HuntingNY-News

This large population influx -- and turkeys' somewhat dangerous antics -- have prompted Maine lawmakers to enact a longer fall hunting season, and allow hunters to bag two birds instead of one. (AP) Once nearly wiped out of existence in the state of Maine, the wild turkey population here has soared in recent years.. Wild turkeys are eating crops, smashing through windows, ruining gardens, crashing into carts and motorcycles and even smashing through suburban windows. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, turkeys were hunted without limits and nearly extinguished in the state.. Their population fell to an estimated 30,000 to 150,000 and they were completely nonexistent in Maine up until 26 years ago. Maine's turkey population has since increased to 60,000, and mirrors what's been happening nationwide what has happened with the bird's population, which has has soared to an estimated 7 million. This large population influx -- and turkeys' somewhat dangerous antics -- have prompted Maine lawmakers to enact a longer fall hunting season, and allow hunters to bag two birds instead of one. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Lamanche finished 53rd out of 56 anglers with a three-day weight of 10 pounds, 7 ounces. He turned in six fish to be weighed during the three-day competition. Randy LamancheFred Blum photo Marcellus angler Randy Lamanche had a disappointing finish at the 2013 BASS Nation Championships at Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas this past weekend. Lamanche finished 53rd out of 56 anglers with a three-day weight of 10 pounds, 7 ounces. He turned in six fish to be weighed during the three-day competition. He was hoping to qualify for qualify for the prestigious Bassmaster Classic, which pits the best bass anglers in the country including many at the Elite Series level. That event, with its $500,000 check for first place is slated for Feb. 21-23 on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. The tournament's top finisher was Jeff Luger, of McGaheysville, Va., with a three- day total of 14 fish, weighing 41 pounds, 13 ounces. He qualified for the Bassmaster Classic, in addition to winning a Skeeter/Yamaha boat package valued at $45,000 and an invitation to fish in the 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series. The competition began Thursday and ended Saturday. Lugar will be joining other B.A.S.S. Nation anglers at the Classic. Five other men qualified on Saturday after winning their divisions. Doug Thompson of Arkansas for the Central Division; Paul Mueller, Connecticut, Eastern; Mark Dove, Northern; Coby Carden, Southern; and Tim Johnston, Western. Lamanche competed in the Eastern Division against eight other anglers and finished last. That division's winner, Paul Mueller, tied for eighth in the overal standings. He boated 13 fish for a total weight of 33 pounds, 15 ounces. Lamanche qualified for the Arkansas tournament after finishing third in the Eastern Divisional Championship at Sebago Lake in Maine earlier this fall. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The competition will also serve as a qualifier for the United States Snowshoe Association Nationals, set for Feb. 28 to March 22 at Prospect Mountain Ski Center in Woodford, Vt. </p> <p><br />The Empire State Snowshoe Championship will be held Jan. 26 at Highland Forest in Fabius, according to Chary Griffin, race director.</p> <p>Griffin said there will be a 5k, 10k and fun run format. The junior division championship will be be a 5K race and the senior championship will be a 10K, she said.</p> <p>"Additionally it will benefit Team Red White and Blue - A national veterans support group," Griffin said. "They will be participating as they did last year."</p> <p>Griffin added that the Highland Forest competition will also serve as a qualifier for the United States Snowshoe Association Nationals, set for Feb. 28 to March 22 at Prospect Mountain Ski Center in Woodford, Vt.</p> <p><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Sunday morning, local marathoners who made it through the race's lottery system or qualified in other ways are competing in the New York City Marathon. In view of what happened this spring at the Boston Marathon, security along the race route has been beefed up. </p> <p>This weekend's local running scene features a single race, " Climbing for the Stars: Make-A-Wish Foundation 5K Run/Walk," on Saturday at Breitbeck Park in the city of Oswego.</p> <p>Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 9:30. The Kids Fun Run is slated to take off at 10:30. The park is located on Bronson Street.</p> <p>Cost is $15 for students; $20 pre-registration and $25 day of the race. For more, see the race website at <a href="http://climbingforthestars.com">climbingforthestars.com</a>.</p> <p>Sunday morning, local marathoners who made it through the race's lottery system or qualified in other ways are competing in the ING New York City Marathon. <a href="http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2013/the-2013-ing-new-york-city-marathon"> A total of 48,000 runners are registered this year, according to the New York Road Runners website. </a>In view of what happened this spring at the Boston Marathon, security along the race route has been beefed up.</p> <p>"The New York Road Runners has spent more than $1 million on security -- more than double the usual amount,' according to the New York Daily News. City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has said a "significant number" of police officers will be posted along the course.</p> <p>Security meaures will include additional bag checks and restrictions of what runners can wear and carry. In addition, there will be limited public access to the area near the finish line, the newspaper reported.</p> <p><strong>Running notes:</strong></p> <p>Three local triathletes - Chary Griffin, of Cazenovia; Susan Kreplin-Michaels, of Skaneateles and Ginny Burton, of Liverpool competed in the Pruhealth World Triathlon Finale in London last month.<br />. <br />All three were age-group athletes, having qualified at the U. S. National Championship last year. Griffin and Kreplin-Michaels competed in the Olympic distance race, while Burton raced in the sprint triathlon distance.</p> <p>Griffin finished 9th in her age group (65 to 69); Kreplin-Michaels finished 18th (55-59) and Burton was 57th in her age group (60-64). <a href="http://http://worldtrilondon.com/">See more on the competition.</a></p> <p><strong>Last weekend's results</strong></p> <p><strong>1). Move 5K</strong>: Held Sunday at Green Lakes State Park,Fayetteville. <a href="http://leonetiming.com/2013/Roads/Move5K13.htm">See results.</a></p> <p><strong>2). Global Community 5K:</strong> Held Sunday at Saw Creek Shelter, Onondaga Lake Park. <a href="http://www.auyertiming.com/results.php">See results.</a> </p> <p><strong>3). Eastwood Park-to-Park 5-Mile Run:</strong> Held Sunday at Sunnycrest Ice Rink, Henninger High School. <a href="https://www.getentered.com/results/default.aspx?event=22435&r=6825">See results.</a></p> <p><strong>4). CRMC Hospital Aid Trick or Treat 5K/10K Run</strong>: Held Sunday at J.M. McDonald Sports Complex, Cortland. <a href="https://www.getentered.com/results/default.aspx?event=22438&r=6819">See 5K results.</a> See <a href="https://www.getentered.com/results/default.aspx?event=22438&r=6820">10K results.</a></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Brian used a Remington model 700 in 7mm-08 caliber to take this animal. I'm not sure who was happier, Brian or me!" Brian Hanas, of Fayetteville, poses with his first ever pronghorn antelope, which he shot in Wyoming earlier this month. His hunting buddy, Mickey O'Kane, of Jamesville, wrote: "Brian traveled with myself to Buffalo, Wyo. to hunt with Jon Ball of Jons Outdoors to take this Pronghorn Antelope. "He used a Remington model 700 in 7mm-08 caliber to take this animal on Oct. 7. I'm not sure who was happier, Brian or me !" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> "Nothing says fall like salmon and apple cider," he said. </p> <p><br />Angler Chris Bomysoad poses with a nice chinook salmon he caught this past Labor Day weekend on the Salmon River. </p> <p>"Nothing says fall like salmon and apple cider," he said. "I like to smoke my salmon for between 6 to 8 hours to make it like a jerky. It is also good smoked smoked to 140 degrees and served under a fried egg and bacon."</p> <p>Bomysoad currently lives in York, Pa. He moved from there from Syracuse two years ago.</p> <p><strong>Bomysoad's smoked salmon recipe:</strong><br /><strong><br />Ingredients</strong></p> <p>2 cups of brown sugar<br />1/4 cup salt<br />1 tblspoon garlic salt<br />1 tblspoon onion salt<br />1 tblspoon cinnamon<br />1 tblspoon Tabasco sauce<br />6-8 cups of apple cder</p> <p><br /><strong>Salmon preparation</strong></p> <p>Clean salmon fillet well (cut out the blood line, remove bones)<br />Lay Salmon on cutting board and slice into 1/4" strips (top to bottom)<br />Place Salmon strips in separate large mixing bowl</p> <p><strong>Directions</strong><br />Start w/ medium size mixing bowl<br />Add dry ingredients then mix together<br />Add cider to ingredients then mix well<br />Pour brine over salmon into large mixing bowl <br />Ensure all fish are covered<br />Place Seran wrap or lid on mixing bowl and refrigerate for minimum 12 hours, up to 3 days<br />Remove salmon from bowl, pat dry<br />Smoke with apple wood 4 to 8 hours</p> <p>Have a great freshwater fish recipe or wild game recipe to share? Send them to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> A high response rate to the survey will help ensure that the study findings are representative of all deer hunters across New York State, said DEC Commissoner Joe Martens. </p> <p> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today announced that a statewide deer hunter survey is underway in an effort "to provide improved deer hunting experiences across the state."</p> <p>Those who receive the survey are encouraged to take the time to complete and return it as soon as possible. It's being conducted for the DEC by the Human Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell University. </p> <p>"I encourage hunters and other deer management stakeholders to support our efforts to address yearling buck harvest strategies through a systematic and balanced process," Commissioner Martens said. "A high response rate to the survey will help ensure that the study findings are representative of all deer hunters across New York State."</p> <p><strong>The following is a DEC press release:</strong></p> <p>During the development of the 2012-2016 deer management plan for New York, some hunters expressed strong interest in modifying hunting rules/regulations to allow more bucks to live to older ages and develop heavier bodies with larger antlers.</p> <p>As a result of that input, one of the objectives in DEC's current deer management plan is to "Encourage various strategies to reduce harvest of young (1.5 year old) bucks in accordance with hunter desires." </p> <p>In addition to hunters voluntarily deciding not to shoot young bucks, managers could enact a variety of rules/regulations to reduce harvest of young bucks, all of which involve tradeoffs for hunters.</p> <p>For example, depending on the action taken to reduce harvest of young bucks, hunters may have to give up some freedom to shoot a buck of any age or size, or give up some opportunity to hunt bucks. DEC needs current information on hunters' views to understand how different buck harvest strategies may affect hunter satisfactions.</p> <p>Specifically, DEC needs to understand hunter's views on the importance of reducing harvest of young bucks relative to the associated loss of choice or loss of opportunity. This fall, DEC is sponsoring a statewide survey of hunters to provide that information.</p> <p>In mid-October, Cornell University staff will mail questionnaires to a statewide random sample of 7,000 big game license holders with an invitation to participate in the survey.</p> <p>By gathering information on the relative importance hunters place on different types of deer hunting and harvest opportunities, the survey will help wildlife managers identify which buck management strategy best balances hunter opinions in various regions of the state.</p> <p>DEC encourages all hunters who receive a questionnaire to complete and return it promptly. DEC requests to hear from every hunter in the sample, regardless of whether they went afield or took a deer last year. To maintain scientific integrity and preserve the random sampling survey design, DEC will not accept requests to participate in the survey.</p> <p>Results of the survey will be used during 2014 to help evaluate a variety of buck harvest strategies through a "structured decision-making process".</p> <p>The basic elements of this approach were discussed in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping guides, and are discussed further <a href="www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27663.html">on the DEC website</a>.</p> <p>DEC staff will consider survey results along with deer population management needs across various regions of the state as a basis for possible regulation changes for fall 2015.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

With the orchard trees having been unattended for over 30 years, they were ideal for demonstrating. Fernando Araya, a local arborist, talks about some basics of tree pruning, demonstrating on an apple treeRichard Drosse photo More than 50 people came to Great Bear Springs Saturday to attend a tree pruning presentation. The demonstration took place in an apple orchard in the area, which has been unattended for more than 30 years. The Great Bear Recreational area is owned by the City of Fulton and the Town of Volney. The presentation was sponsored by the Fulton Public Library and Friends of Great Bear. Richard Drosse, coordinator of Friends of Great Bear, gave the following account. "Fernando Araya, a local arborist, was the presenter and instructor. Araya formatted the program so as to use the apple trees at Great Bear and included corresponding information applicable for pruning in general. "A young apple tree was selected to demonstrate pruning techniques to develop proper and healthy growth into a mature tree that would bare fruit in several years. "For the second segment, a mature apple tree was selected. The tree was in need of thinning out overgrowth of limbs and sucker branches. Demonstrating with hand tools and chainsaw, Araya worked at ridding unwanted branches and limbs, opening up the tree's canopy for proper growth and fruit development. Using an orchard ladder and safety gear, Araya prunes unwanted branches in the canopy.Richard Drosse photo "Many pruning questions were answered along with visual demonstrations. The apple trees, with surrounding brush, at Great Bear, present an ideal habitat for wildlife. When brush is cleared under and just around the trees, it allows for deer and other animals to feed on the dropped apples, but gives the animals a safe habitat to retreat to. This presentation was sponsored by the Fulton Public Library and Friends of Great Bear. The Great Bear Recreational area is owned by the City of Fulton and the Town of Volney. For more on the group, Friends of Great Bear, see its website.. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Meanwhile, if you've seen a Eurasian wild boar or any other type of feral pig lately, the DEC wants to know about it. Call its Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Extension 247. New York State took steps this week to stem the spread of wild, Eurasian boars by banning their import and use in so-called "canned hunts." Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill this past week that outlaws hunting Eurasian boars and their hybrids, now done in fewer than 20 commercial hunting facilities statewide, according to the Associated Press. The new law also bans the importation, breeding of these animals and the act of releasing of them into the wild. Under the law, beginning in 2015, possession of a live Eurasian boar will be a crime in this state. Joe Watkins stands next to a wild boar that he shot in 2010 near his home in the Cortland County town of Scott. The boar had one-inch tusks and weighed about 475 pounds. It's being held up by a backhoe. Local hunters can currently hunt any Eurasian boars they encounter in the wild. However, a state Department of Environmental Conservation Department official said today that "DEC is planning to adopt regulations that would prohibit that in the near future." The new law was enacted to try and prevent an explosion of animals on the state's landscape, similar to that experienced by a number of southern and western states and in others as close as Pennsylvania. The animals tend to escape from the preserves and spread rapidly in the wild. Locally, Eurasian wild boars have become entrenched in the wild in parts of northern Cortland and southern Onondaga counties, along with parts of Tioga and Cayuga counties. State and federal wildlife biologists believe they likely started as escapees from a local private hunting preserve. The past couple of years, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service staff have been working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and local landowners to trap and kill them off. To date 150 have been captured and destroyed, DEC spokeswoman Lori Severino said. Some say those efforts have been highly successful. Others are doubtful. How many are out there right now? Nobody seems to know. In the past, the DEC put these animals under the classification of "feral swine," encouraging hunters to take them out whenever possible. The only requirement was possession of a small game license. There was no season set or daily take limit, and no restrictions on methods used, such as use of bait or even dogs. These two were taken while hunting in the fall of 2008. Marcus Eriksson (right) of Onondaga Hill took his boar, weighing around 300 pounds, while hunting from his tree stand in the morning. Peter Gianferrara (left) of Camillus took his boar mid afternoon. It weighed around 260 on the hoof. Both animals were taken in the Town of Scott in Cortland County. These animals average 100 to 120 pounds. However, I've written stories and run pictures in recent years of local hunters who have killed some in the 300- to 475 pound range. These animals are omnivores and will eat just about anything. They'll disturb and prey on ground nesting birds and their eggs, young deer fawns, snakes, lizards, rodents -- even road kill. In addition to native plants, they dine on just about any agricultural crop. They like to wallow in wet areas, where they destroy the vegetation, cause erosion and negatively affect water quality. They have razor sharp tusks and according to the DEC "can be aggressive toward humans, pets and livestock. They also have a tendency to spread -- fast. They tend to have litters of six to eight piglets, two or three times a year. So, can Central New York hunters continue to hunt and shoot (and if they want keep and eat their meat them under the new law? Rick Ellis of LaFayette and the deer and wild boar he shot from the same stand in Spafford Thanksgiving week in 2008. "The new law does not prohibit hunters from taking a wild boar that they may encounter in the field," Severino said. "However, the DEC is planning to adopt regulations that would prohibit that in the near future." Severino pointed out "shooting individual boars as opportunities arise is ineffective as an eradication method, and this causes the remaining animals to disperse and be more difficult for DEC or USDA to capture and remove." Meanwhile, if you've seen a Russian wild boar or any other type of feral pig lately, the DEC wants to know about it. Call its Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Extension 247. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Since forming eight years ago, the crew has been involved in repairing, relocating or building from scratch 58 lean-tos, in addition to other projects that help outdoors enthusiasts in the Adirondack Park. Paul DeLucia jokingly refers to the Lean2Rescue crew as "a bunch of misfits who fix lean-tos and then drink beer afterward." The loose-knit, volunteer group of men and women, many from Central New York, are much more than that. Since forming eight years ago, the crew has been involved in repairing, relocating or building from scratch 58 lean-tos, in addition to other projects that help outdoors enthusiasts in the Adirondack Park. The before shot of a lean-to that was decimated by a fallen tree at Mud Lake.Pete Davis photo "You may look at a photograph of us on a project and say, 'Man, what a bunch of rummies," said Doug Arnold, of Phoenix, who along with DeLucia has served as the group's project organizer on many of its projects lately. "But in truth, we have some very interesting people involved: a retired nuclear plant manager, a retired FBI agent, engineers, computer and IT people, construction people - folks like that," he said. The "after" photo of the Mud Lake lean-to after the Lean2Rescue crew did its thing.Pete Davis photo The past couple years, the group has grown and changed in several ways. After having worked almost exclusively in the western half of the Adirondacks, crew member have moved their focus to the eastern High Peaks area. In the process, they've recruited a steadily growing group of volunteers from that side of the park. Presently, the group has about 30 "core" members with more than 30 others who float in and out of projects, DeLucia said. "It gets kind of hard traveling back and forth from here," Arnold said, noting he has been on Lean2Rescue work sites nearly every other weekend throughout this year. "It's a four-hour ride - one way." In the beginning, the Lean2Rescue crew worked pretty much under the radar screen, supplying all the labor, building materials and tools - paying for everything out of their own pockets. DeLucia, who lives in Baldwinsville, said the biggest story lately has been the growing number of "partnerships" helping the group out with money and supplies, personnel and "warm/nice places" for Lean2rescue members to sleep while working on projects. The group has joined forces with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack 46ers, the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Open Space Institute and SUNY ESF to get the work done, he said. Highlights of the group's work the past two years include: Lean-tos: A total of six lean-tos have either been refurbished, moved or replaced in the John's Brook Valley in Keene Valley. One was taken apart and transported by the Lean2Rescue crew to another location at Nelson Lake near Old Forge. Another had been crunched by a fallen tree and had to be completely rebuilt. A seventh lean-to has been completely been built at the group's "lean-to hospital" in Keene and will be transported and reassembled near Bushnell Falls this winter. The site is five miles from the road and all the parts of the lean-too and tools to put it together will have to be transported in by the group. DeLucia explained the "lean-to" hospital is a barn owned by Hilary Moynihan, the Adirondack Mountain Club lean-too coordinator. Other ADK officials have arranged for use of ADK-owned cabins for free by the crew during the winter and in inclement weather, he said. Bridge repair: The past two years the crew has put their time, skills and backs into repairing three bridges on hiking trails in the Adirondack Park. In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the group spent seven days repairing a bridge over Ward Brook in the Seward Mountain range near Tupper Lake. Since DeLucia and several other Lean2Rescuers work at Welch Allyn, the group got assistance from other Welch Allyn employees during the company's volunteer day in July, repairing two bridges on the Windfall Pond Trail near Big Moose Lake. Lean2Rescue volunteer Sam Eddy, of Carthage, works on one of the footings of the fire tower at Woodhull Mountain.Pete Davis photo Fire tower repair: The Lean2Rescue crew added a fire tower repair job to its resume, a first for the group. Members spruced up a tower on Woodhull Mountain near McKeever on state land. The crew was granted special permission to use a shortcut through Adirondack League Club property to get to the job. The volunteers replaced two railings and hauled in (on foot) some 800 pounds of cement, water and tools to reinforce the tower's footings. Eagle Scout projects: Two of the lean-tos have been incorporated into Eagle Scout projects. Kellen Arnold, of Phoenix, oversaw the renovation of one in Henderson. Keith Dickover, of Skaneateles, was actively involved in the renovation of another at Spruce Lake. Working with prisoners: Lean2Rescue members worked alongside, and helped supervise state prisoners from the nearby Moriah Correctional Facility who were in a "shock treatment program." DeLucia said the prisoners were treated in a very militaristic fashion and there were a lot of "Yes, sirs," as the inmates took apart, moved and reassembled a lean-to at Gulf Brook, near Hurricane Mountain. The Lean2Rescue crew takes pride in hauling in and out much of the building materials and tools needed to each site, often over several miles of trails and at all times of the year. Lean2Rescue members, from left, Doug Arnold, of Phoenix, and George Dickover, of Skaneateles, work to relocate the outhouse at a lean-to at Bear Brook in John's Brook Valley. Fellow volunteer Adam Donahue helps check out the depth of the hole that was dug. Pete Davis photo The DEC has assisted by providing some building materials, occasionally getting them to the work sites by helicopter. DEC staffers have also assisted in the building process. The Adirondack 46ers have contributed $15,000 to date to the group's efforts. Other monetary contributions have come from Welch Allyn and General Electric. There's still a lot of work to be done. DeLucia figures there's anywhere from 150 to 170 lean-tos in the Adirondack Park, many that have been up for years and in disrepair. "The joke among us that we're getting paid double what we got paid on the last job - which is nothing." Arnold said. To find out more or to volunteer for Lean2Rescue, see the group's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The volunteers will get instruction Saturday on a number of skills, including trail grooming, trail prep and sign installation. </p> <p><br />The Chittenango Polar Bears snowmobiling club is hosting a seminar Saturday at the Ridge Golf Club for snowmobile trail maintenance bosses and other volunteers in preparation for the upcoming snowmobiling season, said Michael Fischer, a club member.</p> <p>Fischer is past president of the <a href="http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/">New York State Snowmobile Association.</a></p> <p>Volunteers from snowmobile clubs prep and maintain the majority of the state's snowmobile trails each year. Volunteers will be working throughout the area in coming weeks to get the trails ready and properly signed. </p> <p>This year's snowmobiling season for Onondaga County and other areas within the Southern Zone for deer hunting opens Dec. 18. The snowmobiling season in the Northern Zone, which includes the Tug Hill area, opens Dec. 9.</p> <p>Saturday's seminar is set to begin at 10 a.m. and will include lunch at noon, Fischer said. The golf club is located at 1281 Salt Springs Road Chittenango.</p> <p>"We will then move outdoors to do some actual post-pounding and sign installation," Fischer said. </p> <p>"This training is part of overall educational programs covering a variety of topics like trail groomer operator, chainsaw safety, CPR, youth snowmobile safety etc., he said.</p> <p>Registration for the seminar is closed. Fischer said volunteers from snowmobile clubs in Chittenango, Cazenovia, Morrisville, and Manlius are expected to attend.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> "Hat's off to Paulene & Braylee (her tracking dog)!" </p> <div id="asset-13643798" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/13643798-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="10-10-24-youthhunt -12.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption"></span><span class="byline"></span></span></span> </div> <p>A recent youth hunt in Onondaga County had all the makings of a successful thing -- with one thing lacking. The boy who shot the deer and his mentor could not find the deer. Enter Deer Search, a volunteer group that assists hunters in finding their deer by using a specially trained dog.</p> <p><strong>Gary Nastasti, of Syracuse, who was the hunting mentor for teen Jeremy Reynolds, 14, of LaFayette, tells the following story:</strong></p> <p>"On the first day of the Youth Hunt (Oct. 12), Jeremy & I set out for his first deer hunt. After sitting for about 45 minutes we spotted a 6 point buck about 200 yards out.</p> <p>"Jeremy was very patient. He waited until the buck was about 80 yards out & about to go into the hardwoods & out of sight. He pulled up his mother's 20 gauge Ithaca Featherlight and squeezed off an excellent shot.</p> <p>"The buck jumped up & disappeared. We waited a while and set off to find his first deer. We found bood and after tracking hm for about three hours we called it off.</p> <p>"I then called for the help of a Deer Search member, Paulene Eggers & her dog, Braylee. The next morning Paulene & Braylee met up with us and set off on the blood trail. After putting Braylee on the first sign of blood, it wasn't long before Braylee & Paulene led us right to Jeremy's first deer.</p> <p>"Hat's off to Paulene & Braylee!"</p> <p><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2011/12/who_you_going_to_call_if_youve.html">Read more about Deer Search.</a></p> <p><br /> </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> " I trained all summer doing weighted pack hikes for miles every night to get ready for the Rocky mountain terrain (very steep, high elevation). Took the elk 5 miles from a base camp and had to call in horses to pack him out," he said of the elk. </p> <p></p> <p>This year's bowhunting season will be a memorable one for Kyle Holbritter, of Camden, as he arrowed his first elk during a self-guided trip to Montana in September.</p> <p>He followed that up with his harvesting this week of an impressive, 9-point buck in Oneida County, which he described as his first "good CNY bow buck."</p> <div id="asset-13643682" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/13643682-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="Big Elk.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption"> Kyle Holbritter with an elk he took with his bow on a self-guided trip in Montana in September.</span><span class="byline"></span></span></span> </div> <p><strong>He wrote: </strong><br />" The elk was taken on a 'Do it yourself hunt,' in Montana, meaning you put a tent in a back pack and hike the public land with the bow.</p> <p>" I stayed for 10 days. It was the only elk we saw the whole 10 days.</p> <p>"It's a very hard hunt to plan and execute. You need everything with you to live in the woods and you need to get it all on a plane to get to Montana.</p> <p>" I trained all summer doing weighted pack hikes for miles every night to get ready for the Rocky mountain terrain (very steep, high elevation). Took the elk 5 miles from a base camp and had to call in horses to pack him out. It weighed 750 pounds and had a 5x5 rack.</p> <p><strong>As for the 9-point buck, he wrote:</strong></p> <p>"David, I did not get him on a hunting preserve. Wouldn't ever hunt one. Buck was taken on private land, though.</p> <p>" It was a 9 pointer, weighing 210 pounds. I took it in Oneida County. All I'll say is that it was south of Utica."</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We're encouraging runners to dress in a way that reflects a particular culture, ethnicity or nationality so the race is a celebration of diversity," she said. Caroline Tangoren Caroline Tangoren said the idea of organizing Sunday's Global Community 5K run came to her in August after a reading a chilling newspaper account of the lives of Syrian refugee at a Lebanese refugee camp. The account, published in the New York Times, included one refugee's comment that "'the only place we have is where we bury our dead." Tangoren, 17, a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, said she then went out for a run and began thinking of all the reasons she likes to run and how lucky she was not to have to worry about food, a roof over her head or being safe. She then thought of the refugees who are running to save their lives. She said she felt she had to do something. Tangoren came up with the idea of organizing a 5K and donating the profits. The teen contacted the office of the Catholic Charities of Onondaga County in Syracuse and was surprised to learn about its local Refugee Resettlement Program and that there were already Syrian refugees in the area. Through her involvement with the Model United Nations student program at school, she was also aware of Oxfam International, a group she felt confident would get money to the refugees. The proceeds from Sunday's run, which she organized with the help of friend, Nika Jonas, 17, of Syracuse, will be split evenly between both charities. Jonas is a student at Manlius Pebble Hill School. The race will begin at the Sawmill Creek Shelter at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. Runners will follow the East Lake Shore Trail. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The race will start at 9 a.m. Cost is $25 for those who pre-register on line; $35 on race day. "We're encouraging runners to dress in a way that reflects a particular culture, ethnicity or nationality so the race is a celebration of diversity," Tangoren said. For further information, see the race website at globalcommunity5K.org or check the race's Facebook page, "Global Community 5K. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Leftover DMPs will also be available in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1. The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that approximately 35,000 Deer Management Permits (DMPs) will be issued to hunters who were previously denied permits during the initial application period earlier this fall. Leftover DMPs will also be available in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) beginning Nov. 1. Deer Management Permits, which allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer, are issued for specific WMUs to control deer populations. In order to provide DMPs at point-of-sale locations DEC must anticipate the number of applicants in each WMU and assign a probability to each unit in order to issue the appropriate number of permits. This year, DEC received fewer permit applications than projected in many WMUs. DEC randomly selects applicants who were previously denied permits in these affected units during the initial application period. DEC completed the selection last week and has begun mailing permits to selected applicants. In addition to those who were previously denied permits, applicants from the following WMUs may receive DMPs (the approximate number of permits to be mailed is in parenthesis). For WMU locations, refer the 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit DEC's website. ⢠Hudson Valley Region: 3C (400), 3F (900), 3G (640), 3H (500), 3J (360), 3K (120), 3N (660), 3P (400) ⢠Capital Region: 4B (60), 4C (190), 4F (970), 4G (540), 4H (310), 4K (200), 4O (310), 4P (670), 4R (70), 4T (820), 4U (70), 4W (200), 4Y (700), 4Z (120) ⢠Adirondack Region: 5R (230), 5S (480), 5T (50) ⢠Western Adirondacks/Eastern Lake Ontario Region: 6C (60), 6K (780), 6P (710), 6R (550), 6S (340) ⢠Central New York Region: 7A (530), 7J (1300; all denied applicants), 7M (1890), 7P (470), 7R (3240), 7S (560) ⢠Western Finger Lakes Region: 8M (370), 8P (540), 8S (470), 8T (600), 8W (560), 8X (1570) ⢠Western New York Region: 9H (3500), 9J (1300), 9K (640), 9M (1360), 9N (1550; all denied applicants), 9P (570), 9T (230), 9W (1110), 9X (220), 9Y (240) Hunters not selected for a DMP will not receive a mailing from DEC. Selection for one of these permits will not affect any preference points issued to hunters who were not selected for their first choice area during the original application period. Additionally, in some WMUs, all applicants received permits during the initial application process or correction process, however, the DMP target was still not reached. In these units, DEC will reopen the DMP application process on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters may apply for leftover DMPs at any DEC license sales outlet beginning Nov. 1, 2013. Leftover DMPs will not be available by phone, by mail or via the internet. Applicants who previously paid the $10 DMP application fee or those that are exempt from the application fee will not be charged for this additional application. Applications for leftover DMPs will be accepted for the following WMUs: 1C, 3M, 3R, 3S (bowhunting-only), 7F, 7H, 7J, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 9A, and 9F. During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU all day. The status of permits will be reviewed each night. As individual units are filled, they will be removed from the list of those available effective the following day, with no further applications accepted for those units. A list of units with available leftover DMPs will be routinely updated on DEC's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> If you are not a member of the Onondaga Chapter and would like to join us, e-mail the Outing's Chair Lisa Druke at [email protected]. </p> <p></p> <p>The Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club schedules weekly hikes for its members.</p> <p>The following is a hike schedule for the coming month. If you are not a member of the Onondaga Chapter and would like to join us, e-mail the Outing's Chair Lisa Druke at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p> <p>For more on the club, <a href="http://www.adk-on.org/">see its website.</a></p> <p>Saturday - Onondaga Lake Clean Up Field Trip and Hike<br />Sunday - Twin Mtns. (Cats 35)<br />Sunday - FLT/NCT Work Hike</p> <p><strong>NOVEMBER Outings</strong></p> <p>Nov 2 - Lick Brook Trails<br />Nov 3 - Great Swamp Conservancy Fall Stroll</p> <p>Nov 9 - New Member Open House - Beaver Lake<br />Nov 10 - Green Lakes State Park<br />Nov 11 - Snowy Mountain</p> <p>Nov 17 - Sun Creek Walk</p> <p>Nov 23 - Workshop at Highland Forest/Hike<br />Nov 24 - Cazenovia Gorge Trail</p> <p>Nov 28- Thanksgiving Day Hike - Onondaga Lake<br />Nov 30 - Pratt's Falls</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Send it to me at [email protected]. If it's not too much trouble, a photo of the finished dish would help. Dress up, good-for-you salmon with oranges or apricot preserves. Jessica J. Trevino/Detroit Free Press/MCT Fall is prime time for hunting and fishing in Central New York. Anglers are lining the banks of the Salmon and Oswego river catching chinook and coho salmon and steelhead. Hunters are in the thick of the hunting season, taking deer (bowhunting only at this point), pheasant, grouse, woodcock and certain waterfowl (ducks, geese) in certain areas. OK, you've caught the lunker salmon, you've arrowed a deer, you've shot a couple of pheasants -- now what? Let's help each other out. Have a favorite fish or wild game recipe you'd like to share? Send it to me at [email protected]. A photo of the finished dish would help. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have a good freshwater fish or wild game recipe? Send it to me at [email protected]. Bill Lucas, of Syracuse, recently shared this recipe after I shared my favorite for preparing "blackened black bass" (Black bass is a term that's used to describe either large or smallmouth bass). Lucas wrote: "Dave - I have a lot of friends who love walleyes, but I prefer black bass fillets. I know, I know, I must be crazy! But my favorite recipe (and one that's made a lot of converts) is very simple. BLACKENED BLACK BASS Sprinkle both sides of fillets liberally with Cajun blackening seasoning mixture (see below) Get a cast iron pan very hot (you can do this outside on the grill because it does smoke) Add a tablespoon of butter, and as soon as it melts, add the fillets without crowding. Blacken one side (usually about 20 to 30 seconds) flip, and do the other side. Don't let them get dry. Serve with a sprinkle of parsley and lemon wedges. If you want a little less smoke, first dip the fillets in melted butter, and sprinkle them with the Cajun spices. Then you don't have to add the butter to the pan. If you don't have prepared Cajun seasoning, mix equal parts of salt, black pepper, and paprika (I like the smoked variety). I usually start with about a Tablespoon of each. Then add about one teaspoon each of the following: white pepper, pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. And a dash of oregano doesn't hurt. I've had people who have told me that they don't like fish try these, and come back for seconds. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Turn in poachers by calling 1-800-TIPP DEC. Thanks to the help of Capt. Matt Revenaugh, who heads the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 7 law enforcement team headquartered in Syracuse, I'm offering the latest in an on-going series entitled, "Keeping Watch." The idea is to give readers insight to the final disposition of tickets issued by our local environmental conservation officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The cases that appear here are cases where the defendant has either pleaded guilty or found guilty after trial. This is not intended to be all-inclusive list of cases handled, but is representative of dispositions received by the Region 7 law enforcement office. Click on the link below to see the most recent cases: R7 Fine 10-23-13.pdf View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

No word yet on the Otisco Lake nighttime shore walleye bite. CNY FISHING REPORT Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER Many of the salmon are still actively spawning in the riffle areas. After spawning, Pacific salmon (Chinook and coho) die, so each day there will be fewer and fewer of them in the river. More steelhead and brown trout are being caught in the lower river and this fish will also be working their way into the upper river. Good baits have been beads, egg sacs, egg imitating flies and various streamers. OSWEGO RIVER Salmon are still being caught throughout the river and more steelhead and brown trout are showing up. Good baits are egg-imitating flies, beads and plastics, and also egg sacs or skein.The bridge to Leto Island remains closed and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye shoreline bite is starting to pick up. Hot spots include Lewis Point, Oneida Shores, Bridgeport, Sylvan Beach and Lower South Bay. Use stickbaits like X-Raps and Challenger Minnows. CAYUGA LAKE No new information and no word on any brown trout or Atlantic salmon activity in the lake's tributaries. Vertical jigging had been working for lake trout with fish being found in 85-95 foot of water. Trolling down 60 to 90 feet over 100 to 160 foot of water with spoons or flasher and flies was also producing some lake trout. Yellow perch are being caught in the north end on small minnows. SENECA LAKE Lake trout are being taken 50 to 80 feet down over 115 to 130 foot of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Yellow perch are hitting on small minnows. OWASCO LAKE Yellow perch are hitting minnows and worms on the north end of the lake. Lake trout are also being taken on the north end by vertical jigging or trolling. Smallmouth bass are hitting crayfish or drop-shot rigs fished in 25 to 30 foot of water. OTISCO LAKE Largemouth bass are continuing to hit on stickworms and swimbaits. No word on the nighttime shore walleye bite. SKANEATELES LAKE Yellow perch are starting to hit on minnows fished in 30 foot of water. Smallmouth bass are still being taken on tube jigs, stick worms (Senko style baits) and drop-shot rigs in 10-35 feet of water. A few rainbows have been taken lately from shore on marshmallow and worm rigs. The bite should pick up once the lake's water temperature drops some more. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Bass are being taken in 15 to 25 feet of water on crayfish. Some big largemouths are being caught in areas with heavy weeds (6 to 10 feet). Walleye bite remains good along "the humps." Good lures continue to be Reef Runners or green Jigfish. Anglers are also reporting some good catches on perch, using fathead minnows and worms. A few nice-sized muskies are starting to be caught. One local angler recently caught and released a 51-incher. SODUS BAY Reports of nice-sized perch being picked up on fathead minnows in deeper water ( 30-35 feet out by the channel), and some are being caught in lower water. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass are hitting on crankbaits fished in 5-10 foot of water. Some large yellow perch are being taken. ** Remember the new fishing license year started Oct.1. Make sure you have your 2013-2014 license before heading out. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

What's the big deal about a new proposal to control the Lake Ontario water level? It could be something that gives the lake's ecology a good shot in the arm, environmentalists say ... others disagree. Paul DeLucia, of Baldwinsville, stands next to a refurbished lean-to at Middle Settlement Lake in the Adirondacks. It's a busy last few days on the outdoors front. Last Friday I covered the graduation ceremony of the state's newest group of environmental conservation officers and forest rangers and went fishing afterward with Joe Martens, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation on Oneida Lake. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the fishing trip. What if we got skunked. Bottom line: We caught a lot fish and Martens has a new-found respect for the lake's bass fishing. I've also been processing a number of pictures from the recent Youth Firearms Deer Hunt and the bowhunting season for deer. Good stuff. Other things I'm working on this week: - What's up with the Lean2Rescue crew lately? The hearty crew of volunteers has renovated 60 lean-tos in the Adirondacks to date --and is still going strong. - A big orienteering event is set for Nov. 2-3 at Highland Forest Park. Get your compasses and maps out and come join the fun. - What's the big deal about a new proposal to control the Lake Ontario water level? It could be something that gives the lake's ecology a good shot in the arm, environmentalists say ... others disagree. - I'm attending a lecture tonight (Wednesday) down in Ithaca being given by an investigative journalist a book he's written about "urban /suburban wildlife wars"-- specifically controversies in municipalities about the over-abundance of wildlife in those areas, such as deer. Should be interesting. - Following Marcellus bass angler Randy Lamanche's efforts to qualify for the prestigious Bassmaster Open and its $500,000 prize. - deer/motor vehicle accidents - A wrapup story on the DEC cormorant harassment program on Oneida Lake this fall. Other things I'm working on: - Commercial gill net fishing for perch on Lake Ontario (only a few individuals have licenses to do this). - Fall shoreline fishing for walleyes and rainbow trout. - Upland bird/pheasant hunting ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.. FIGURA ON FACEBOOK: For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Competitors compete against each other on trails and through the woods, using detailed maps and compasses. They must stop and register at "control stations" along the way. The use of a compass with a map is a key skill needed in orienteering.Stephen D. Cannerelli [email protected] Need help getting oriented to the outdoors? Check out the 20th Annual Scout-O competition set for Nov. 2-3 at Highland Forest Park in Fabius. It's being hosted by the Central New York Orienteering Club. Orienteering is a combination of cross-country running/quick walking and trying to find the quickest and easiest ways to reach the finish line. Competitors compete on trails and through the woods, using detailed maps and compasses. They must stop and register at "control stations" along the way. Barbara Sleight, co-director of the Scout-O event, said the weekend will consist of two parts. On Saturday, the emphasis will be on youth and it will be "an instructional/learning day". She said many Boy Scout troops from throughout the state are scheduled to attend, along with Girl Scouts, church and other community groups. Sleight said instructions will be given at park's community pavilion area from 9 to 11 a.m., and participants will have the rest of the day to cover a 3-kilometer course. "The most important thing is we'll go over instructions on how to use a map and a compass together," she said. 'Then they'll have to go out and use what they've learned." Sunday is an open competition, with team leaders getting instructions starting at 9 a.m. at the community pavilion area and the gun to start the race will go off at 9:30. There will be two categories of teams: small (3 to 5 members) and large (6-8 members). Sunday's competition will last 90 minutes and take participants throughout the park as they check in at control stations. Because of the size of the competition area, teams will have to break up and decide how they'll attack the course. "We're recommending that participants go out in groups of two or more for safety reasons," she said. "We don't want anyone getting lost." Plaques will be given to winners in the all-male, all-female and co-ed categories. The cost to participate is $10 per person for one day, $14 for both. Special 20th Anniversary Commemorative Scout-O patches will be given to all participants. For more information, see the Central New York Orienteering Club website at cnyo.us.orienteering.org. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Randy Lamanche is competing in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which begins Thursday and ends Saturday at Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas. He's fishing for a berth in the prestigious Bassmaster Classic, slated for late February. </p> <p></p> <p>Marcellus bass fisherman Randy Lamanche, the top angler for the the New York State B.A.S.S Chapter Federation squad, is competing in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Thursday through Saturday at Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.</p> <p>At the nationals, Lamanche will be competing for a berth in the prestigious <a href="http://www.bassmaster.com/news/bassmaster-classic-field-filling">Bassmasters Classic</a>. The Classic, which pits the best bass anglers in the country including many at the Elite Series level, is slated for Feb. 21-23 on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. The winner will receive $500,000.</p> <p>He qualified for the Arkansas tournament after finishing third in the Eastern Divisional Championship at Sebago Lake in Maine earlier this fall. There he competed against bass fishermen from throughout the Northeast, Canada and Spain.</p> <p>He has a good shot to make it to the Classic. Lamanche has to finish first in a group of nine anglers from across the country in this national competition to make it to the Bassmasters Classic.</p> <p>Lamanche has been New York State "Angler of the Year" twice before and has now made it to the next level, said said Fred Blom, vice president of the New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation. </p> <p>"To make the Classic is the ultimate dream and our Eastern Division is the only BASS Nation division to have had their angler actually win the Classic," Blom said. "So there is a lot of history here and Randy is an excellent ambassador for our sport."<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> She caught an impressive largemouth bass with an ice fishing pole, and then followed that up with getting a doe on the last day of the Youth Hunt weekend. </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Tom Murfitt, of Fabius, who described himself as a "proud father," sent me these pictures of his daughter Madelin and included the following story about the young lady's recent bass fishing and deer hunting exploits::</strong></p> <p>Murfitt wrote: "Attached are two pictures of my 14 year old daughter, Madelin Murfitt.</p> <p>In the first picture she and her girlfriend, Elizabeth George, 14, came to me and asked if they could go fishing at a pond not far from our house. </p> <p>":hey asked for a couple of rods and unfortunately I could only provide them with an ice fishing rod and a normal rod. I outfitted both poles with Mepps spinners and the girls were off.</p> <p>"They returned at dusk to my amazement with a, 18" inch 3lb 4oz. large mouth bass. Maddy informed me that she caught the whopper on the ice fishing rod and it gave her one heck of a fight. Elizabeth caught the two smaller ones and they kept on fishing trying to get Elizabeth bigger one, however it didn't work out. The fish was caught a couple of weeks ago in late September.</p> <p>"Then on October 14, 2013, we had just arrived home from the Adirondacks at about 3 p.m. We had previously talked about how we missed the youth hunt on our ride home from the trip.</p> <p>"Once home Maddy said that she really wanted to go out deer hunting. We discussed the practicality of trying to pull it off; driving to Dick's to get the license, returning home, gathering our hunting gear and getting out in the woods.</p> <p>" We ultimately decide to give it a shot. We arrived home with her first deer license in hand and at about 5 pm we headed into the woods. My 13 year old son, Thomas and my brother Todd joined us with their bows.</p> <p>"Once in the woods we went our separate ways and Maddy and I sat on the edge of a field and my brother and son took to the hardwoods. We tucked ourselves into hedge row at 5:30 pm.</p> <p>"A half-hour later, I glassed the fields and located a deer off in the distance. Maddy and I made are way over to the direction of where the deer was and when we closed the distance down to 200 yards, we belied crawled to an opening between two hedge rows.</p> <p>" raised up to my knees and glassed the field where I last saw the deer to my surprise I not only saw one deer, but now there were 8-10 of them grazing in the field, bucks and does! Maddy inched up to me and I pointed out the deer.</p> <div id="asset-13630560" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/news/photo/13630560-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2013-10-20-youthhunt13.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption">Madelin with her doe.</span><span class="byline"></span></span></span> </div> <p>"With the Thompson Center .50 cal muzzeloader in hand she got into a prone position. We were both experiencing difficulties with our optics fogging up but she finally told me that she had one in her sights, in was about 150 yards out.</p> <p>"She would soon touch one off and after the smoke of the black powder dissipated we saw nothing but whitetail flags disappearing into the woods. With no deer down in the field, we checked the wood line with the assistance of my son and brother.</p> <p>"Soon my son located a small amount of blood, just inside the wood line and we set off on the blood trail. After a long 3 hours we located the downed doe and my daughter was thrilled.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The docks will be removed during the week of Nov. 4. The launch will continue to be open after the docks are removed, as long as the driveway is clear of snow and ice. David Lemon, the DEC's Region 7 fisheries manager, wrote me the following today: "With ice and snow right around the corner it is getting to be the time of year when we have to pull the docks at our launch site on Skaneateles Lake. "We must do this while conditions allow and we have crews to do so. We plan on removing the docks during the week of Nov. 4 (but haven't set a day yet). "The launch will continue to be open after the docks are removed, as long as the driveway is clear of snow and ice. "We strive to keep the launch open as long as possible, but we also can't take the chance of boaters getting stuck down in there once conditions worsen," Lemon said. Thanks in advance - Dave View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog