HuntingNY-News

A number of outdoors celebrities will be present. The event is also being pitched as a fundraiser to assist conservation efforts. The new Bass Pro Shops store in Utica has its grand opening set for 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. The event, being called "Utica's Evening for Conservation," will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Afterward, Martin Truex Jr. driver of the No. 56 Toyota Camry and two-time National Series Driver, will be present to sign autographs. Apart from being a race car driver, Truex is an avid hunter and conservationist. Other outdoor celebrities expected include: • "World's Best All Around Shooter," competitive shooter Doug Koenig • RedHead pro hunting team members Jerry Martin and John Paul Morris • Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Marine pro team member Ott DeFoe • 2013 Miss New York USA, Joanne Nosuchinsky • Legendary angler and television host Jimmy Houston, of "Jimmy Houston Outdoors." The celebrities will be available to sign autographs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and visitors are encouraged to receive only one autograph per celebrity.. Others expected include: • Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris • Bass Pro Shops Director of Conservation Martin Mac Donald, • City of Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri • Bass Pro Shops Store Manager Joe Chaney The 60,000-square-foot store is a Bass Pro Outpost, which has a smaller footprint than full-size locations. The Utica store is about half the size of the Auburn location. Read more about it. The opening is also being pitched as a fundraiser to assist conservation efforts. For every dollar spent during the Evening for Conservation, 50 cents will be donated to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's "More Fish" campaign to conserve fish and their habitats. Local representatives from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be on hand. The store is located at the Riverside Center, 710 Horatio Street. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Supporters of the five can track their progress throughout the race Saturday on the event's website at ironman.com. Five Central New York triathletes - four men and one woman - are competing Saturday in the Ironman World Championship at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Competitors are scheduled to start with a 2.4- mile swim, followed by 112 miles on a bike and finishing up by running a marathon (26.2 miles). The local triathletes are all in age group competitions. None are competing at the pro level. Local competitors include Andy Powell, of Marcellus; Dave Berger, of Pennellville; Eric Hinman, of Syracuse; Steve McCormick, of Manlius and Kristin White, of Manlius. Hinman, 33, said this is his first time going to Kona, having missed qualifying last year by only one minute. He said he's been competing in triathlons for three years. He'll be competing the 30-34 age group. "I'm looking to do well. I'm going for the experience," he said. "I haven't competed in the heat before. I'm taking it all in." White, 42, who will be competing in the 40-44 age group, said this will be second time at the Ironman championship. "I went three years ago and ended up finishing 5th in my age group then (35-39) and 11th overall in the age groupers (not the professional division)," she said. "I recently got the cold that everyone has had, but I'm over that. "I'm ready," she said. Supporters of the five can track their progress throughout the race on the event's website at ironman.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Young hunters ages 14-15 can hunt deer with a firearm this Saturday, Sunday and Monday provided they're accompanied by a licensed adult mentor. Send photos from your successful hunt to [email protected]. The Youth Firearms Deer Hunt is set for this coming Columbus Day weekend. This will be the second year in a row for the special hunt. The three-day hunt begins at sunrise Saturday and ends at sunset Monday. 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. "The youth deer hunt is a great opportunity for the next generation of New York hunters and is an important step in preserving our hunting heritage while maintaining our ability to manage deer through hunting in the future," DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said following last year's hunt.. "We received enthusiastic feedback from parents and excited young hunters who took part of the Columbus Day weekend. These experiences demonstrate the great value of providing this unique opportunity for junior hunters." Send photos of successful hunts to [email protected]. See a photo slideshow of young hunters who submitted photos from their hunts last year. Among the hunt's rules: 1). The adult mentor must maintain physical control over the junior hunter at all times while hunting. This means the mentor and junior hunter must be close enough to talk without the aid of a radio and must be able to see each other. 2). Both the junior hunter and mentor must remain on the ground while hunting. The young hunter is not allowed to use a tree stand or hunt from an elevated platform. 3). Both must wear hunter orange visible from all directions: shirt, jacket or vest with at least 250 square inches of solid or patterned orange (the pattern must be at least 50 percent orange) or a hat with at least 50 percent orange. The special hunt, occurs during the regular bowhunting season for deer, which began Oct. 1. It will take place in both the Northern and Southern zones of the state, with the exception of bowhunting only areas and Suffolk County. Last year, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation website, a total if 1,411 deer were taken (53 percent antlered and 47 percent antlerless deer). A total of 61 of eligible junior hunters participated (7,779). "Non-participation was primarily influenced by lack of awareness of the Youth Deer Hunt and, to a lesser degree, by time conflicts during Columbus Day weekend," DEC officials said. "The Youth Deer Hunt was a safe hunt. No safety violations or injuries were reported, and no junior hunters were cited for hunting violations." For more, see the DEC hunting handbook or check out the DEC website. . Junior hunters may use a Deer Management Permit (antlerless-only), Deer Management Assistance Program tag (antlerless-only), or a regular season tag. During the youth deer hunt, junior hunters may use the regular season tag for a deer of either-sex. The youth deer hunt will occur in both the Northern Zone and Southern Zone, except in bowhunting only areas and Suffolk County. During the youth deer hunt, mentors may not carry a firearm or bow to pursue deer. Rules for 14-15 year old Junior Hunters and their mentors outlined below, including blaze orange requirements, also apply during the youth deer hunt. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There's six 5K races to choose from on Saturday. This weekend's racing scene offers runners a wide variety of 5K runs and a couple of 15K runs. Saturday's races 1). Renee's Run: A 5K race that starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Lakeland Park in Geddes. For more, see foreveryoung5k.com. Sunday's races 1). The LaFayette Apple Run: 5 and 15 K runs, with both starting at Tully Farms Road, LaFayette. The 5K run starts at 9:15 a.m., then 15K begins at 9:30. A fun run begins at 8:30. For more, see thelafayetteapplerun.org. 2). Run For Their Life: 5 and 15K runs, with both starting at the Manley Field House, E. Colvin Street, Syracuse University campus. The 1K begins at 9 a.m, the 5K starts at 9:10 and the 5K walk at 9:15. For more, see cmbarunfortheirlife.com. Last week's results: 1). Cortland YMCA Pumpkin Run 5K: Held Saturday in Cortland. For results, see cortlandymca.org.. 2). Run/walk for William 5K: Held Saturday in Baldwinsville. For results, leonetiming.com. 3). Syracuse Festival of Races: Held Sunday at Manley Field House, Syracuse University. Featured men's 5K; women's 5K, 3K fun and fitness run and 3K walk. for results, see syracuse.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"As far as the claim that hunting helps in father/son 'bonding,' I personally find this ludicrous," she said. Patty Adjamine, a resident of the Upper East Side in Manhattan, contacted me recently, expressing outrage and disgust about my outdoors blog running a photo of her blog where she runs photos of ducks and the one goose at Central Park. I don't argue with my readers about their philosophies about how the outdoors should be enjoyed. I learned early on that when one covers everything from birding to bear hunting you get a wide range of thoughts and opinions on just about anything. I did try to explain, though, to Adjamine there's a world of difference about life down in New York City versus Upstate New York, and that in fact there's so many Canada geese up here (and across the state for that matter) that the state Department of Environmenntal Conservation recently announced that it was upping the daily take limit during the September season to 15 geese a day. Before agreeing to run her comments below, I asked her a bit about herself. Adjamine said she takes 2 ½ mile walks every day to visit and observe "my" ducks and one goose at Harlem Meer in Central Park. Usually take photos and keep a journal (blog) of observations over the years. " The reason for writing about geese and ducks is that when discovering these birds in the park some years back and seeking information about them through books, all I could find was where to hunt them...Not exactly what I was seeking," she said. Adajamine supplied this photo she took of an unidentified girl feeding a goose at Central Park.Patty Adajamine Adajamine said she has been a vegetarian since 1978. "I do consume some organic dairy and yes, I am sure that plays a role in attitudes towards hunting -- especially for the argument of eating one's kills. "Obviously, meat is not essential for human health and according to much recent research, contributes to diseases such as heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity and a number of others. Among recent converts to or advocates of veganism are Bill Clinton (for health reasons) and Bill Gates (due to concerns for environmental destruction, waste of resources and unsustainability of meat based diet to feed growing human population). "Obviously, I am vegetarian mostly for ethical reasons, but do have concerns for the environmental impacts of (particularly) factory farming as well as its inexcusable abuse of animals," she wrote. The following is Adjamine's comments about the boy holding up two Canada geese that he bagged: "Canada geese have been long-time victims of wildlife mismanagement, as well as endless hunting campaigns that nearly sent the birds to extinction in the beginning of the last century. "Fearing loss of a favorite hunting target, wildlife biologists and hunting clubs captured the few remaining geese, (found in Minnesota) clipped wings and bred them to "restore" the population. Thousands of geese were later released, especially in the North East. "However, since the geese were bred and raised in this country, they had no instinct to "migrate" to Canada or the Arctic and over time their descendents became what is now known as "resident" geese and generally considered a "pest" -- especially when escaping hunters' bullets and taking up residence in urban parks. "I personally speculate that since originally bred and raised by humans, "resident" Canada geese are very different from their wild, migratory counterparts in that they are far more acclimated and comfortable around people -- almost like pets. Many Canada geese are very friendly and trusting towards humans -- even walking up and taking food out of childrens' hands. "In New York City and elsewhere, thousands of Canada geese are annually rounded up and slaughtered by USDA "Wildlife Services." Hundreds of thousands more are shot by hunters. "Currently, in NYC, we have one Canada goose in Central Park. (Presumably, her mate and family were wiped out this summer in a USDA cull.) "Canada geese mate for life and I can tell you a goose who has lost his/her mate is a very sad sight indeed. These birds mourn the loss of mates (or families) and it can be a very long time -- if ever -- that they pair up again. "You may laugh at the suggestion that these birds could eventually go the way of the Passenger Pigeon considering they are regarded as such a "pest" now and widely hunted and "culled." "But, consider we once had hundreds of millions of passenger pigeons whereas there are an estimated 3.8 million Canada geese in this country according to Dept of Interior. "I don't believe Canada geese (or any wildlife for that matter) should be regarded "useful" to humanity and the planet only as hunting targets. "It is sad that some children are being taught this attitude by parents. This is one of the primary reasons thousands of species are brought to extinction. "As far as the claim that hunting helps in father/son "bonding," I personally find this ludicrous. "There are hundreds of productive, non-lethal ways parents can "bond" with children. When my daughter was growing up, I spent thousands of hours with her photographing nature. She is a very successful and happily married woman now and she would be the first to tell you that her life was not "deprived" for lack of having a gun in her hand and shooting animals with a parent. "Anyway, I may be the only one to actually write you of the disgusting photo, but I doubt I am the only one turned off by it. "Hunting has actually fallen in popularity over the years despite Fish and Wildlife and other government agencies (and some "Outdoors" columns) doing all they can to promote and shove it down people's throats. "As we become more educated and informed about the delicate webs of life and how each species plays an important role in nature (including Canada geese), fewer of us enjoy the thought of blowing away animals for sadistic pleasure or so-called, "parent/child bonding." "Animals are far more enjoyable when alive. " View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"She harvested her buck at 20 yards with a perfectly placed arrow," her father said. Abbie Avery, 14, of Cazenovia, proudly poses with her first deer, a 6-point buck, taken with her bow on private land in Cazenovia. "We have known Abbie for many years and are very excited for her," said Allison George, of A.J.'s Archery in Cazenovia. "She is a great kid! We sold her her first bow last year and have been anxiously waiting for a picture like this! Here is the story (from her dad): "Abbie was hunting over a fall food plot of winter peas out of a round bale blind. She harvested her buck at 20 yards with a perfectly placed arrow. The buck traveled 80 yards, then expired." The father said a "European (skull) mount" will be made from the deer. He said the deer, which was a 1 1/2 year old, was taken on land where Quality Deer Management is practiced. "Any hunter who hunts with us, can harvest any sized buck for their first deer. It's to get experience," he said. "After that, we harvest mature deer, 3 1/2 years and older. Abbie will undoubtedly get a bigger one in years to come." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Please mention about the women. I would love to see more women there. We love the outdoors, too," she said.. A female reader responded this week to my column about last week's annual Sportsmen's Dinner at Driver's Village. She pointed out the event, which featured celebrity bowhunter Randy McPherson, was not an all-male event as I had reported. Patricia Urban wrote: "I read with interest your article in the paper about the Sportsman's Dinner. It was a great dinner and a great speaker. I go with my husband every year. In fact there were many other women there. One women even won one of the bows they gave away. "So I am writing just to gently remind you that it is an outreach for women also, even though the men do outnumber the women. So next year in your article please mention about the women. I would love to see more women there. We love the outdoors too." Patricia, you're right. There were women there and I failed to mention that. Good point about the women loving the outdoors. Thanks for writing and keep in touch. Thanks so much, Patricia Urban View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Each dressed out at about 110 pounds each according to the butcher," he said. Deer No. 1. Christopher Adessa, of Union Springs, harvested two does on the opening day of bowhunting season Tuesday. I had a great opening day. I took the day off," he said. The first one was shot in Scipio from 8 yards away at 7:25 a.m The second was taken on land in Owasco from about 18 yards away at 5 p.m. Deer No. 2. "Each dressed out at about 110 pounds each according to the butcher," he said. He concluded: "I'm a little sore, but my lifetime bow kills almost doubled in one day. From 3 to 5." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"This race has a tremendous history of allowing runners of all levels of experience to go as fast as their current level of fitness allows," Aja said. It's all about the course. That's race director David Oja explained this week when talking about Sunday morning's Syracuse Festival of Races. All races begin and end at Manley Field House on the Syracuse University campus. The schedule includes a 5K run for men, a 5K run for women, 3K fun run and a 3K community walk. The event is being held concurrently with the U.S. National Masters Championship, meaning that there will be national-level, 5K competition in age-group categories, starting at 40 years and up, he said. "This race has a tremendous history of allowing runners of all levels of experience to go as fast as their current level of fitness allows," Aja said. Why is that so? Aja said the relatively flat course has a marked path - actually 283, hand-painted dashes on the road - that show runners the shortest possible distance they have to run to complete a 5K. It all started in 2004, he said, when four of 20 fastest 5K runs in the country were recorded at the Syracuse Festival of Races. Looking at the results and watching the race, Oja said, it was noted that the runners who recorded those times could have run even faster if they had run the shortest possible distance on the course. "I made up my mind to create a way to remind the runners what the shortest way home in the race is, giving them the maximum benefit," he said. He also has tried to keep the field in the men's and women's 5K runs small, to eliminate the slow-downs that occur with big groups of runners at the start of the race. This year, the two runs will feature about 450 racers each, he said. Aja notes that word has gotten around in the racing world, as competitors are coming to the Syracuse Festival of Races from 23 states across the country and Canada. To sweeten the deal, the Masters competition will offer $10,000 in prize money, and the open competition will offer some cash and prizes as well. "Participants in this year's event will range in age from 3 to 87, and in ability from first-time road race participants to national champions and world record holders," Aja said. The action kicks off at 8:50 a.m. Sunday with the men's 5K. For more on the races, check out the event's website at festivalofraces.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> He got it on opening day. </p> <p></p> <p>Ryan O'Grady, of Westmoreland, shot this impressive 8-point buck opening day of the bowhunting season Tuesday in Madison County.</p> <p>"I shot him at 7 a.m.," he said., adding he used his Mathews z7 bow at 32 yards.</p> <p>O'Grady added that it weighed 200 pounds live weight and its rack scored (gross) 145.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Clare uses specially bred dogs that locate the birds as far as 200 to 300 yards away and then break up the flock by with a series of loud barks. The dogs then return to its master and go to sleep between his legs underneath a tarp. Peter Clare said friends and family members thought he was crazy when he opened up a hunting lodge specializing in turkey hunting in northern Tioga County back in 1987. Getting birds consistently during the spring is one thing. Fall hunting for turkey can be much more difficult. Today, Turkey Trot Acres Lodge in Candor, about 18 miles south of Ithaca, is still going strong. Clare said his fall hunts, often frustrating for many hunters, are more often than not successful. His secret? "We hunt with dogs. Appalachian turkey dogs," he said. A successful fall turkey hunt at Turkey Trot Acres. From bottom left, Peter Clare; Steve Hickoff, of Maine; upper left, Josh Grossenbacher and Brett Barry, both of Ohio.Photo courtesy of Peter Clare Hunting turkeys with dogs is legal in this state. Clare isn't the only one to used specially trained dogs to hunt fall turkey, but he's the most well-known, having been written up in a number of hunting magazines the past two decades. Before explaining how the dogs are used, Clare talked a bit about the behavior of turkeys during the course of the year. "During the spring, the turkeys are scattered. It's their mating season," he said. The gist of spring turkey hunting, Clare said, is for the hunter to set up in an area where the turkeys are known to frequent, and then calling the males (gobblers) to you by imitating the calls of a female (hen) bird. Only male birds can be shot during this season and the hunter's tactics are all about tapping into the male bird's sex drive and pride. During the rest of the year, the hens and young birds flock together for safety and feeding reasons, as do the older gobblers in separate groups or just keep to themselves. During the fall hunting season, where both gobblers and hens can be taken, the key is locating the flocks. However, the birds have unbelievably acute eyesight and hearing and easy can detect a hunter coming from a long distance. Enter the dogs. Clare uses specially bred dogs that locate the birds as far as 200 to 300 yards away and then break up the flock by with a series of loud barks. The birds scatter in every direction. The hunters go to the spot, the so-called "the "break point," where they heard the dog barking. Either they lean up against a tree out of our site, or set up a camouflauge blind. The birds, by nature, want to get the flock back together and eventually begin calling to each other. The hunters begin calling the birds back imitating the calls that the turkeys are making to each other. And the dogs? "At one point, they run and bark like maniacs. After the flock is scattered they come back, and lay down next to the hunter and are covered with a tarp and then go to sleep. They're trained to do that," Clare said. Clare has seven dogs, which he bought from a breeder in Lowry, Va. The originator of the Appalachian turkey dog breed that Clare uses was John Byrne, who died last year. His son, J.T., currently operates the business. "John Sr. spent his life breeding angus cattle and knew all about blood lines and how to cross breed," he said. "He just decided one day to make a turkey hunting dog." The dog he came up with was a cross of a plotthound (known for smelling capabilities, its ability to cover big distances and loud penetrating bark), an English setter (dogs with an instinct for hunting birds, often grouse or pheasants) and a pointer (another dog used to hunt birds). "What he did was create a dog that was half hound, half bird dog," Clare said. Terry Day, of Constantia, with his dog, Piper, following a successful turkey hunt last fall.Submitted photo Terry Day, of Constantia, hunts fall turkey with his dog, Piper, a two-year-old, female Appalachian turkey dog he bought from the Byrne kennel in Virginia. He said he had to sign a contract promising not to breed the dog. "She's a turkey hunter from the get-go. She wants nothing but turkeys. It's amazing," Day said. Veteran turkey hunter and guide Mike Joyner, of McGraw, said he knows of several local hunters who use dogs to hunt fall turkeys in Central New York. "The dogs that Clare uses are the best known," he said. "But any dog that's willing to chase and scatter the birds and bark, and then sit still when called back is valued." Joyner said he uses weimaraners, a male and a female. They don't range as far afield as Clare's dogs but they get the job done. "Some people put their dogs in a burlap or camo bag. My dogs are too big for that. I just put my leg of them and that calms them down," he said. Joyner said one essential characteristic of any good turkey dog is that it must bark loudly while breaking up the flock. "Otherwise, they'll be out of sight scattering the birds and you won't know if anything happened," he said. KNOW THE LAW: The fall turkey hunting in Central New York opened Tuesday and in most areas extends to Nov. 15. The season in the northern part of the state ends Oct. 18. A small game hunting license is required. Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset, and the season limit in most areas locally is two birds per season, either sex. Check the DEC hunting guide for further information. For more: Call the Turkey Trot Acres Hunting Lodge at 607-659-7849 or the lodge's website see turkeygtrotacres.com; check out the American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog Association website . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Montezuma Audubon Center is still registering youth ages 12-15 interested in participating in the 6th Annual Robert F. DeRoo Memorial Conservation Dinner and Youth Hunt on Oct. 11 and 12. The following is a news release: Recently, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls has closed until further notice as a result of the federal government shutdown. While access to refuge property and programs offered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have discontinued until further notice, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation lands and the Montezuma Audubon Center remain open to the public. The Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, listed below is an upcoming schedule of events that the center is hosting on and off site. Additionally, while the refuge will not be able to accommodate hunting during the shutdown, the Montezuma Audubon Center is still registering youth ages 12-15 interested in participating in the 6th Annual Robert F. DeRoo Memorial Conservation Dinner and Youth Hunt on Oct, 11 and 12. Registered youth hunters will have the opportunity to hunt waterfowl or pheasant on state land while learning about conservation. For more information about the Montezuma Audubon Center and its programs, please call 315-365-3588 or email [email protected]. NOTE: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS October 5: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Webelos Scout Forester Badge Program October 5: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Nature of Montezuma Lecture with award winning author and wildlife photographer Tim Gallagher- Imperial Dreams: Tracking the Imperial Woodpecker Through the Wild Sierra Madre October 11 & 12: 6th Annual Robert F. DeRoo Youth Conservation Dinner and Hunt (5pm Friday and Saturday morning) October 18: 9:00 am -12:00 pm- Montezuma Birding Van Tour October 19: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps volunteer habitat restoration event on Onondaga Lake October 19: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Happy Owl-ween! -Live Owl Program and Evening Hike The Montezuma Audubon Center is a state-owned facility operated through a cooperative agreement between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Audubon Society. The Montezuma Audubon Center is located at 2295 State Route 89 Savannah. For more, see the center's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The three-day event features more than 100 exhibitors including Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha. New to the show this year is the Ski-Doo BRP Knowledge Center that encourages outdoors enthusiasts to explore the world of snowmobiling. The Progressive Big East Powersports Show, touted as the largest indoor snowmobile show in the East, opens Friday at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse. The three-day event features more than 100 exhibitors including Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, Polaris and Yamaha. New to the show this year is the Ski-Doo BRP Knowledge Center that encourages outdoors enthusiasts to explore the world of snowmobiling. In addition, there will be a display by Phantom Snowmobiles, a special youth section and deals on clothing, gear, accessories and more. Tickets for this year's show are $8 for adults if purchased in advance, $10 for adults at the door, $4 for children between the ages of 6 and 12, and free for children ages 5 and under. Tickets for this year's show are $8 for adults if purchased in advance, $10 for adults at the door, $4 for children between the ages of 6 and 12, and free for children ages 5 and under. Show hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Oncenter is located at 800 South State St. For more, see the event's website.. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

To stress the importance of passing on our outdoor heritage to others, Bass Pro Shops sponsors this annual award and donates $300 to the scholarship fund of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association in the name of the recipient. The following is a news release: The New York State Outdoor Writers' Association (NYSOWA) announced on Sept. 16 at its annual conference, in Lake Placid, N.Y., that Ray Hrynyk, better known as "Spider Rybaak," is this year's recipient of the Pass It On Award. This award is sponsored jointly by NYSOWA and Bass Pro Shops. To stress the importance of passing on our outdoor heritage to others, Bass Pro Shops sponsors this annual award and donates $300 to the scholarship fund of NYSOWA in the name of the recipient. A committee solicits nominations and chooses the writer who is most deserving of this award. Both NYSOWA and Bass Pro Shops realize that passing on our outdoor heritage is vital if we are to keep alive the ethics of conservation and the enjoyment of natural resources and outdoor sports. This can be accomplished in many forms, including youth activities, education, publicity and mentoring. For more than 10 years, Spider Rybaak, of Canastota, has taught spin-fishing and fly-fishing classes to youths at Wellesley Island State Park on a monthly basis from spring through fall. For the past few years, Spider has helped with kids' fishing instruction at Neawantha Lake in Fulton, N.Y. He has also volunteered to assist with the youth fishing instruction program in St. Lawrence County. While attending sport shows he is often giving free lures and instructions on how to use them to youngsters who came up to his booth. Spider has volunteered, and given free of charge, fishing seminars and presentations at various sports shows for many years. He has volunteered his time as an instructor at various youth fishing clinics in Syracuse and elsewhere in New York state. Rybaak has written several books on fishing and his writing in many publications has passed along valuable information on where and how to enjoy our valuable resources, gain success with fishing techniques and show respect for the natural resources. Ryabaak also writes a blog, "Hunting and Fishing Oswego County, N.Y.," which appears on the Oswego County tourism website. For information on NYSOWA and its programs, visit the group's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It was taken on my buddy's land," he said. "His 9-year-old daughter, Gia, took the lead on the blood trail tracking the deer." Sean Burke, of Geddes, poses with a nice-sized, doe he shot with his bow on opening day of the bowhunting season for deer Tuesday. "I'm 6 foot, 5 inches for a size reference," he said. He arrowed the deer a short time before dark and recovered it after the sun set. "It was taken on my buddy's land," he said. "His 9-year-old daughter, Gia, took the lead on the blood trail tracking the deer." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

No word yet on the Skaneateles Lake shoreline rainbow bite. CNY FISHING REPORT ** Remember the new fishing license year started Oct.1. Make sure you have your 2013-2014 license before heading out. Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO There are still lots of fish left in the lake waiting to make their run into the triburaries. Salmon are hitting flashers and flies, flashers and cut-bait and j-plugs. Fish are being found anywhere from 180 feet of water down to 40 feet. Many boats are going out at night to fish in front of the tributaries. SALMON RIVER Two big runs this week of Chinook salmon - the biggest so far of the season, according to one bait shop source. The best is yet to come, he said. OSWEGO RIVER Lots of salmon in the river. Good baits are egg imitating flies 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. Visit the Oswego County Tourism website for more information. ONEIDA LAKE Yellow perch are being found in 10 to 20 feet of water with good spots being around Big Bay, Dunham and Frenchman's Islands. Minnows, worms and small jigs have been working. The walleye bite has been slow, but some walleye are still being taken in 25 to 30 feet of water on black & purple bucktail jigs tipped with night crawler and blade baits. A few walleye are starting to be caught by shore anglers casting stickbaits after dark, but overall it's still slow. CAYUGA LAKE Vertical jigging has been working for lake trout with fish being found in 65 to 110 feet of water. Trolling down 70 to 80 feet over 100 to 160 foot of water with spoons or flasher and flies is also producing some lake trout. Yellow perch are being caught in the north end on small minnows. SENECA LAKE Lake trout are being 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 fishing in the south end of the lake have been getting lake trout in 75 to 100 foot of water and some rainbow trout in 55 to 70 foot of water. Trolling with flasher and flies or stickbaits has been good. Pulling copper is also working for lake trout. Smallmouth bass are hitting crayfish or drop-shot rigs fished in 25 to 30 foot of water. Some yellow perch are being taken on minnows and night crawlers. OTISCO LAKE Largemouth bass are hitting 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. Also, try swimbaits and stickbaits around the edges for the tigers. No word on the nighttime shore walleye bite. SKANEATELES LAKE Smallmouth bass are being taken on tube jigs, stick worms (Senko style baits), topwaters and drop-shot rigs in 10 to 35 feet of water. Live bait (crayfish and night crawlers) is also working for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass in 15 to 25 feet of water. No word yet on the rainbow trout shoreline 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 has slowed, but fishing the 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 Anglers fishing near shore are catching catfish, bullheads and smallmouth bass. The best action lately seems to be in shallow water, less than 10 feet. For the catfish and bullheads try worms, and plastics or crankbaits for the bass. Some anglers are also catching 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> The fall foliage is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. </p> <p><br />What an absolutely beautiful week we're having. Took a day off Tuesday and traveled up to Otter Lake in the Adirondacks for a fishing outing. The leaves up there are gorgeous now.</p> <p>Meanwhile, here's what I've been working on this week.</p> <p>- Opening week of bowhunting season for deer.</p> <p>- How the federal impasse has shut down Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge until further notice.</p> <p>- How to hunt fall turkey using dogs.</p> <p>- Deer/motor vehicle accidents in Central New York</p> <p>- An update on the Reynolds Pheasant Farm down on the Cornell University campus</p> <p>- Upland bird hunting</p> <p>- Interesting personalities on the Salmon River fishing scene</p> <p>- Stocking and gill netting of sturgeon on Cayuga Lake</p> <p><strong>Other stuff:</strong></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.</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>- 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> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> He got it in Deruyter. </p> <p><br />Dan Jordan, of Cicero, poses with an 8-point buck he harvested with his bow on the opening day of the bowhunting in the Southern Zone.</p> <p>Jordan said he got buck at about 7:30 a.m. on private property in Deruyter. He said it dressed field dressed out at 172 pounds on a certified scale.</p> <p>Jordan said he plans to keep the venison from this deer. "If I get a second one, I'll probably donate it (to the Venison Donation Coalition),"</p> <p><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/09/cny_hunters_can_help_out_by_do.html#incart_river">Read more about how deer hunters can donate their venison or hides for a good causes.</a><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Include your full name and where you live, where you go the deer and any other specifics that other hunters might find interesting. Did you get a deer today on opening day of the bowhunting season in the Southern Zone? Send your pics to [email protected] As always, make sure the picture is tasteful. No gore or tongues hanging out of the deer's mouth. Include your full name and where you live, where you got the deer and any specifics that other hunters might find interesting. Also, include a daytime phone number if I have further questions. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Hunters can donate their meat to the Venison Donation Coalition program. Regardless of the cut of meat, the venison is ground up into hamburger and given to the Food Bank of Central New York for distribution to local food pantries. Aric Ryan, of Marathon, downed this 7-point buck in Marathon on the opening weekend of bow season in 2010. It weighed 190 pounds after being field dressed. Itâs antlers had a 21 ½ inch spread.Publish History: 10/31/2010,Writer: Submitted photo Tuesday morning kicks off the bowhunting season for big game (deer/bear) in the state's Southern Zone. Three groups are hoping that hunters will think of them when deciding what to do this season with their deer hides and venison that they don't want. DEER HIDES The Camillus Elks Club is once again collecting raw deer hides from hunters. The hides will be cleaned and salted by members of the club and then sold to a tannery. Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals for the disabled or sick veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse. Donated hides may be dropped off at the lodge at 6117 Newport Road, Camillus. "Since the hides deteriorate rapidly, do this as soon as possible," said Bob Maraio, a Camillus club member who is in charge of the effort. Deterioration is more rapid if a plastic bag without holes is used," he said. "We recommend a cardboard box. In any case, time is of the essence. Several hides are usually discarded each year as unacceptable by the tanner." For more, call 672-3106. The Affiliated Conservation Clubs of Madison County is also collecting deer hides this year. Steve Wratten, president of the group, said the county Board of Supervisors, which helps fund the Affilated Conservation Clubs of Madison County, is cutting back on its annual contribution. As a result, the county's clubs, which sponsors a number of programs (hunter safety, scholarships for students, scholarships for summer camp programs, etc.) has decided to collect deer hides to make up for the budget shortfall. Wratten said his group covers 15 clubs and each one has a representative in charge of collecting hides from his or her immediate area. To find out where to donate, call 824-2415. VENISON DONATION Many hunters savor the venison they get from harvesting a deer each year. Others give it away to family and friends. Hunters can also donate it to the Venison Donation Coalition program, which has a list of local processors that cooperate with the program. Regardless of the cut of meat, the venison is ground up into hamburger and given to the Food Bank of Central New York for distribution to local food pantries. Interesting in donating? Check out the coalition website at venisondonation.org. for a meat processor near you. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Sportsmen's Days continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hatchery, which is located off Route 321 in Elbridge. For more information 689-9367. Alyssa Militello smiled as she watched her 8-year-old son, Sam, and his friend, Sean, paddle a canoe together on the pond at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery during Sportsmen's Days this afternoon. "We're here every year," the Syracuse mom said. "You can't beat it. The price is right ($5 per car), there's gorgeous weather today and we're trying to experience everything." The two-day event is sponsored by Honeywell and hosted by the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and Onondaga County Parks, which oversees the operation of the hatchery. Those attending can sample a wide variety of outdoor activities, including fishing in the hatchery pond; hatchet throwing; fly fishing; canoeing; shooting a BB-gun, muzzleloader or a shotgun at targets, trying out a crossbow, along with meeting with representatives from numerous local outdoors groups and interests. Stephen Wowelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, said the event has been going on for more than three decades. Cookie Hillman, of Cicero, was watching her son, Andrew, 8, as he cast a worm and a bobber out into the hatchery pond hoping to catch a trout. "He's been regular fishing for three years. He's interested in fly fishing so we decided to come here and let him try it," he said. " He liked it. We'll see what happens when Christmas comes." Bill Lansley, county parks commissioner, said as the afternoon ended, "We had a fantastic day. There were a lot of families here today that enjoyed all aspects of outdoor sports activities in Central New York. We're ready to do it all again tomorrow." Sportsmen's Days continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hatchery, which is located off Route 321 in Elbridge. For more information 689-9367. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Randy McPherson, an outdoors TV sports celebrity, is the brother of Matt McPherson, who owns Matthews Bows, which touts itself as the world's largest archery manufacturer. </p> <div id="asset-13484771" 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/13484771-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="randy.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption"></span><span class="byline">David Figura | [email protected]</span></span></span> </div> <p>With the bowhunting season kicking off Wednesday in the Southern Zone, I went this week to the annual Sportsmen's Dinner Tuesday to hear a well-known, bowhunter speak.</p> <p>The guest speaker was Randy McPherson, of Minnesota, an outdoors TV sports celebrity whose brother, Matt, owns Mathews Bows, which touts itself as the world's largest archery manufacturer.</p> <p>The dinner, which has been held for the past seven years, is an evangelical outreach effort for men put on each year by the North Syracuse Baptist Church. It always features an impressive outdoors personality, a ton of free prizes given away in a raffle (this year's top items were a $500 gift card and a $1,000 Mathews bow) - and always ending with a strong Christian message.</p> <p>The turnout is always impressive. This year's dinner attracted more than 370 men and young boys.</p> <p>McPherson started off by pitching the Centershot program, an archery program for kids that's being promoted in a number churches across the country. He ended with a talk about life lessons learned from the outdoors while hunting.</p> <p>He talked about how in today's world, there's a growing need for individuals to have quiet time. Time to just sit and listen and become more aware of the outdoors and the world in general. Hunting provides a perfect opportunity for that, he said.</p> <p>Second, he mentioned how hunting is an opportunity for many "to spend extended periods of time with family and friends you love dearly."</p> <p>"It enables you to take time to know them," he said, whether it be your son or daughter, a sibling or a friend.</p> <p>And finally, he said, "It's a time when me and God have some real good talks."</p> <p>Some may disagree with McPherson's message. </p> <p>One thing's for certain. The peace of the woods is a powerful thing.</p> <p><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I've never done anything like that before," Jim Sollecito said, adding it resulted in several scary, white-knuckle moments."I made my peace with the Lord - twice." It was a trip that ended with a huge Arctic char being caught that appears to be a new world's record for fly fishing. But the excursion taken this summer by Jim Sollecito and Dennis Ouellette to the edge of the Labrador Sea in a desolate area of northeastern Canada was much more than that. "It was an expedition, an adventure. I've never done anything like that," Sollecito said, adding it resulted in several scary, white-knuckle moments. "I made my peace with the Lord - twice," the Baldwinsville resident said. The trip was all about making sure there was enough fuel and good flying weather to get to the next destination. Pilot Keith Richardson, seen fueling up on one of the wings, said he didn't want to be a great pilot, he wanted to be an old one. Dennis Ouellette is also pictured on the runway.Jim Sollecito photo It all began with Ouellette, who owns Ontario Orchards in Oswego County, fishing last summer for salmon at Big River in Labrador. At that fish camp, he met French Canadians Keith Richardson and his son, Patrick. After finding out the two had a float plane and a small helicopter, Ouellette made plans with the pair to head up further north into Labrador the following year, with an agreement that the gas costs would be split among all those going. "Dennis figured this was a place he wanted to explore. He was told he could bring one more guy but he had to be of an adventuresome spirit," Sollecito said. "They also decided to bring a dog to keep the bears away." Ouellette, 67, who lives in Sterling, had been on outdoors outings before with Sollecito, who owns Sollecito Landscaping Nursery in Onondaga Hill. The two have fished together in Alaska to the Baha in Mexico. Photo #1 Sollecito and Ouellette with a 6- pound Arctic char caught near the base camp. The float plane sat until the weather cleared five days into the trip.Submitted photo This most recent trip stretched from July 28 to Aug. 10. Because of pending bad weather, the two local anglers left two days early with six hours notice. After driving to Montreal, they took off in Keith Richardson's float plane, arriving at their destination on Tasiujak Lake 10 hours later. "There was no cook. We made our beds - literally, using hammers and nails and available wood," Sollecito, 59, said. The weather didn't cooperate. The first four days the group was fogged in. Sollecito and Ouellette took their fly rods and fished around the camp. "It was tremendous fishing," Sollecito said. "We were casting egg sucking leaches and muddler minnows. We were landing countless lake trout up to 12 pounds - and there were some we couldn't land that were probably pushing 30 pounds. We were also a ton of brook trout up to five pounds and Arctic char up to 8 pounds." There was one major inconvenience, Sollecito said. 'Both of our waders sprung leaks. We had wet legs the entire time we were there," he said, adding that fortunately the weather during the day stayed in the 40- to low 50- degree range, dropping down to the low 30s at night. The chopper would dropped the two off, usually on a piece of stone that was smaller than an average garage, for a day of fishing. Sollecito and Ouellette called the outings "bar hopping," because once they landed they would travel from sandbar to sandbar in the river, fishing as they went. Ouellette is pictured here next to the chopper.Jim Sollecito photo The fog lifted on the fifth day, and the two were helicoptered and dropped off alongside the first of severeal unnamed rivers, some 50 miles away. "We were left to fend for ourselves and told the helicopter would return between 5 and 7:30 p.m. to pick us up," Sollecito said. "We had bear spray and shared one rifle (in the case of a bear attack)." Dennis Ouellette fights an Arctic Char on his fly rod with 10-pound tippet. Sollecito said Ouellette hooked more fish, but that he landed larger ones.Jim Sollecito photo That day, the anglers caught numerous brook trout in the 1- to 3-pound range, keeping some to cook over a fire for lunch. Both anglers said the water was "Windex water," meaning it was unbelievably clear, blue -- and drinkable. "You'd look at it and think it was only three feet deep and it'd be 30. It was unbelievable," Ouellette said. The two saw a number of black bears, some more 600 pounds, near their base camp and while fishing, but there were no incidents. They also got close (within 100 feet) while riding in a helicopter to several much larger polar bears and their cubs. They were fishing at one point in the same area where a camper had been dragged out of this tent and recently mauled by a polar bear. The anglers got within 100 feet of huge polar bears in a helicopter. This bear was seen several miles downstream from where Sollecito caught his huge Arctic char, which appears to be a new world's record.Jim Sollecito photo "Everyone was there because of the fish," Sollecito said. "Beforehand, I assured my wife we wouldn't be within 150 miles (of the area where the camper was mauled). We ended up finding his camp site." On the final day, Sollecito, hooked a huge Arctic char on a No. 4 muddler minnow, fishing in an area where they had seen the polar bears just several miles away from the helicopter. "It was a giant fish and fortunately it stayed in the pool where I was fishing," he said, adding he took care not to get into the water in fear of spooking the fish and having it take off. "I beached it and conked it on the head with a rock," he said, adding he cut some nearby brush, putting some of it through the fish's mouth, put it the water and piled rocks on it as to not attract any nearby bears with the smell. Jim Sollecito with his likely IGFA world record Arctic char caught on his 8-weight fly rod with 12 pound test tippet. He piled rocks on it in the water to keep the polar bears from smelling it.Dennis Ouellette photo Three and half hour later, the helicopter finally returned. Back at the camp, the fish was weighed at 17 pounds, 8 ounces. Sollecito is a member of the International Game Fishing Association, which keeps track of salt and freshwater fishing records. He knew he had a record fish. "We took pictures and then filleted it," Sollecito said. This past week, Jack Vitek, a spokesman for the IGFA, confirmed that Sollecito's fish most likely will be a new world record in the fly fishing category for a 12-point tippet (leader). The current record in that category is 17 pounds caught by an Australian angler. "Everything looks good and is lining up nicely," he said. "He completed the application, had witnesses, had a photograph, sent us the tippet and we tested it. He also had the scale certified by the Syracuse Scale Co. and gave us proof of that. He should get approval in the next month or so." The trip's scariest moments, though, didn't involve a bear attack, getting lost or being left overnight in the wilderness. It was the float plane trip back home to Montreal. During the trip, the plane was low on gas and made several loops around a desolate mountain pass looking for a place to land while cruising at 100 feet above the tree tops. And once they hit the St. Lawrence River, the plane was zipping along at only 46 feet above the water to avoid the fog and bad weather. In both instances, Sollecito admits to being unnerved. The shaken Sollecito said he'll never forget Oullette's comment once they finally landed: "Well, that was a lot of fun." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

In addition to the open house celebration, the museum will also begin holding "A Night at the Museum" on the third Friday of every month. This event will include guest speakers giving presentations about the history of fishing and tackle. The following is a press release: PULASKI- The Salmon River International Sport Fishing Museum near Pulaski will celebrate its 10th year anniversary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5. There will be a special ceremony and a presentation at 1 p.m. about the past, current and future events of the museum. Guided tours and self-guided tours will be available as well as a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, food and door prizes. "We are very excited about celebrating this fun open house event which will hopefully drive more people into the museum," said Michael Riordan, president of the Salmon River Museum. "It's great we can honor everyone who took part in the development of this museum and show the community all our hard work and plans for the future." The special ceremony at 1 p.m. will celebrate the hundreds of people who made this museum possible. President Riordan is asking everyone and anyone who had an effort in seeing this museum through to help celebrate and be recognized at the ceremony. In addition to the open house celebration, the museum will also begin holding "A Night at the Museum" on the third Friday of every month. This event will include guest speakers giving presentations about the history of fishing and tackle. The events will be held from 7 to 8 p.m., with the museum opening up for tours at 6 p.m. This month, Fred Betts, the museum curator, will be presenting on 19th century tackle manufacturers of New York State. The museum's collection was originally displayed at the Gladding International Fishing Museum in South Otselic, NY. In 2003, the museum was relocated to Pulaski after the completion of the new building. For more information, call 374-2997. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it near Frenchman's Island. Submitted photo Joe Diflorio, Syracuse, holds up a nice, fat, 19-inch, smallmouth bass he caught this week on Oneida Lake. He was fishing in 12 feet of water and hooked it using a shad minnow near Frenchman's Island. Submissions for "Catch (Trophy) of the Week" and wildlife photos should be sent out [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog