HuntingNY-News

<p> "As a father, I could not had dreamed for a better outcome on a child's first deer hunt." </p> <p><br />Brandon Damico, 15, of Moravia, poses with an 8-point deer he harvested on the first day of the Youth Firearms Deer Hunt this past weekend.</p> <p>His father, Michael Damico, wrote: "Beginners luck has to play into this a little bit, but the result was fantastic. This took place Saturday in New Hope in Cayuga County (near the south end of Skaneateles lake)</p> <p>"Brandon harvested his first ever buck using his Remington 700, 243 rifle from around 70 yards.</p> <p>"We had setup on the ground between a set of pines and an open hay field that the deer regularly visit in the evening.</p> <p>"At around 6:10, the 8-point buck cleared the golden rod on the edge of the pines and provided a clean shooting opportunity in the open hay field.</p> <p>" 'Excited' hardly describes the moment after the shot. The deer weighed in at 152 pounds field dressed and was aged at roughly 3 years old.</p> <p>"As a father, I could not had dreamed for a better outcome on a child's first deer hunt."<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> "This is Tyler's first deer ever," his father said. "It weighed about 140 pounds.". </p> <p></p> <p><br />Tyler Andrews, 14, of Liverpool, poses alongside a deer he shot Saturday during the Youth Firearms Deer Hunt Saturday. He shot the deer in Pennellville with a 20-gauge shotgun, his father, Ken Andrews Jr., said.</p> <p>"This is Tyler's first deer ever," his father said. "It weighed about 140 pounds.".<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> See the results of five local triathletes who competed Saturday at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii </p> <p><br />Saturday appears to be a day of rest for local road race runners -- with exception of a 5K run in Eaton.</p> <p>The action picks up Sunday, with a half dozen races taking place. The highlight is the Empire State Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay. Another half marathon is taking place Sunday in Cortland, in addition to a handful of 5Ks elsewhere with Halloween themes. </p> <p><strong>Scheduled races:</strong></p> <p><strong>1). Eaton 5K:</strong> Starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, village fire house, Mechanic Street, Eaton. For more, go to <a href="http://nyroute20.com">nyroute20.com</a> and click on "Route 20 Road Challenge 2013."</p> <p><strong>2). Empire State Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay:</strong> Starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at NBT Bank Stadium, Syracuse. For more, see <a href="http://empirestatemarathon.com.">empirestatemarathon.com.</a></p> <p><strong>3). Cortland YMCA Leaf Peeper Half Marathon</strong>: Starts at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Yaman Park, Kennedy Drive, Cortland. For more, see <a href="http://cortlandymca.org">cortlandymca.org</a> or call 607-756-2893.</p> <p><strong>4). STC Halloween Run 5K:</strong> Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville. Runners are encouraged to wear customs. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Children's fun run starts at 9:30 Sunday. The 5K begins at 10. For more, see <a href="http://syracusetrackclub.org">syracusetrackclub.org</a>.</p> <p><strong>5). Hallowrun for Hunger 5K Run:</strong> Starts at 11 a.m. Sunday at Arrowhead Lodge Entrance, 8248 McKinley Road, Oneida Shores Park, Brewerton. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes. A children's half mile fun run is set for 10:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes in adult and children categories. For more, see <a href="http://hallowrun.com">hallowrun.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>6). 5K/10K Monster Scramble:</strong> Starts at 10 a.m. Sunday at Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes. Prizes for top runners and best costumes. For more, email [email protected], call 1-800-344-4867 extension 70701 or see <a href="http://eventnyr.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageNavigator/GEN_NYR_Monster_Scramble_5K.html">fleetfeetsyracuse.com</a>.</p> <p><strong><br />7). Trick R Trotk 5K and Fun Run:</strong> Starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Emerson Park, Auburn. 5K and 1 mile run. For more, see trickrtrot.com.</p> <p><strong>Running notes:</strong></p> <p>1). Five Central New York triathletes competed Sunday in the Ironman World Championship at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.</p> <p>The local triathletes competed in age group competitions. Local competitors, and the age group they competed in were <strong>Andy Powell</strong>, of Marcellus (40-44); <strong>Dave Burger</strong>, of Pennellville (45-49); <strong>Eric Hinman</strong>, of Syracuse (30-34); <strong>Steve McCormick</strong>, of Manlius (60-64) and <strong>Kristin White</strong>, of Manlius (40-44).</p> <p>The competition started off with a 2.4- mile swim, followed by 112 miles on a bike. Competitors finished by running a full marathon (26.2 miles).</p> <p>The local competitors' results (age group finish and times) were : Andy Powell (305th, 11:08:13); Dave Berger (249th, 9:50:07); Eric Hinman (177th, 11:10:49); Steve McCormick (54th, 13:40:00) and Kristin White (84th, 13:45:38). For more, see ironman.com.</p> <p>2).Owen Strong, 21, of Fayetteville, finished 6th Sunday overall in the men's division of the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon in Albany. His time was 2:46.25.</p> <p><strong>Last weekend's results</strong></p> <p>1). <strong>The LaFayette Apple Run:</strong> 5 and 15 K runs. Held Sunday at Tully Farms Road, LaFayette. See results at<a href="http://leonetiming.com/"> leonetiming.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>2). Run For Their Life: </strong>5 and 15K runs, held Sunday at Manley Field House, Syracuse University campus. See results at <a href="http://leonetiming.com.">leonetiming.com.</a></p> <p><strong>3). Renee's Run:</strong> Held Saturday at Lakeland Park in Geddes. See at <a href="http://leonetiming.com/2013/Roads/Renee5K13.htm">leonetiming.com</a>.</p> <p><strong>4). Montezuma Aqueduct 5K Run/Walk:</strong> Held Saturday at Montezuma Heritage Park in Montezuma. See results at <a href="http://leonetiming.com/2013/Roads/Montezuma5K13.htm">leonetiming.com</a>.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The statewide coyote hunting season opened Oct. 1 and closes March 30. There is no daily bag limit as to how many can be taken. </p> <p><br />Logan Pixley, of Greene, didn't get a deer during the opening day of the state Youth Firearms Deer Hunt. He shot a coyote.</p> <p>His grandfather, Norm Pixley, wrote: "This is a coyote that my grandson got the first morning of the youth deer hunt. He was hunting with his Dad, Lou Pixley.</p> <p>"They were hunting on their land in McDonough, NY. On Sunday, they saw a nice 8 point at about 20 yards, but he was eating apples behind some thick brush so the boy couldn't get a clean shot.</p> <p>"The coyote weighed 40 pounds."</p> <p>The statewide coyote hunting season opened Oct. 1 and closes March 30. There is no daily bag limit as to how many can be taken.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The discovery highlights hazards of relocating animals among habitats. The following is a press release from SUNY ESF: A new species of the giant fish arapaima has been discovered from the central Amazon in Brazil, raising questions about what other species remain to be discovered and highlighting the potential for ecological problems when animals are relocated from their native habitats. "Everybody for 160 years had been saying there's only one kind of arapaima. But we know now there are various species, including some not previously recognized. Each of these unstudied giant fishes needs conservation assessment," said Dr. Donald Stewart of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), who made the discovery. The discovery was reported in a paper Stewart published this month in the journal "Copeia." For two centuries, arapaima have been among the most important commercial fishes in freshwaters of the Amazon. "Arapaima have high economic, cultural and scientific value, but their diversity has been overlooked for too long," Stewart said. Four species of arapaima were recognized in the mid-1800s, but in 1868, Albert Gunther, a scientist at the British Museum of Natural History, published an opinion that those were all one species, Arapaima gigas. Over time, Gunther's view became the prevailing wisdom. "Until this year, no taxonomist has questioned Gunther's opinion about these iconic fishes," Stewart wrote. That lack of inquiry changed, however, when Stewart began studying the genus in Guyana and Brazil. "If you're going to do conservation biology, you have to be sure about the taxonomy of the animals being studied," he said. "If each study area has a different species, then results from one area should not be applied to manage populations in the next area." Delving into scientific literature from the 19th century and examining original specimens preserved at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, Stewart concluded that all four of those originally described species were, in fact, distinct. Earlier this year, Stewart re-described one of those original species (in a paper published in the March issue of "Copeia") and summarized status of the other three species. Stewart's most recent discovery came when he examined preserved arapaima at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia in Manaus, Brazil. This new description brings the total number of species to five. The recently identified specimen was collected in 2001 near the confluence of the Solimoes and Purus rivers in Amazonas State, Brazil. It is distinguished from all other arapaima by several characteristics, including the shape of sensory cavities on the head, a sheath that covers part of the dorsal fin and a distinctive color pattern. Its scientific name, A. leptosoma, is in reference to its slender body. "Failure to recognize that there are multiple species has consequences that are far reaching," Stewart said. "For example, there is a growing aquaculture industry for arapaima, so they are being moved about and stocked in ponds for rearing. Eventually pond-reared fishes escape and, once freed, the ecological effects are irreversible. A species that is endangered in its native habitat may become an invasive species in another habitat. The bottom line is that we shouldn't be moving these large, predatory fishes around until the species and their natural distributions are better known. Given the uncertainties, precaution is needed." There is also the problem that arapaima are the most historically overexploited fishes of the Amazon Basin, having been subjected to intense and largely uncontrolled fishing pressure for at least a century. "Abundances of arapaima in large expanses of their natural habitat today are near-zero, largely as a consequence of overfishing," said Dr. Leandro Castello, an authority on arapaima in Brazil. "The likely impacts of this magnitude of overfishing on species diversity are not good." Stewart said the newly discovered species is on display in a public aquarium in the Ukraine, where it was identified as Arapaima gigas, the single name that has been applied to all arapaima for the past 140 years. It thus appears this new species already is being cultured and exported from South America, but under the wrong name. Stewart's work was supported by ESF and the National Geographic Society. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> He caught it on a shiner. </p> <p><br />Josh Vircillo, of Lyncourt, landed this nice Onondaga Lake largemouth bass recently use a shiner as bait.</p> <p>He said it measured 20 inches and weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces. He let it go after this photo was taken.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Be sure and include when and where the deer was shot, what kind of firearm was used, number of points if it's a buck, weight of deer...and anything interesting concerning the individuals involved. I've received a couple already, but I'd like to see more photos of successful teens who participated in this weekend's state Youth Firearms Deer Hunt The three-day hunt began at sunrise Saturday and ends at sunset today. Resident and non-resident junior hunting license holders (ages 14-15) may take one deer with a firearm, provided they are accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. Mentors are not allowed, though, to carry a firearm or bow to pursue deer. Photos should be tasteful (no excessive blood or gore, or tongues hanging out of the deers' mouths). Also, please include the full name, age, and where the successful youth hunter lives, as well as the name and residence of the adult who accompanied him or her. Also, be sure and include when and where the deer was shot, what kind of firearm was used, number of points if it's a buck, weight of deer...and anything interesting concerning the individuals involved. Include a daytime phone number where you can be reached for further questions. I can be reached at 470-6066. Email photos (full resolution, jpg attachment) to [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It weighed 19 pounds and had a 7.5 inch beard. Chris Adessa, of Union Springs, poses with his first ever, tom turkey, which he harvested recently. His son, Caleb, is also in the picture. Adessa wrote: : Got him at my inlaws ( in Ensenore, on the western side of Owasco Lake) when I was going to pick up my son Caleb. This is my first ever tom turkey. I only harvested two jake before. "Dressed on scale at 19 lbs. It had 15/16-inch spurs and a 7.5" beard. "He was 20 yards away, I used my 12 gauge with an IC choke, and 2.75", No. 8 shot. I know this isn't a 'normal' turkey set up, but that's what i had because i just returned from a shoot for chuckars, pheasants, and quail. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He shot it in Lafayette. Christopher Elliott, 15, nice, 6- point buck in Lafayette Sunday during the youth hunt weekend. It weighed 130 to 140 pounds. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it on a Lake Clear Wobbler. Milt Franson, a Liverpool wildlife artist, holds up a 15 1/2-inch male brook trout he caught and released in "a little north Adirondack pond. He wrote: "I caught it on my 75 birthday. I released it quickly so we can try it again next year with another 2-3 inches on it." He added: " I'll use this as reference for another brook trout painting, especially for the bright red-oranges it has even on it's tail." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Kallet Theatre will be the site of the Salmon River Sports Expo, featuring outdoors exhibitors and vendors from through the region. The Expo will run both days. The two-day, 14th annual Salmon River Festival is set for downtown Pulaski Saturday and Sunday. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Activities are scheduled at South Park and the newly renovated Kallet Theatre. The Kallet Theatre will be the site of the Salmon River Sports Expo, featuring outdoors exhibitors and vendors from through the region. The Expo will run both days. Saturday, a chicken barbecue is scheduled throughout the day at South Park. Commercial vendors will also sell food all day on Sunday. All sorts of craft and other types of vendors will also be featured each day. A total of six bands are scheduled to play during the weekend -- three each day. There is no fishing derby this year. For more, see the Pulaski-East Shore Chamber of Commerce website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This year's story lines on the reality TV show will include Lake Ontario charter boat captains based in Oswego, along with the Oswego River fall fishing scene. The annual Salmon River chinook and coho salmon spawning run is approaching its peak this weekend and Pat Donnelly is once again at the river and in Pulaski filming it for his reality TV series. Donnelly's TV mini-series, "The Run," premiered this spring on the Sportsman Channel and has since run on the local cable channel as well. The four-part series followed the lives of a host of characters -- Lake Ontario charter boat captains, Salmon River fishing guides, employees of local businesses, etc. - who depend on this annual fishing phenomenon. "This community depends on the run. These four weeks can either make or break the whole year for many businesses," said Patrick Donnelly, head of Team E Media, the Weedsport-based, production company making the series. Andy Saunders, of Syracuse, a retired professor at SUNY ESF, hoists a 42-inch, spawning chinook salmon he caught and released on the Salmon River in late August. Ray Norton photo Donnelly said the show's first season was well-received. It looks like the second season of the show will have its original characters and businesses back, and several more have been added in the story lines. The original sponsors are still on board and more have signed on - both at the local and national levels, he said. In addition, Donnelly has brought the Oswego fishing scene into the fold. This summer, he began filming the activities of a couple of charter boats based at the marina in the city of Oswego, and is currently following the Oswego River fall salmon fishing scene as well. "The Oswego River is going to be a great story line. You have urban fishing that's pretty good, compared to the country fishing that takes place on the Salmon River," he said. "You also have the whole thing with the river going up and down, the horns from the power station sounding off when that happens - plus the added element of danger when fishing those waters." He's also filming a morning with a DEC environmental conservation officer on the Salmon River as he patrols and makes sure anglers are following all the rules, particularly those against snagging. Donnelly noted that before being given approval, he had to submit to the DEC every possible question that might be asked of the officer ahead of time. Donnelly is the son of DIRT auto racing mogul Glenn Donnelly. Team E Media, located in specializes in sportsman and motor sports television production. Its shows have aired on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, Pursuit Channel, Time Warner Sports and Speed. Donnelly said this fall is shaping up to be a "banner year" on the Salmon River. John Berry | [email protected] "The fish started running early this year and they haven't stopped," he said. "And for whatever reason, there's lots of huge fish. Last year the average fish seemed to be about 23 pounds. This year, it's more like 28 pounds." Donnelly said the filming has brought him closer personally to all the characters in the show as it highlights how important this 35-40 day stretch each fall is to their economic well-being. "We're living their lives through the cameras. They're working double shifts this time of year ," he said. "One of the fishing guides we're following just had his truck blow up. He couldn't afford to be down for even a day. He earns $1,000 a day, plus tips. "He just went out and bought another truck." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

We live in such a beautiful place. Sometimes you just have to pause and appreciate it. I snapped this photo last night with my iPhone in Auburn. It was taken in front of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. I was headed into the YMCA to play volleyball. The beauty of his sunset made me pause. Frankly, the photo doesn't do it justice. We live in such a wonderful place. Sometimes you just have to pause and appreciate it. (And yes, we did win our volleyball game. It was close, though.) View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This is a neat place that we will definitely be returning to again and would be a good candidate for next year's Figura Challenge bucket list. Paul Pflanz, of Syracuse, wrote the following about him and his wife, Linda, visiting the Seneca Meadows Wetland Preserve: "Linda found a new birding spot, the Seneca Medows Wetlands Preserve just outside of Waterloo. It is between Rt 414 and Black Brook Road. See the website. "It has several miles of trails, all well maintained crushed stone with only a few spots where the wetland intrudes on the pathway. Boots aren't necessary but aren't a bad idea. There are several pools and ponds and a small hill in the center providing an overlook. "Today we saw sandhill cranes, herons, a bittern, a hawk and some large dragonflies. It is apparently associated with the Seneca Meadows Landfill, a huge facility on the west side of rt 414 opposite the preserve. A landfill and a wetlands preserve are an interesting combo, possibly the preserve was part of the deal to approve the landfill location. There is an ed center building on rt 414, but we have not found it open on two separate visits. "This is a neat place that we will definitely be returning to again and would be a good candidate for next year's Figura Challenge bucket list." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There's good evidence collected from sightings and gill netting outings, that adult sturgeon are alive and well in the lake. Watch video It's been a long time coming, but lake sturgeon are finally coming back in certain waterways across the state. Local lake sturgeon numbers got a boost this past week when state Department of Environmental Conservation staff stocked 2,500 fingerlings from a boat, and also from shore at the Cayuga State Park boat launch on Cayuga Lake's northwestern end. The fingerlings, averaging 6 inches, were raised at the DEC's Oneida fish hatchery in Constantia on Oneida Lake. The DEC began efforts to bring back lake sturgeon in 1994, stocking Oneida Lake, Cayuga Lake and several other rivers across the state. Lake sturgeon were last stocked in Cayuga Lake back in 2000, said Emily Zollweg-Horan, a DEC aquatic biologist responsible for managing the Cayuga Lake fisheries. Why now? Why Cayuga Lake? "Because we have some," Zollweg-Horan said. She noted there's good evidence collected from sightings and gill netting outings, that adult sturgeon are alive and well in the lake. Some are approaching or are at the spawning stage of their lives, which they reach when they get 15 to 20 years old, she said. In addition to the stocking, Zollweg-Horan and other DEC staffers set and pulled out gill nets on Cayuga Lake this past week. Thursday, they captured, tagged and released 10 big lake sturgeon in the northern and central areas of the lake. The largest measured 64 inches and weighed 70 pounds. She said the extensive and relatively shallow mud flats at the lake's northern are favorable to their survival. Lake sturgeon are bottom feeders, eating small invertebrates, mussels and small fish. Zollweg-Horan said each of the fingerlings stocked in Cayuga lake had tiny metal slivers (tags) inserted in their noses, with either small hash tags or numbers on them. Years from now, the metal tags will enable researchers using metal detectors to differentiate them from naturally born fish. Those helping out with Monday's stocking included Bill Evans, manager of the Oneida hatchery; John Gray, a fish culturalist at the hatchery; Heather Bull, a fish and wildlife technician from the DEC's Cortland office and Justin Ecret, a volunteer from Cortland. Other waterways getting stocked this fall, each receiving batches of 1,000 fingerlings, include the Salmon River, Raquette River, St. Regis River and the Genesee River. The St. Lawrence River is scheduled to get more than 5,000 fingerlings, Zollweg-Horan said. The fingerlings will come from either the Oneida hatchery or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife hatchery in Genoa, Wisc., she said. Lake sturgeon, the largest fish native to Great lakes basin, first appeared "during the Upper Cretaceous period 136 million years ago when dinosaurs still walked the earth," according to the DEC website. They can grow up to seven feet or more in length, achieving weights of up to 300 pounds. Males live as long as 55 years and females live as long as 80 to 150 years. "The biggest one I've ever seen measured about 6 ½ feet," Zollweg-Horan said. Lake sturgeon were once abundant in Lake Ontario, but virtually disappeared due to over fishing, the building of dams and habitat degradation. The fish is currently on the state's "threatened species" list. The DEC is currently partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Cornell University and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to bring lake sturgeon back. Officials in recent years have noted sturgeon in Oneida Lake seem to be the fastest growing of all those stocked. Among the activities being undertaken across the state to ensure their survival include "protection from fishing harvest, habitat improvements, stocking of fingerlings, and evaluations of the success of all these efforts," according to the DEC website. Zollweg-Horan expressed confidence that the spiny, leathery skinned fingerlings stocked Monday will make in Cayuga Lake. "They're not appetizing for other fish," she said. "They should do OK." Still a 'threatened species' Lake sturgeon are listed as a threatened species in this state. There is no open season to fish for them. Possession is prohibited. Those who unintentionally hook one should: 1). Avoid bringing the fish into the boat if possible. 2). Use pliers to remove the hook. Sturgeon are almost always hooked in the mouth. 3). Always support the fish horizontally. Do not hold sturgeon in a vertical position by their head, gills or tails, even for taking pictures. 4). Never touch their eyes or gills. 5). Minimize their time out of the water. **Source: DEC Catch a sturgeon? Report your catch to the DEC's Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Ext. 201. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He got it in Fabius. Bowhunter Floyd Welch, of Chittenango, poses with a 13-point buck he harvested in Fabius. He got the deer on Sunday. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Enjoy this GLORIOUS weather!" she wrote. Margie Manthey, of Marietta, wrote the following: "I snapped a couple of quick pics this morning of a handsome whitetail doe and her fawn before they 'melted away' into the surrounding woods here in Marietta. "I notice the deer are getting tougher to spot among the changing foliage, especially when they're bedded down. From my observations, most are in the thick of shedding out their summer coats and transitioning into their drab gray camouflage for the winter. "Enjoy this GLORIOUS weather!" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it while perch fishing near Big Bay. Ben Trowbridge, of Syracuse wrote the following: "Mr Figura, first off, I have a great time reading your blog and would like to thank you for the CNY fishing reports. My father and i had a fun little experience yesterday that may be interesting to you as well... "While fishing yesterday (10/9/13) primarily for perch near Big Bay on Oneida Lake, my dad, John Trowbridge from Honeoye, hooked into this big channel catfish. It took him 12 minutes to bring it to the boat since he was using light perch tackle. "It was a highlight of our evening but we were not sure if this is even a large one. Any idea? "I would estimate it was near 15 pounds, but not sure exactly since we didn't have a scale with us." Ben, I'm bad at guessing weights. Any readers want to weigh in? 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 10-09-13.pdf View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Lots of perch are being caught in Oneida, Cayuga and Owasco lakes. CNY FISHING REPORT Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO Many of the salmon have made their way into the estuaries or river mouths. Fishing on the lake has really started to wind down because of it. Salmon being taken around river mouths are shallow and are hitting glow j-plugs and glow flutter spoons. SALMON RIVER Salmon runs have been impressive, last 4 to 5 days. Chinook, coho salmon are in, along with a few steelhead and browns. It's peak time. OSWEGO RIVER Lots of salmon in the river. Good baits are egg-imitating flies and plastics, and also egg sacs or skein. A few trout are also being caught. The bridge to Leto Island remains closed and there are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. Visit the Oswego County Tourism website for more information. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye shore bite has been slow so far, with the exception of the east end, by Sylvan Beach. Perch fishing continues to be good, particularly around Frenchman's Island. CAYUGA LAKE Anglers reporting lots of perch being caught at the northern end. Use fathead minnows. Some nice-sized ones being reported. Vertical jigging has been working for lake trout with fish being found in 65 to 110 foot of water. Trolling down 70 to 80 feet over 100-160 foot of water with spoons or flasher and flies is also producing some lakers. SENECA LAKE Lake trout continue to be taken 80 to 120 feet down over 130 to 200 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Running Dipseys back 230 to 270 feet has been a good starting point, as is running copper out 300 to 400 feet. Lake trout are also being taken jigging with plastics in 75 to 130 foot of water. OWASCO LAKE Anglers are keying in on the perch lately, using fathead minnows in 15 to feet of water. Lake trout are also being at the northern end of the lake by trolling by jigging. OTISCO LAKE Largemouth bass are continuing to hit on stickworms and swimbaits. Cast near shore and also on outside weed edges. Bass are also hitting creature baits (Zoom brush hogs, beaver style baits, etc.) flipped our pitched into weed beds on the north end. A few bonus tiger muskie are also hitting on these creature baits fished in the weeds. No word on the nighttime shore walleye bite. SKANEATELES LAKE Smallmouth bass continue to be the story here. Anglers are catching them on on tube jigs, stick worms (Senko-style baits), topwaters and drop-shot rigs in 10 to 35 feet of water. Best bait, though, continues to be live crayfish. Still no word on the rainbow trout shore bite. 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. SODUS BAY Bass fishing continues to be slow. Fishing outside weed edges continues to work. Though fewer bass are being caught, the ones being caught have been nice sized. Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Rain earlier this week brought the reservoir's water level up. It's currently a little high. Reports of anglers catching some crappie and perch. ** 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

<p> Man, it's a great time to be here. Hunting, the Salmon and Oswego river fishing scenes, fall foliage -- cool night air. Love it. </p> <p><br />The outdoors scene in Central New York continues to unfold.</p> <p>Man, it's a great time to be here. Hunting, the Salmon and Oswego river fishing scenes, fall foliage -- cool night air. Love it.</p> <p><strong>Here's what I've been working on this week:</strong></p> <p>- The DEC stocked 2,500 sturgeon fingerlings (about 6 inches apiece) in Cayuga Lake earlier this week. It's great to see sturgeon, the largest and longest-lived of any of the freshwater fishes, making a comeback in local waters. </p> <p>- The upcoming three-day weekend marks the second annual Youth Firearms Deer Hunt. Send your photos of successful hunts to me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. Remember keep it tasteful. I'm looking for photos with no blood or gore. Photos of deer with their tongue hanging out will not be accepted.</p> <p>- Resident Canada geese and problems associated with them. For those who've been following my outdoors blog, Patty Adjamine from New York City woman last week wrote me a highly critical email for posting a photo of a young boy following a successful Canada goose hunt with his Dad. After finding out more about her,<a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/10/new_york_city_woman_expresses.html#incart_river"> I posted her comments on my blog</a> and more than 75 comments were posted.</p> <p>What became clear to me is that some readers are not informed about the extent of the problems associated with resident Canada geese in this area. As a result, <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/10/wanted_stories_about_resident.html#incart_river">I've asked readers to submit stories about what they're seeing or experiencing with Canada geese.</a> Please put them underneath my story on my blog so others can see. You can also send them to me at [email protected].</p> <p>- Deer/motor vehicle accidents. Still collecting information on this. I'd like to thank the 14 individuals who have emailed me, relating tales of having multiple run-ins with deer. (One woman said she's hit 12 deer while living here the past 30 years). </p> <p><strong>Other stuff I'm working on:</strong></p> <p>- An update on the Reynolds Pheasant Farm down on the Cornell University campus</p> <p>- Upland bird hunting</p> <p>- The status of open versus privately owned, fee-required fishing areas along the Salmon River.</p> <p>- An update on the TV show "The Run," a reality show based on the Salmon River fall scene that is currently filming its second season.</p> <p>- Commercial gill netting of perch on Lake Ontario </p> <p>- So, what's the deal with how the water level on Lake Ontario is regulated? A new plan addressing that issue is quite controversial.</p> <p>- An update on the volunteer-based cormorant harassment program on Oneida Lake.</p> <p>- A story on minority sportsmen (and women) who hunt, fish and hike in Central New York. </p> <p>- Continued updates on <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/05/take_the_figura_challenge_and.html">The Figura Challenge</a>. (I've extended it into the fall.)</p> <p><strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong><br />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 <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 470-6066.</p> <p><a href="http://update.syracuse.com/adv_syracuse/newsletters/syracuse/subscribe.htm">If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.</a>.</p> <p><strong>FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:</strong><br />For those who are on Facebook, I also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PostStandardOutdoors#!/PostStandardOutdoors#!/photo.php?fbid=3369108872206&set=a.1178365985003.2028364.1403751639&type=1&theater&notif_t=like">PS Outdoors page</a>, 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. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>- </p> <p> </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'd like to hear from readers about their observations concerning resident Canada geese in Central New York and any problems they might be causing. Prior to last month's Canada goose hunting season, which is designed to cull the number of Canada geese across the state, the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued a press release about the status of this bird. "When DEC established the September goose hunting season in the early 1990s, New York's resident Canada goose population was estimated to be around 130,000 birds, but today we have more than 200,000 birds," Commissioner Martens said. "New York waterfowl hunters annually take more than 50,000 Canada geese during the September season, and we hope the changes adopted this year will enable hunters to take even more to help reduce the population." Resident Canada geese are those that remain here throughout the year. They're different from those who migrate through each year from up north on their way to warmer climes during the winter. The reason the special season is in September is because in most cases the migration of the birds from up north has not started. Among the changes in regulations, the DEC upped the daily take limit to 15 birds a day per hunter. (The previous daily take limit was . See the press release concerning this. It seems, judging by comments from some readers of this blog, that some don't get or understand the extent of the problem -- and why the DEC has taken the actions it has. I'd like to hear from readers about their observations concerning resident Canada geese in Central New York, places where great numbers congregate -- and specifically, any problems they might be causing. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Youngsters under the age of 16 who recently took and passed a hunter education course and/or women who have participated in a recent Outdoors Women program will receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult. The Central New York Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) will host its 33rd Conservation and Sportsmen's Banquet Nov. 8 at the Genesee Grande Hotel, 1060 East Genesee St., Syracuse. The event will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. Individual membership and dinner tickets are $55. There is also a membership and spouse package for $90 which includes two dinners. Junior membership and dinner tickets are $35 each. Banquet, Conservation, Sustaining and Gold sponsorship packages are also available at $275, $500, $1,000 and $2,500. respectively. Youngsters under the age of 16 who recently took and passed a hunter education course and/or women who have participated in a recent Outdoors Women program (and can show some proof) will receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult. Ticket sales end Nov.4. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, games, drawings and door prizes; highlighted with a t selection of quality firearms, artwork and collectables. Proceeds from this event will be used to restore and protect area grouse and woodcock habitat. For more information and/or tickets call 697-3377 or email [email protected] . A reservation form can also be downloaded from the RGS website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It was 202 pounds dressed out. Big body!" his wife said. Submitted photo Bowhunter Chris Hunt, of Marcellus, poses with a 7-point buck that he shot in Marcellus recently. His wife, Cheryl, wrote: "This was Chris's third buck from a treestand, on private property. The buck was 20 yards away when he shot it with the bow. "It was seven points and 202 pounds dressed out. Big body!" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I emailed Adjamine today, wondering she had read all the comments posted by readers about her. She said she had, and intends to respond soon. Stay tuned. Earlier this week I posted comments from Patty Adjamine, a New York City woman who was outraged and condemning of a picture that ran recently on this blog of a 12-year-old Tully boy who legally shot two Canadian geese while hunting with his father. Among her statements: "As far as the claim that hunting helps in father/son '"bonding,'" I personally find this ludicrous." Just who is this woman? Among other things, I've found out she maintains a Facebook page, has a Twitter handle of @LoveThemGeese and founded a group in 1994 that on its website says it has rescued and placed several thousand homeless cats and dogs. Her anti-goose hunting comments, which I posted, resulted in 65 comments as of late today from readers, many who felt she was arrogant and uninformed -- the epitome of a New York City resident who naïvely thinks that what sees in Central Park and in the city is illustrative of the entire state's wildlife scene. One reader suggested she should consider registering to be a "fresh air kid" and brought upstate for a dose of reality. Another, posting a comment on another story, made a reference to her being a "hippy cat lady." However, a few readers posted comments applauded her views. Adjamine conceded she has been a vegetarian since 1976 and as a result that has colored her impression of hunting and those who eat what they harvest. She also noted she walks to Central Park daily and is constantly taking pictures of the one Canada goose there and the numerous ducks. She maintains a blog showing the numerous pictures she has taken of waterfowl at Central Park, in addition to stories about saving homeless cats and dogs,. Googling her name , I found out that she has written letters expressing her opinions to Newsday and the New York Times. I also discovered she is the founder of New Yorkers for Companion Animals (NYCA), which according to the group's website is a non-profit corporation founded in 1994. "Since it's inception, NYCA has successfully rescued and placed more than 5,000 abandoned or homeless cats and dogs," the website said. "We do not have a physical shelter or a salaried working staff, nor do we receive any government funding. We are entirely dependent on the sacrifices and caring of a handful of reliable and responsible volunteers and foster people and the generous and compassionate private donors who enable our mission." And Adjamine? "A lifelong New Yorker, Patty Adjamine has been an active advocate of animal rights since the 1980's, and continues to regularly write on the subject," the NYCA website said. "Patty began her animal rescue career at the age of 8, when she rescued her first cat. The brown tabby was discovered in the hallway of her apartment building with no tenants admitting ownership. Since her mother was afraid of cats, it required some persuasion, but Patty eventually convinced her mother to let her adopt the feline. "The cat ended up living 17 years in bliss, and most importantly," the website notes, "iinspired Patty to make animal advocacy her life's pursuit. "In 1994,she founded her own rescue organization to effect a greater impact. Since then, she has successfully found homes for thousands of homeless cats and dogs, and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness for this important cause," the website notes. I emailed Adjamine today, wondering she had read all the comments posted by readers about her -- particularly the one written by the mother of the boy in the picture that she so openly condemned. She said she had read the comments and intends on responding soon. Stay tuned. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog