HuntingNY-News

"While the river provides great fishing and a boost for the Pulaski economy, I must comment on the disappointment I felt when I walked the banks of the river while my boyfriend fished," she said. By WendyWendy Kurlowitz said she went up the Salmon River for the first time recently to check out the scene while her boyfriend fished. The fishing and the big salmon were impressive, she said, but the trash on the river’s bank’s was an eye-opener. “While the river provides great fishing and a boost for the Pulaski economy, I must comment on the disappointment I felt when I walked the banks of the river while my boyfriend fished. Trash was strewn about, including cups of Dunkin’ Donuts and Byrne Dairy coffee, to full bottles of Gatorade. Being a nature lover and conservationist I was appalled at the balls of line everywhere. “From my 1/4 mile walk I picked off the banks loads of sinkers and line. It was in the trees, growing around roots and just thrown about. Could you please put a little “bug” (in the ears of anglers) about maintaining the natural environment?” She wrote a few days later: “My boyfriend’s explanation was that, like him, most men out there love the great outdoors and when the dam opens the river rises and garbage flows down and/or collects from windy conditions. Could be....he is so good hearted!” Bottom line, all those coffee cups, Gatorade bottles and fishing line didn’t get on the river’s banks by themselves. I’ve been up there numerous times myself during this of the year and the trashy behavior of some anglers I’ve observed is truly disgusting. If you fish the Salmon River this fall, please bring out what you take in — and then some. Bring a trash bag in your fishing vest or creel. It’s a shame to have to pick up after others, but you have to start somewhere. Wendy xxxx View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He went fishing with his Dad on a charter boat. Submitted photoBrady Strait, 11, of Camillus, holds up a whopper chinook salmon he caught recently on Lake Ontario while fishing with his father, Jeff Strait. They fished off a charter boat Sept. 10 -- Fish Chopper Charters with Capt. Kevin Kelly. Nice fish, Brady! Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Landed total of 4 salmon on orange/silver and chartreuse/silver 3/4 oz. Little Cleos," he said. "A lot of fun, especially on a medium- action rod with 12 pound test!" Submitted photoTom Alexander, an outside/online account exec for The Post-Standard, got into some nice chinook recently up near Fair Haven Beach State Park. He wrote the following about his fishing weekend trip on Sept. 23-25: "Landed total of 4 salmon on orange/silver and chartreuse/silver 3/4 oz. Little Cleos. A lot of fun, especially on a medium- action rod with 12-pound test! "Many fish were being taken at dusk on spawn sacks as well by other fisherman. Most action I have seen in 10 years or so...some locals say due to stocking program that started 3 years ago." Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Don Therre, of North Syracuse, hoists a nice brook trout he caught while on his yearly tent camping/trout fishing trip with his kids near Tupper Lake. He wrote: This is my best brook trout yet - 18 inches and 3 pounds. It was caught on a yellow crappie jig with a piece of worm. We had great weather and... Submitted photoDon Therre, of North Syracuse, hoists a nice brook trout he caught while on his yearly tent camping/trout fishing trip with his kids near Tupper Lake. He wrote: This is my best brook trout yet - 18 inches and 3 pounds. It was caught on a yellow crappie jig with a piece of worm. We had great weather and as always a great time." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"This procedure does not allow for any loss of boars that would add to the problem that already exists in the State of New York," said Cody Mikalunas, owner of the preserve. Submitted photoWendy Cosselman, of Bleecker, shot this Russian boar last year at Wild West Trophy Hunts, a private hunting preserve in Chenango CountyBy Cody Mikalunas This letter is in response to David Figura's Wild Boar story that was published on Sept. 9, 2011. We are Wild West Trophy Hunts out of West Edmeston, N.Y. We are a trophy hunting preserve that offers trophy elk, buffalo, New Zealand red stag, European fallow deer and whitetail hunts. Also offered are wild boar, pheasant hunts and safari hunts. We would like to further explain the hunting methods of the wild boar here at Wild West Trophy Hunts. To begin with, the structure and security of the holding pen is the utmost importance when it comes to wild boar "escaping." So here at Wild West Trophy hunts, prior to hunting boar, careful consideration was put into the containment of the boar prior to the hunt. We escavated a trench 5 to 6 feet deep, and buried heavy gauge metal paneling in this trench. The pen is comprised to two areas, a large area, and a small area.The boars are lured from the large area to the small area next to a hoisted heavy plate steel. Once separate into than pen for hunting purposes, they are released through swinging doors, for safety and liability, into the hunting area. Once in the hunting preseve, staff spotters also carry guns, only to be used if a boar tries to escape the hunting area while they are on watch, and then only after radio contact for safety purposes on shooting. ((This has not (been) necessary, but it is a precaution only. In general, once released, the boar bury themselves into the heavily wooded areas and act like wild boar. )) Then, with continued radio contact from spotters to the main guide, the hunters and their main guide enter the hunting area and proceed to head to the area told by the spotters. Once hunters and guides have located boars by eye vision, and with knowledge from other staff spotters on location of other boar if they separated once released, staff spotters area radioed to join the main guide. The hunters are then advised to shoot when a shot is presented. This procedure continues until every boar for that hunt are down and complete. Therefore, this procedure does not allow for any loss of boars that would add to the problem that already exists in the State of New York. The reason the Wild West developed this way of hunting wild boar is because that not all we do, and with the ability of the boars' strength and determination, they can and will escape if not closely watched. I strongly feel electric fencing is not the answer, because you cannot depend on electric due to storms, and normal outages. The comments made about castrating boars prior to shipping from ranches to preserves/Agri-Parks, we feel is a great idea. Mikalunas and his wife, Cindy, own and run Wild West Trophy Hunts, 213 Button Road, West Edmeston, N.Y. For more, see their Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Our hope is that you'll see substantial numbers of Atlantics in the river in July and August" so that anglers can take advantage of that, said the director of the Tunison lab in Cortland. U.S. Geological Survey staff were up at Beaver Dam Brook near Altmar Thursday morning, releasing thousands of fingerling Atlantic salmon into the Salmon River tributary. It’s all part of a unique research project run by the Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science in Cortland the past few years. The project aims to develop a successful strain of Atlantics in the Lake Ontario, essentially coming up with a cookbook of sorts that the state can eventually use to raise the fish on its own. In addition, the project hopes to increase the numbers of Atlantics in the Salmon River during the summer months, which would expand the river’s prime fishing season. That would be good news for anglers and the area’s tourism industry. The released fish, raised at the Tunison lab, were the last of several stockings into the brook and the main stem of the Salmon River this month. The stockings began Sept. 20. A total of 70,000 fish were released, measuring about five inches and with clipped adipose fins for future identification by researchers, according to Jim Johnson, the lab’s director. The fish were raised from eggs purchased from a Maine hatchery. The plan is for the fish to make their way into the lake, survive and return annually to the Salmon River to spawn. In two to three years, with the help of the state DEC hatchery in Altmar, a number of surviving Atlantics will be captured. They’ll then be stripped of their eggs, and the hope is that the eggs will then be used to develop a successful “Lake Ontario strain of Atlantic salmon” at the Tunison Lab, Johnson said. Johnson noted that unlike Pacific salmon (chinook and coho) that are also stocked in the river and Lake Ontario, Atlantic salmon come back each year to spawn in late June, rather than in the fall. “Our hope is that you’ll see substantial numbers of Atlantics in the river in July and August,” he said, and that anglers can take advantage of that. The Tunison lab project, which is several years old, is being paid for by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and is a cooperative effort between the USGS, New York state, Canada and Native American tribal officials along the lake. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

A new state law signed in May by Gov. Andrew Cuomo lowered the minimum age to bowhunt from 14 to 12. The season opens Oct. 15. Mike Greenlar/The Post-StandardEmily Buschbascher, 13, has been shooting in indoor and outdoor archery leagues for more than 4 years. She'll hunt for deer for the first time this season. Emily Buschbascher, of Skaneateles, has been accompanying her father into the woods while he hunted with a bow. “She’s sat up in a treestand with me, helped me track deer after I’ve shot them — even helped field dress them and everything,” said Don Buschbascher. This fall Emily, 13, will finally get to pull back the strings of her own bow and aim it at a deer. A new state law signed in May by Gov. Andrew Cuomo lowered the minimum age to bowhunt from 14 to 12. The season opens Oct. 15. The eighth-grader, who attends Marcellus Middle School, can hardly wait. For the past four years she’s been practicing her bow skills by being part of an indoor league during the winter and participating in weekly 3-D competitions during the summer. Alongside her garage at home, her father has put up a big square target with a 3-D bear target in front. She often works on her skills after soccer practice with her Mission Endeavor bow, which is set at a draw weight of 40 pounds. She stands 5 feet, 4 inches and weighs 110 pounds. “I feel pretty comfortable taking a shot (at a deer) at about 30 to 35 yards,” she said. “I think it would be cool if I got a deer this fall.” In East Syracuse, David Dabrowski, 12, is also getting ready to hunt with his bow. He has been tagging along for years with his father, Mike, and older brother, Matt, during bowhunting season. “He’s been out with me since he was old enough to walk,” said the father. “He’s seen his brother do it. It’s a natural progression.” The youngster, who is a seventh-grader at Pine Grove Middle School, took his hunter safety course last year and has already gotten his first turkey and goose with a shotgun. The father and son have been practicing in earnest together for more than a month and half, shooting at targets at local parks and from treestands the father has set up. David, who stands 5-7 and weighs 120, is eager to get out and show his stuff. On opening day, he’ll be shooting his Hoyt bow with a 45-pound draw weight. His goal? “I’d like to best my brother’s pretty good deer that he got last year — an 8-pointer,” he said. Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardAndrew Rhoads practices shooting in his yard in Summerhill. Andrew Rhoads, 12, of Summerhill, a seventh-grader at Groton Middle School, has been practicing for months shooting a 3-D deer target in his yard and downstairs in his basement, where his father has set up a 20-yard range. Rhoads, who stands 5 feet, 4 inches and weighs 110 pounds, has also been going out for years with his father. He said he likes just being out in a treestand, watching deer, watching nature. “I’d like to shoot one deer. I don’t care which kind it is,” he said. His father, Dennis Rhoads, said he’s taken the boy out a number of times to practice shooting from his two treestands, but “we’ll be hunting from a ground blind the first day. “I’ll probably have the videotape camera going more than my bow,” he said. The boy will be taking out his Diamond Razor’s Edge bow, which according to his father has a draw weight of nearly 40 pounds. What do young David’s friends say about him getting out with a bow and hunting with his dad? “They think it’s pretty awesome,” he said. Know the law - The minimum age for a bowhunter is 12. Young hunters (ages 12-15) must have taken a bowhunter safety course and possess a junior bowhunter’s hunting license. - The season for bowhunting for big game in the Southern Zone begins Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 18. - Youth bowhunters must be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian or a licensed adult mentor of at least 21 years of age. The adult mentor must be also carrying the designation form supplied in the DEC’s hunting guide (page 35). The two can be in a treestand together. The individual accompanying a junior bow hunter (ages 12-13) must stay close enough so that he or she can speak to the youth without an electronic aid such as a phone or radio, and both should be able to see each other at all times during the hunt. The same applies for young bowhunters ages 14-15, with the exception that the licensed adult mentor can be 18 years or older. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

“The worst ever was brant (a small goose of the ocean’s shores) which I hunted on Chincoteaque Island in Virginia," said Bill Armani, of Fairmount. " Nothing could make them palatable.” My recent stories about Central New Yorkers who savor wild game from Mother Nature’s B menu continues to generate responses from readers. Bill Armani, of Fairmont, wrote me: “I have no special recipes to share, but here is a list of game that I have sampled over the past 75 years: sparrow, blackbird, starling, pigeon, crow, duck, goose, woodcock, partridge, pheasant, turkey, frog, cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare, woodchuck, raccoon, squirrel (red, gray and black), deer, bear, boar, antelope, elk, moose, caribou and bison. “The most exotic was musk ox shot by a friend in Alaska. All of these were edible and most were tasty. “The worst ever was brant (a small goose of the ocean’s shores) which I hunted on Chincoteaque Island in Virginia. Nothing could make them palatable.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

B.A.S.S. officials confirmed this week that the last two weigh-in days (Aug. 25-26) will take place on the grounds of the New York State Fair in Geddes. I recently reported that next summer (Aug. 23-26) the Bassmaster Elite Series will return to Oneida Lake for the 2012 series finale. The Elite Series, during which anglers will fish at eight venues throughout the year, is the major leagues of bass fishing. This is a huge development for bass angling fans and the greater Oneida Lake economic scene, as the area will once again get national recognition with all the TV coverage. First prize in this competition will be $100,000. In addition, the series Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year will be determined, with the winner of that honor also walking away with a $100,000 check. B.A.S.S. officials confirmed this week that the last two weigh-in days of that tournament (Aug. 25-26) will take place on the grounds of the New York State Fair in Geddes. That will only increase the profile and attention give to this competition. Next year’s fair is scheduled to run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Despite their sluggish looks, jellyfish are just as effective at hunting and catching meals as their competitors with fins, using their body size to increase their success. View the full article

There are salmon (cohos and chinooks) throughout the Salmon River. CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO Salmon continue are starting to stage around the mouths of tributaries,though, it’s slowed a little this past week. Many are being taken in 12 to 60 feet of water. Good baits continue to be cut bait, large spoons and J-plugs. Good colors have been green, chrome, white, glow green ladder back and gold. SALMON RIVER There are salmon (cohos and chinooks) throughout the river. Good action taking place in the deeper holes in the lower and middle river such as the Black Hole, Sportsman and Trestle Pool’s. The Lower Fly Section opened on Sept. 15. OWEGO RIVER There are salmon in the river and anglers are getting them on estaz eggs, egg sacs and crazy eggs. A few brown trout are also being taken. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island has been closed to vehicle traffic by the state Department of Transportation. ONEIDA LAKE Perch bite continues to be good, particularly east of Dunham’s Island, in 10 to 20 feet of water. They’re being caught on fathead minnows, worms and small panfish jigs. Walleye continues to be slow, but should pick up with the cooler weather and rain. Smallmouth bass are hitting tube jigs, spinnerbaits and drop-shot rigs around the shoals. There also continues to be smallmouth hitting around schools of small gizzard shad. CAYUGA LAKE Mixed bags are still being taken fishing down 50 to 70 feet, over 75 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and a few rainbows were being taken on spoons or flashers & flies fished off downriggers, Dipsey divers, lead core and copper. Jigging with plastics is also still working in 75 to 95 feet of water. SENECA LAKE Lake trout are still being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished down 100 feet over 150 feet of water. Vertical jigging with plastics continues to be good for lake trout in 95 to 120 feet of water. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are hitting on crayfish and minnows fished off the pier. Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers or casting large crankbaits are catching some northern pike around the lake. OWASCO LAKE A lot of bass continue to be caught on live crayfish throughout the lake in 15 to 20 feet of water. A few yellow perch are also being caught on fathead minnows. OTISCO LAKE A few nice walleye have been taken by anglers trolling 25 to 30 feet down over 45 to 60 feet of water. SKANEATELES LAKE Smallmouth bass and rock bass continue to hit along the shore out to about 40 feet of water for anglers fishing with tube baits, super flukes, drop-shot rigs and crayfish. Try a surface plug during the evening. Yellow perch fishing is starting to pick up, and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. Trolling 40 to 50 feet down with small spoons is producing lake trout, rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon. SODUS BAY Largemouth bass fishing has been decent, with fish hitting Senko-style baits, and a few pike are being taken on large spoons. Perch fishing has been slow but should pick up soon. SANDY POND No new fishing activity to report. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Lots of bass are being taken in about 20 feet of water on live crayfish and bass minnows. Northern pike, same thing, in slightly deeper water near the weedbeds using crankbaits, spoons and larger shiners. Walleyes are being taken by trolling during the day in 40-50 feet using deep diver lures. Just before dark, anglers are still fishing, using bucktail jigs with nightcrawlers and Jigfish. Lots of perch also being taken. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Reservoir is finally down and fishable. Bass, walleye, perch and rockbass are being caught in deeper water (13 to 20 feet). Successful anglers are using live bait or jigs. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It squared out at 7 feet, 7 inches," he said, and weighed about 600 pounds. Submitted photoAlan Isaacs, 62, of Manlius, shot this grizzly bear during a recent 15-day hunt in Alaska, up on the Nome peninsula.Isaacs said the it was a cinnamon-colored sow. that was about 8 to 9 years old. "It squared out at 7 feet, 7 inches," he said, and weighed about 600 pounds. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught them on a green, Little Cleo lure. Submitted photoJeff Howe, of Weedsport, holds up two chinook salmon he caught recently. He wrote,: "Dave, recently I was fishing on the lake side of a Lake Ontario tributary, and caught these two healthy males on a green, Little Cleo (lure)." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

These stories illustrate that the waterways in Oswego County and throughout New York State are very cold – all year round -- and that hypothermia can adversely affect people who are stranded in the water for even short periods of time. The following is a press release from the Wear It! Oswego campaign. Both stories are food for thought: The Wear It! Oswego campaign recently spoke with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Station Oswego regarding two real-life “saved by the jacket” rescues. In both instances, individuals involved in these accidents on Lake Ontario would not be alive today if they were not wearing a life jacket. In August 2010, USCG Station Oswego received a mayday call that a sailing club of five boats was stuck on the east break wall in Oswego Harbor. The USCG’s research vessel Kaho was in the area and picked five individuals out of the water. USCG Station Oswego also launched its 25-foot response boat which picked up four more people. Two additional individuals on shore were rescued by the City of Oswego Police Department and brought to the hospital. All others were transported to the USCG Station Oswego where they were treated by an Oswego ambulance crew. A total of 11 people were involved including the sailing instructors, and all are alive today because they were wearing life jackets. In September 2010, a 19-foot recreational vessel was capsized by waves in Lake Ontario approximately two nautical miles from the Salmon River. USCG Station Oswego's 25-foot response boat arrived on the scene and located three individuals in the water that were severely hypothermic. The three people – who all were wearing life jackets -- used a portable VHF radio they took into the water to help direct the rescue crew. Following the rescue, they were transported by ambulance for treatment and later released. “In these two situations, it was fortunate that all of the individuals were wearing life jackets,” said BMCS Joseph M. Orlando, Officer-in-Charge, USCG Station Oswego. “Unfortunately life jackets are not used in many of our other rescue situations and thus results are not as positive.” “These stories also illustrate that the waterways in Oswego County and throughout New York State are very cold – all year round -- and that hypothermia can adversely affect people who are stranded in the water for even short periods of time,” Orlando added. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Ish Monroe said he focused exclusively on largemouth bass. He used two types of lures to get the job done. (See video on Ish's Phat Frog). Watch video Jim Commentucci / The Post-StandardIsh Monroe holds two of his largemouth bass at the final weigh-in Saturday at Bass Pro Shops in Aurelius.Elite Series Pro Ish Monroe, of Hughson, Calif., started off strong Thursday and finished strong today, easily winning the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake.The awards ceremony was held Saturday afternoon on the parking lot in front of the Bass Pro Shops store at the Fingerlakes Mall. With the win, Monroe, who during three day tournament caught 51 pounds, 2 ounces of fish (all largemouths), received nearly $10,000 in prize money, plus a new Triton bass boat and a 200 horsepower Mercury motor -- a rig valued at $40,000. He said the key to winning was focusing on catching just largemouths. Monroe relied on two baits and several areas. He threw a Snag Proof Ish’s Phat Frog (three different models: white, black and clear) across the top of matted grass along the bank, and when the wind blew, he punched through the grass with a heavy weight and a black and blue, "creature bait I'm working on." The key with the flipping bait was the 1 1/2 ounce, River2Sea specialty flipping weight. It sports a matte black finish. Monroe reasons that lighter-colored weights give off too much flash under the dark mats and spook fish. Monroe was followed by Michael Simonton, of Fremont, Ohio, who posted a final total of 48 pounds, 12 ounces. There was a tie for third place between John Pelletier, of Nassau, N.Y. and Pat Golden, of High Point, N.C., both finishing out at 45 pounds, 7 ounces. The top finishing local pro-angler was Matt Martin, of Chittenango, who went into the final day tied for fifth place and ended up dropping to eighth place. His total weight was 43 pounds, 12 ounces. The top-finishing co-angler was Kevin Haley, of Syracuse, who finished out with a catch total of 26 pounds; 8 ounces. The pro anglers can weigh up to five fish each day; the co-anglers, three. Haley fished Saturday on Martin's boat. For his effort, Haley won a "tournament-ready," Skeeter bass boat, with a 150 horsepower Yamaha engine. Another local, Brad Kelly, of Oswego, finished 6, with his three-day total of 24 pounds, 7 ounces. The pro anglers and the co-anglers split a total of $250,000 in prize money and merchandise. The tournment began Thursday with 138 anglers in each division, with only 12 from each making it into today's finals. Anglers in the first 40 places in each division received checks. Bassmaster Northern Open results (finals): Pro angler division 1) Ish Monroe, of Hughson, Calif.; 51 lbs, 2 oz. 2) Mike Simonton, of Fremont, Ohio; 48 lbs., 12 oz. 3) John Pelletier, of Nassau, N.Y.; 45 lbs., 7 oz. 4) Pat Golden, of High Point, N.C.; 45 lbs., 7 oz. 5) Randy Howell, of Springville, Ala.; 44 lbs., 5 oz. 6) Mike Iaconelli, of Pittsgrove, N.J.; 44 lbs., 4 oz. 7) Peter Thliveros, of St. Augustine, Fla.; 43 lbs., 13 oz. Matt Martin, of Chittenango, N.Y.; 43 lbs.; 12 oz. 9) Fletcher Shryock, of Newcomersville, Ohio; 43 lbs.; 11 oz. 10 Jason Dudek, of Excelsior, Minn.; 43 lbs., 2 oz. 11). Ron Bane, of Frackville, Pa.; 42 lbs., 15 oz. 12). Kurt Dove, of Del Rio, Texas; 42 lbs., 14 oz. Co-angler division 1) Kevin Haley, of Syracuse, N.Y.; 26 lbs., 8 oz. 2) Kevin Phelps, Allentown, Pa.; 25 lbs., 12 oz. 3) Anthony Savino, Marlboro, N.Y.; 24 lbs., 13 oz. 4) Michael Rinaldi, North Haledon, N.J.; 24 lbs., 11 oz. 5) Aaron Anders, Boston, Canada; 24 lbs., 7 oz. 6) Brad Kelly, of Oswego, N.Y.; 24 lbs, 7 oz. 7) Thomas Rizzo, of Rochester, Pa.; 23 lbs., 10 oz. PJ Mcmanamon, of Ruby, N.Y.; 23 lbs. 6 oz. 9). Keith Diluzio, of North East, Pa.; 23 lbs., 4 oz. 10) Shawn Nolan, of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; 23 lbs., 1 oz. 11) Richard Falcon, of Evans Mills, N.Y..; 22 lbs., 2 oz. 12). Ronald Flamisch, of Northampton, Pa.; 20 lbs. 12 oz. To view the tournament's complete results, see the Bassmaster Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Some of the activities include skeet shooting (shotgun), waterfowl identification/calling, turkey and goose calling, archery, fly fishing, canoeing, muzzleloading, trout fishing, free door prizes. I'll be there from noon to 3 p.m. to meet with readers. The annual Honeywell Sportsmen's Days continue today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, off Route 321 in Elbridge. The event was created at a tribute to National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was Saturday. It's one of the largest celebrations of the day in the state. Some of the activities include skeet shooting (shotgun), waterfowl identification/calling, turkey and goose calling, archery, fly fishing, canoeing, muzzleloading, trout fishing, free door prizes. Cost is $5 per car. I'll be there from noon to 3 p.m. today to meet with readers. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Winner Ish Monroe said the key was that he focused exclusively on largemouth bass. Meanwhile, Kevin Haley, of Syracuse, won the co-angler division (and a new bass boat and motor). Elite Series Pro Ish Monroe, of Hughson, Calif., started off strong Thursday and finished strong today, easily winning the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake. The awards ceremony was held this afternoon on the parking lot in front of the Bass Pro Shops store at the Fingerlakes Mall. With the win, Monroe, who during three day tournament caught 51 pounds, 2 ounces of fish (all largemouths), received nearly $10,000 in prize money, plus a new Triton bass boat and a 200 horsepower Mercury motor -- a rig valued at $40,000. He said the key to winning was focusing on catching just largemouths. He used his frog lure and a "creature bait" with a special, 1 1/2-ounce jig, heavy test line (70-pound) and a high-speed reel, which enabled him to get down through and fish weed mats near shore. Monroe was followed by Michael Simonton, of Fremont, Ohio, who posted a final total of 48 pounds, 12 ounces. There was a tie for third place between John Pelletier, of Nassau, N.Y. and Pat Golden, of High Point, N.C., both finishing out at 45 pounds, 7 ounces. The top finishing local pro-angler was Matt Martin, of Chittenango, who went into the final day tied for fifth place and ended up dropping to eighth place. His total weight was 43 pounds, 12 ounces. The top-finishing co-angler was Kevin Haley, of Syracuse, who finished out with a catch total of 26 pounds; 8 ounces. The pro anglers can weigh up to five fish each day; the co-anglers, three. Haley fished Saturday on Martin's boat. For his effort, Haley won a "tournament-ready," Skeeter bass boat, with a 150 horsepower Yamaha engine. Another local, Brad Kelly, of Oswego, finished 6, with his three-day total of 24 pounds, 7 ounces. The pro anglers and the co-anglers split a total of $250,000 in prize money and merchandise. The tournment began Thursday with 138 anglers in each division, with only 12 from each making it into today's finals. Anglers in the first 40 places in each division received checks. For more on this, see Sunday's Outdoors page in The Post-Standard To view the tournament's complete results, see the Bassmaster Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

For the past eight years, Chris Bowes has run more than 100 tournaments for B.A.S.S., including eight Bassmaster Classics and a number of Elite Series contests and regional competitions. He was he driving force behind holding the Bassmaster Memorial tournament on Onondaga Lake 2007. Jim COmmentucci/The Post-StandardChris Bowes, left, interviews Mike Cusano, of Clay, on stage at Oneida Shores Park at Thursday's weigh-in. Chris Bowes this week has served the dual role of tournament director and emcee during this week’s Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open tournament on Oneida Lake. For Bowes, 43, he’s working his dream job with B.A.S. S. — one he never imagined growing up in Westvale. “I graduated from Westhill High School and was very active in Boy Scout Troop 182, which really started my passion for the outdoors,” he said. “I was a hunter, a fisherman, a trapper, the whole nine yards. I actually ran a nuisance wildlife business in Syracuse after I graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in fisheries and wildlife management.” He eventually got a job working at Carrier and was active in the Salt City Bassmasters, organizing that club’s local bass tournaments. His big break came in 2004, when B.A.S.S. held the Northern Open on Oneida Lake. He served as coordinator of the local volunteers for the event. Less than a year later, he became aware of a job opening for a tournament director at B.A.S.S. He applied and got the job. “I was like playing minor league baseball and then having the Yankees call you up to come be the starting pitcher for them. It was a dream come true,” he said. For the past eight years, Bowes, who now lives in Clermont, Fla. has run more than 100 tournaments for B.A.S.S., including eight Bassmaster Classics and a number of Elite Series contests and regional competitions. He was he driving force behind holding the Bassmaster Memorial tournament on Onondaga Lake 2007. He smiled when he recalled an incident several years ago during a weigh-in ceremony in Shreveport, La. The crowd suddenly started to part “like the Red Sea” and several women started shrieking, he said. “It was this huge, 6-or 7- foot banded, water snake making it’s way through the crowd. It was about as big around as a baseball, if not a softball,” he said. “One guy just reached down, grabbed it and took it down to the water. The emcee turned to me and said, ‘That’s the great thing about being in Louisiana. There’s always a Cajun around willing to pick up just about anything.’ “ He said most the anglers in B.A.S.S. competitions are extremely honest and honorable, but he remembers one who caught fish while practicing before tournaments and would then tied them with fishing line to stumps so he catch them later. “We got some assistance from local government officials who went out, found some of these fish tied up and punched holes in their fins with a hole punch so they could be identified. He was caught and ended up being banned for life,” Bowes said. He said people would be surprised about what’s involved in his job. “I call it the ‘fish circus,” he said. “That’s because we come into an area, set up stages and tents and then tear them down. We’re glorified carnies.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The top local angler after Friday’s outing was Matt Martin, of Chittenango, who moved up into a three-way tie for fifth place with Elite Series pro Randy Howell, of Springville, Ala. and Fletcher Shyrock, of Newcomersville, Ohio— who all finishing the two days at 30 pounds, 10 ounces Anglers fishing Oneida Lake were rocking and rolling on 4- to 5-foot high waves during Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Friday, thanks to a strong easterly wind that blew throughout much of the day. Elite Series angler Ish Monoe, of Hughson, Calif., held on to first place with another impressive showing of five largemouth weighing a total of 16 pounds. His total weigh was 35 pounds, 14 ounces. Monroe, who once again turned in a bag filled with all largemouths, has more than a 3 ½ pound lead over Michael Simonton, of Fremont, Ohio, who posted a two-day total of 32 pounds, 3 ounces. Simonton had the best catch of the day Friday, landing five fish that weighed 17 pounds, 1 ounce. Third place is held by John Pelletier, of Nassau, N.Y. whose two-day total was 31 pounds, 10 ounces. Elite Series angler Pat Golden, of High Point, N.C., is in fourth, with 31 pounds, 9 ounces. The top local angler after Friday’s outing was Matt Martin, of Chittenango, who moved up into a three-way tie for fifth place with Elite Series pro Randy Howell, of Springville, Ala. and Fletcher Shyrock, of Newcomersville, Ohio— who all finishing the two days at 30 pounds, 10 ounces. Following Friday’s competition, the field was cut to 12 pro anglers and 12 co-anglers who will fish in today’s finals, which will be followed by a final weigh-in at 3:30 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops Store at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The tournament continues today. Weigh-in starts at 2:30 p.m. at Oneida Shores park and lasts for a couple of hours. The field will pared after today to 12 finalists, who will fish in Saturday's final. Bassmaster.comIsh Monroe had some fun on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake.Californian Ish Monroe was brimming with confidence Wednesday evening when discussing his chances of winning the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open, which began Thursday morning on Oneida Lake. “I didn’t come here all the way from California for the (tournament) points or cash,” he said. “I just plan to win this thing.” The positive attitude paid off on the opening day of the three-day tournament as Monroe, an Elite Series angler from Hughson, took a commanding lead with a five-fish bag weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces. They were all largemouth. He remained close-lipped about how he fished and what he was using. “It was a little bit of grass, a little bit of me, a little bit of having fun,” he said. The tournament, which featured a final count of 138 boats with a pro angler and co-angler in each, kicked off shortly after 6:30 a.m. at Oneida Shores Park. The launch was delayed several minutes because of driving rain. It rained for most of the morning, but the skies cleared just after 10 a.m. The field is competing for $250,000 in cash and merchandise. The tournament is the final of a three-part series in which pro anglers who competed in all three have a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic tournament in February. This week’s event features more than 20 Elite Series professionals, along with a host of others (many from the local area) — all fishing head to head. The fishermen in the pro angler division weigh their five biggest fish each day. The co-anglers weigh their top three. Kurt Dove, of Del Rio, Texas, finished the day in second place in the pro angler division, with five fish weighing a total of 17 pounds, 9 ounces. Fletcher Shyrock, of Newcomerstown, Ohio, was in third at 17-2. Matt Martin, of Chittenango, was the top local, finishing 15th in the pro angler division at 15-5. His catch consisted of four smallmouth and a 4-pound largemouth that lifted his total weight. For the smallmouth, he said he was mainly “dragging grubs on the bottom.” The largemouth was taken on a topwater lure. The biggest bass of the day was a 4-pound, 14-ounce largemouth caught by David Wolak, of Wake Forest, N.C., another Elite Series angler. The tournament continues today with the weigh-in set at 2:30 p.m. at Oneida Shores. Afterward, the pro angler field will be cut to the top 12, and that group will compete in Saturday’s final. See complete results from Thursday's Day 1. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Maybe you're like me. I have a 14-foot, aluminum V-bottom boat with an old, six-horsepower Evinrude motor and oars. I take out a couple of spinning rods each time and have a wide assortment of lures and plastic baits in my tacklebox. Peter "Peter T" ThliverosConsider yourself a decent bass fisherman? Maybe you’re like me. I have a 14-foot, aluminum V-bottom boat with an old, six-horsepower Evinrude motor and oars. I take out a couple of spinning rods each time and have a wide assortment of lures and plastic baits in my tacklebox. Question: What does it take to get to the next level of bass fishing? Several Elite Series anglers who are town this week competing in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Oneida Lake responded earlier this week. “Look, you can go out with a canoe and a fly rod, catch fish and have a ball,” said Peter Thliveros, who won the 2007 Bassmaster Memorial Tournament on Onondaga Lake. “But if you want to be bass fishing at the next level, you need the right equipment ... among other things.” Apart from getting a bigger, better, faster and more expensive boat (which many of us can’t afford), Thliveros and others offered the following suggestions: Peter Thliveros Jacksonville, Fla. - Spend as much time on the water as you can. You can’t learn this stuff on the Internet or by watching TV. You just can’t be a fair weather fisherman. Learn what the fish are doing and biting on in all kinds of weather conditions. And pay attention to the little details. When you’re catching fish in a particular area, don’t just blow through and figure they’ll be there next time. Try and understand why you’re catching them at this time of day, at this location, on this particular bait or lure and under these conditions. - At the very least, you need a good, strong trolling motor and a depth finder. The trolling motor enables you fish in the weeds, or in shallow water. If you’re fishing without a depth finder, you’re stuck to what you can see with your eyes. You’re right there with the rest of the crowd. You need to learn how to fish areas that other people don’t normally fish, to know whether you’re fishing over weeds, rocks or a sandy bottom. - Bring a number of fishing rods. I always have at least six to eight rods rigged up at any one time for specific purposes. You have to be prepared to fish the water — top to bottom. Greg HackneyGreg Hackney, Gonzales, La. - Work with what you have. My first boat was a 14-foot aluminum, with a nine-horsepower motor. I cut up a piece of plywood and put in a casting deck. I had a foot-control trolling motor and I bought a depth finder. I did it back then for about $500. You could do it now for about $1,000. And with a smaller boat you have access to areas on lakes, rivers and even streams that you can’t reach with a bigger boat. - Spinning rods are nice. They’ll handle the smaller baits, the lighter line. But you need at last two to three bait casting rods to handle the heavier test lines and lures/bait that you need to use. You need a crank-bait rod, a flipping stick that will handle the heavier test line and let you fish the heavier weed mats and structure along the shore, and you need an all-purpose rod with 12- to 15-pound test line to handle the bigger, heavier plastic baits. - Once you get your depth finder, get a topo map of the lake’s bottom. That way, you’ll know where the humps (and drop-offs) are and actually be able to drive out and find them. A trolling motor is invaluable, especially when the wind is blowing. It sure beats rowing. - As for baits and lures and colors, I tend to go with the natural shapes and colors. They may not be identical matches, but they’re similar in size and color to what the fish are feeding on. Here on Oneida Lake, it’s crayfish, alewives, gizzard shad. Sure, on areas that aren’t heavily fished, you’ll see fish hitting on a wide variety of colors. But once the pressure increases, I can tell you color does matter. Sometimes a slight change will make those fish come in. Russ Lane</span></span>Ish Monroe, Hughson, Calif. - The most important thing you have to have is the belief that you can go out and do it. The biggest thing that separates a pro bass fisherman from an amateur is the mental aspect. It’s just knowing that once you drop your boat in the water you’re going to catch fish.- Next, you have to find that ability and apply your knowledge. Use everything you know and don’t get stuck on just one approach. - And if you haven’t already, go out and get a bait caster. The best you can afford. And practice with it. It’ll make fishing more fun. And that’s my last tip: Make sure you’re having fun. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

They’re a wildlife species with a high incidence of rabies. Eileen O’Connor, director of environmental health for the Cayuga County Health Department, said she was alarmed and concerned after reading my story last week about Central New Yorkers eating from Mother Nature’s “B Menu.” The story highlighted folks who have dined on a variety of less popular wild game, including raccoon, squirrel, muskrat and other animals. “Eating raccoons ... are you kidding me?” O’Connor said, noting they’re a wildlife species with a high incidence of rabies. O’Connor conceded the virus would most likely be killed during the cooking process, but pointed out the dangers of an individual handling a rabid raccoon carcass beforehand. Rabies is a deadly disease for which there is no cure, she said. “The rabies virus is present in the saliva and nervous tissue of these animals,” she said. “If you get any of that in your eyes, mouth, nose or on an open wound, you have a significant risk of contracting rabies.” I always thought it would be obvious if a raccoon was rabid based on its erratic behavior. O’Connor disagreed. “Behavior is not an accurate indicator if an animal has rabies or not,” she said. The state Department of Health website noted that along with raccoons, foxes and skunks are high-risk animals for rabies. During 2010, there were 250 reports of rabid raccoons across the state — 10 in Cayuga County alone. O’Connor said if anyone suspects they have been exposed to a rabid animal they should contact their local health department, where arrangements for post-exposure treatment can be arranged. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

For the fifth consecutive year, junior hunters (12-15 years old) have the opportunity to hunt pheasants the weekend prior to the opening of regular pheasant hunting season. In the northern and eastern zones, the youth hunt is this Saturday and Sunday. The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that approximately 30,000 adult pheasants will be released on lands open to public hunting for the upcoming Fall pheasant hunting season. The pheasant hunting season begins on Oct. 1 in northern and eastern portions of New York; Oct. 15 in central and western portions of New York, and Nov. 1 on Long Island. For the fifth consecutive year, junior hunters (12-15 years old) have the opportunity to hunt pheasants the weekend prior to the opening of regular pheasant hunting season. In northern and eastern New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is this Saturday and Sunday. In western New York, the youth pheasant hunt weekend is Oct. 8-9. Pheasants will be released on a number of select sites across the state to provide ample youth hunting opportunities (see table below). All current pheasant hunting rules and regulations remain in effect during the youth hunt. In addition to the upstate youth hunts, DEC is working to establish a youth pheasant hunt on Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) this Fall. Legislation authorizing a youth hunt on Long Island was signed by Governor Cuomo in August, and DEC initiated a regulatory proposal that, if adopted, would have the youth hunt held on the last full weekend in October (Oct. 29-30, 2011). Pheasants would be released prior to that weekend at certain sites. To review the proposal and submit comments visit the "Proposed Regulations" page on the DEC website. The public comment period on this proposal is open and comments will be accepted through Oct. 3. The pheasants will be released on state-owned wildlife management areas and cooperative hunting areas prior to and during the Fall hunting season. All release sites for pheasants raised via state-funded programs are open to public hunting. A list of statewide adult pheasant release sites and sites receiving birds for the youth pheasant hunt weekends can be found on DEC's website: The Day-old Pheasant Chick Program provides additional opportunities for pheasant hunters. This program was developed in the early 1900s to provide day-old pheasant chicks to cooperating 4-H groups and sportsmen and sportswomen. The chicks are distributed to program participants in May and June, and cooperators incur all costs associated with rearing the birds, including feed, water, utilities and facility construction. The birds are raised to adulthood and released on lands open to public hunting before the season opens. This year, nearly 46,000 pheasant chicks were distributed statewide as part of this program. Anyone interested in raising and releasing pheasants to expand next year's hunting opportunities should contact DEC's Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768. Boundaries for pheasant hunting zones conform to Wildlife Management Units used for management of other wildlife. Wildlife Management Unit boundary descriptions can be found on the DEC website. In addition to knowing these unit boundary descriptions, hunters should review the 2011-2012 New York Hunting & Trapping guide for complete regulations and other important information before going afield. Hunters who plan to use private lands should ask permission from the landowner prior to accessing those lands. See the DEC Web site for a list of pheasant release sites. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Wolves have made a remarkable comeback, thanks to federal protections. But a bad deal with Wyoming leaves their survival at stake yet again. View the full article

The competition features more than 140 boats (with two anglers in each), competing for $250,000 in cash and merchandise in the three-day event. More than 20 Elite Series level pros are competing, in addition to a host of local anglers. (See names of local entries). Watch video The Bass Pro Shops Bassmasters Northern Open Fishing tournament kicked off at 6:30 a.m. this morning from the beach area at Oneida Shores Park on Oneida Lake. The competition features more than 140 boats (with two anglers in each), competing for $250,000 in cash and merchandise in the three-day event. Today and Friday are the qualifying rounds, with the field being reduced to 12 anglers for the final day of competition on Saturday. Weigh-ins are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today and Friday at Oneida Shores, and at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bass Pro Shops store at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. Among the local anglers competing in the angler division against the pros (entry fee was $1,250): William Alexander, of Sylvan Beach Dereck Bigford, of Cicero Dean Caswell, of Highland Michael Cusano, of Clay Michael Donahue, of Baldwinsville Donald Patrick Flanagan, of Marietta Randy Lamanche, of Marcellus Matthew Martin, of Chittenango Mazur, Larry Lancaster David Ottman, of Fulton Ron Plocek, of Jamesville Jason Putman, of Cicero Ian Renfrew, of Phoenix Among the local co-anglers/non-boaters (entry fee was $350): David Canestrare, of Chittenango Dennis Carnahan, of Cazenovia Craig Daino, of Central Square Thomas Demarco, of Holland Patent TJ Dobs, of Verona Barb Elliott, of Richland Cass Falcon, of Evans Mills Richard Falcon, of Evans Mills George Fiorille, of Moravia Richard French, of Newfield Nick Giamei, of Cortland Kevin Haley, of Syracuse Brian Kelly, of Liverpool Jrarthur Kirk, of Truxton Lawrence Laclair, of Phoenix Richard Mattison, of Richland Ben Merkley, of Port Byron Thomas Monica, of Bridgeport Richard Ottman, of Bridgeport Roxanne Przelski, of Poland Luke Straub, of Central Square For more, see Friday's Outdoors page in The Post-Standard. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog