. That pretty much sums it up.

Nice!

Didn't hear back yet. Will ping them today.

Fried Calamari and chunks of fried Striped Bass. All of this served with linguini and clam sauce.

Thought and prayers. Florida cop was killed also yesterday.

The fracking ban will prevent drillers from using what is formally known as high-volume hydraulic fracturing, in which millions of gallons of water is shut underground at high pressure into deep layers of rock that contains natural gas. Other forms of gas drilling are still legal in New York, including traditional vertical wells that tap into pockets of natural gas, Heath said. The shallow fracking will still be allowed in the state.

Not logging but you can't compare the two. I think logging would be beneficial to the eco system. Fracking don't think so. And yes, not a pissing match.

Nice write up in the Conservationist!!! The painting is wonderful..

And you believe what you want to believe. Until it happens keep believing……...

I sure do!

All you state land hunters in favor of fracking better think again. Your favorite honey hole just may become a drilling site!

Its always been that way. Jersey, PA and Maryland. Nothing to do with this topic.

Who works at these casinos? Is it like AC? That is what I worry about.

You could of bet this was going to happen. I don't trust those tracking companies and don'T want to see NYS go to ****. Look at what is happening now. Oil at 50 bucks a barrel and fracking co's going out of business. It will look like a war zone of unfinished business out there. I don't want that. I think its a good decision.

Just what I need more traffic headed up north….

News will be announced Dec 31st. That is coming from the guys at Ridge.

We hunted 9 and 10 the last two years. Walk walk and walk some more. Keep pushing them and you will see deer. We saw a total of 25 in one day. Only saw 1 buck though but plenty of sign

Continue to increase my green field at the lower part of my property. Build three permanent stands. Hopefully be able to buy the 10acres that is next to me.

My brother is at Ridge right now. He talked to the people there and they said it will be announced on the 31st. Right now they are taking reservations for weekend shot gun but they said that can change on a dime.

It's amazing how many guys are saying they extended the season for bow and you can hunt on weekends with gun. I can't find one piece of evidence to back this up. Where are hunters getting there info from?? Its like that old fish tale that gets bigger and bigger as its passed along. Hope it happens but I don't see it officially announced.

I shot.

The story and pict are with a DEC biologist. Should hear back tomorrow.