HuntingNY-News

More than 500 shooters competed in the 6-day event, which ran from July 9-14.. The following is a press release: Two young men from Central New York won state titles at the 152nd Annual Empire State Trapshooting Championships that was held in Cicero. Over 500 shooters competed during the 6-day competition, which ran from July 9-14. On the left, is Matt Carr from the Bridgeport Rod & Gun Club, and on the right is Jimmy Kenyon from the DeWitt Fish & Game Club. Matt was the Junior winner in the Warm-up Handicap event with a field-high 100 straight. He also won the Junior title in Friday's handicap event, and went on to break 133 straight on his way to winning the Junior title in the NYS Singles Championship with a score of 199x200. Jimmy won the Sub-Junior Doubles title in the Class Championships, followed by the Sub-Junior title in the NYS Doubles Championship, then went on to win the NYS High All-Around Sub-Junior title. He also teamed-up with his dad to win the Parent/Junior title in the NYS Singles Championship. Matt's feat of breaking 100-straight targets in a handicap event is a very rare accomplishment in NYS. It has occurred at the State Shoot only a handful of times in the 150+ year history of the shoot. In an unusual twist, this year there were two instances of this feat. Not to be out-done by the kids, Senior-Veteran shooter John Wallace from the Pathfinder Fish & Game Club broke 100-straight to lead Friday's Handicap event. Justin Slater, of Phelps, distinguished himself with several championships at the event.Stephen D. Cannerelli [email protected] Other noteworthy championships by local shooters include: Sportsmen's Doubles Class Jr. - Justin Slater, of Phelps AA - Chris Landon, of Groton Sportsman's Handicap Class Lady II - Kathleen Hart, of Brewerton Sportsman's Singles Jr. - Justin Slater, of Phelps BeiKirch Handical 4th - Todd Way, of Manlius 18-21 yard- Joseph Macewicz, of North Syracuse 26-27 yard - Bradley Heath, of Cortland Jr. - Mathew Carr, of Cicero Ronald McDonald Class Singles Class AA- Chad Landon, of Groton A - Leland Smith, of E. Syracuse B - Jeff Bell, of Pompey Lady 1 - Catherine Barney, of Syracuse Jr. Gold - Justin Slater, of Phelps State Singles Championship ATA Jr. - Mathew Carr, of Cicero ATA Jr. Gold - Justin Slater, of Phelps ATA Vet - Gerry Ostrander, of Groton Class Doubles Class AA - Richard Kenyon, of E. Syracuse AAA - Bradley Heath, of Groton NYS VET - James Wright, of Brewerton Doubles Championship Class AAA - Bradley Heath, of Groton A - Robert BIckster, of Skaneateles Lady II - Kathleen Hart, of Brewerton Jr. Gold - Justin Slater, of Phelps State Handicap Championship Class/Place 9th - Eddie Cotton, of Syracuse Jr. 12th - Mathew Carr, of Syracuse. * A special thanks to Catherine Barney for helping me assemble the above results. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

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. 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 7-17-13.pdf View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The magazine wrote about Beaver Lake Nature Center and Chittenango Falls. I've been away for the past 1/2 weeks, camping with my family up in the Adirondacks. While catching up on emails, my regular mail and magazines, I read the August edition of New York State Conservationist and discovered that two of the locations in The Figura Challenge -- Chittenango Falls and the Beaver Lake Nature Center -- were profiled in the publication. Chittenango FallsChris Murray Concerning Chittenango Falls, an article by Chris Murray noted: "Today's visitors can enjoy a variety of activities here, including fishing, hiking and picnicking. The picturesque falls and creek below are a photographers dream." As for Beaver Lake Nature Center, the magazine noted that the center, located west of Baldwinsville, is among the prime locations across the state listed in the DEC's new book, "New York Wildlife Viewing Guide." The article noted, "The rich mix of forest, wetland and meadow and open water at the nature center in central New York attracts more than 200 species of birds, an nurtures more than 800 varieties of plants. The landscape is dominated by a 200-acre Beaver Lake, a large, water-filled kettle hole created by a massive weight of a thawing glacier from the last ice age." Check out my list. Do yourself and your family a favor. Mother Nature has been generous to this area and she does not disappoint. Send your comments and photos to [email protected] so I can include them in my weekly updates. Looking forward to hearing from you. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The tournament director said by mid-morning there was a south breeze on the lake, "and a little chop" He added, "We had a flurry of catches reported this morning." The Bass Pro Shops Northern Open started this morning with boaters taking off at 5:45 a.m. from the boat launch at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. This year's competition features pro and co-angler teams from across the country, in addition to a number of anglers from Central New York. A total of 14 Elite Series pros are entered. Tournament director Chris Bowes said a total of 162 boats are entered. "It was cloudy with a slight breeze at 5:45 a.m.," Bowes said. "At 9:45 a.m. it was spitting a little rain, not enough to put on a raincoat. At least not yet." Bowes said by mid-morning there was a south breeze on the lake, "and a little chop." "We had a flurry of catches reported this morning," he added. Today's weigh-in is set for 2 p.m. at Oneida Shores. The entire field will fish the first two days, with only the top 12 pro and co-anglers advancing to Saturday's final. The winning pro angler will get $6,400 plus a Skeeter boat and a Yamaha motor package, plus a trailer, worth more than $40,000. The winning co-angler will get a Nito boat, powered by a Mercury motor, along with a trailer. For more on the tournament, including a blog featuring photos and comments from participating anglers, see bassmaster.com. I'll provide an update later this afternoon following the weigh-in. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> After 16 weeks, the team from Pathfinder leads the Northern Division and the shooters from Pompey lead the Southern Division. </p> <p><strong>CENTRAL NEW YORK TRAP LEAGUE RESULTS</strong></p> <p>Results from Week 15 (July 23)</p> <p><strong>Northern Division</strong><br />Pathfinder (199) at Central Square (197)<br />Toad Harbor (197) at South Shore (196) <br />North Sportsman (bye)</p> <p><strong>Southern Division</strong><br />Bridgeport (196) at Pompey (198)<br />Camillus (197) at Skaneateles (197)<br />Dewitt (185) at Three Rivers (194)</p> <p><br /><strong>25's</strong><br /><strong>Bridgepor</strong>t 50's Lee Smith, 25's Sam Grosso, Rich Tassone, Kathy Hart</p> <p><strong>Camillus </strong> 150 Tim Corrente, 75 George Bouley, 25's Bob Milton,Bob Wiegand, Rich Prior, Bill Parfitt,Tim Wylde, Len Kallfelz</p> <p><strong>Central Square</strong> 75 Kurt Brown, 25's Todd Moot, R.W.Barr,Lenn Hass</p> <p><strong>Dewitt </strong> 25's Rick Cropper</p> <p><strong>North Sportsman</strong> 50 Gary Rizzo</p> <p><strong>Pathfinder</strong> Bye</p> <p><strong>Pompey</strong> 25's Ralph Baker, Wayne Wilcox, Cliff Haaf, Chuck Haaf,Mark Kovalewski 1st, Joe Wilcox,Mike Makallip 1st</p> <p><strong>Skaneateles</strong> 100 Justin Slater,75 Dave Bean,25's Rich Bobbett, John Stanley, Rod Roberts,Bob Parker,Bruce Card</p> <p><strong>South Shore</strong> 50 Ray Kubacki, 25's Harvey Stone, Dick Martin, Doug Adolf,,Alex Kubacki</p> <p><strong>Three Rivers</strong> 75 Doobee Freytag, 25's Bill Tambs, Joe Fredericks, Rick Liberty, Jared Heath, Ray Burget, Fran Lightenfield</p> <p><strong>Toad Harbor</strong> 75 Craig Chesbro, 50's Bob Green, Bob Howard, Joe Simko, 25's Ray Cole, John Horning, Bill Kent, Dave McCrea, Don Sadue, Don Church, Nick Ranalli, Pete Kostyk,Nelson Pratt, Erik Gibbs, Bob Tarcza 1st</p> <p><strong>Results from Week 16 (July 30)</strong><br /><strong><br />Northern Division</strong><br />Central Square (195 ) at Toad Harbor (200)<br />Pathfinder (bye)<br />South Shore (197) at North Sportsman (183)</p> <p><strong>Southern Division</strong><br />Pompey (199) at Camillus (200) <br />Three Rivers (199) at Bridgeport (196)<br />Skaneateles (199) at Dewitt (192)</p> <p><strong>25's</strong><br /><strong>Bridgeport</strong> 50's Lee Smith, 25's Sam Grosso, Rich Tassone, Kathy Hart</p> <p><strong>Camillus </strong> 150 Tim Corrente, 75 George Bouley, 25's Bob Milton,Bob Wiegand, Rich Prior, Bill Parfitt, Tim Wylde, Len Kallfelz</p> <p><strong>Central Square</strong> 75 Kurt Brown, 25's Todd Moot, R.W.Barr,Lenn Hass</p> <p><strong>Dewitt </strong> 25's Rick Cropper</p> <p><strong>North Sportsman</strong> 50 Gary Rizzo</p> <p><strong>Pathfinder </strong> Bye</p> <p><strong>Pompey </strong>25's Ralph Baker, Wayne Wilcox, Cliff Haaf, Chuck Haaf,Mark Kovalewski 1st, Joe Wilcox, Mike Makallip 1st</p> <p><strong>Skaneateles</strong> 100 Justin Slater,75 Dave Bean,25's Rich Bobbett, John Stanley, Rod Roberts,Bob Parker, Bruce Card</p> <p>South Shore 50 Ray Kubacki, 25's Harvey Stone, Dick Martin, Doug Adolf,,Alex Kubacki</p> <p><strong>Three Rivers </strong> 75 Doobee Freytag, 25's Bill Tambs, Joe Fredericks, Rick Liberty, Jared Heath, Ray Burget, Fran Lightenfield</p> <p><strong>Toad Harbor </strong>75 Craig Chesbro, 50's Bob Green, Bob Howard, Joe Simko, 25's Ray Cole, John Horning, Bill Kent, Dave McCrea, Don Sadue, Don Church, Nick Ranalli, Pete Kostyk,Nelson Pratt, Erik Gibbs, Bob Tarcza 1st</p> <p><strong>Results courtesy of Dick Masterpole.</strong><br /> <br />Dick Masterpole 963-8974 or 481-5326 cel</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The water on the Whitney Point Reservoir remains high. Be sure and check that the launches are useable before driving there. CNY FISHING REPORT LAKE ONTARIO trong winds over the weekend made fishing the lake difficult. When anglers can get out, the chinook salmon bite continues to improve though. Fish are being found 100-120 feet down over 200-300 feet of water. Good baits have been spoons, flashers and cut-bait, flashers and whole alewives, and flashers and flies. Green and white are continuing to be a productive colors. Anglers are getting baits down with variety of methods such as wire and Dipsey divers (about 250 to 300 feet back), copper (600 feet) and downriggers. Water fleas are becoming a nuisance so check lines often, try flea flicker line or a heavier pound test monofilament. Brown trout are being found in 40 to 50 feet, down 20 to 35 feet from the surface taking the same baits as the salmon. Lake trout are on the bottom in 120 to 130 feet of water and are taking fire plugs and peanuts with cowbells as well as spoons. SALMON RIVER Fishing is slow on the river, which is usual for this time of year. But, there are a few Atlantic salmon and Skamania strain steelhead being taken in the upper river. The lower river is yielding some smallmouth bass and rock bass. OSWEGO RIVER Walleye are hitting on stickbaits or night crawlers and smallmouth bass are biting crankbaits, minnows, crayfish and spinnerbaits. Catfish and sheephead (freshwater drum) are hitting on crayfish or night crawlers. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye fishing continues to be very good. Walleye are still being taken in both shallow and deep water, from 10 to 30 feet, but the most consistent action has been in the 20 to 30 foot zone. Try the area just west of Shackelton Shoals. Good baits have been black & purple bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawler, blade baits and perch colored stickbaits all working. Pickerel are being caught in good numbers on the lake. Bass fishing has been good, particularly in and around Big Bay. CAYUGA LAKE Weeds and water fleas continue to make trolling more difficult on the lake. Trolling down 60-90 feet over 80 to 120 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers, copper wire, or Dipsey divers is working for lake trout. Vertical jigging is also working for lake trout in 85 to 105 feet of water. Atlantic salmon are being taken on spoons fished 30-50 feet down over 60 to 120 feet of water. Lures in a variety of shades of green have been working well for the trout and salmon. Bass and panfish are being caught on the north end. SENECA LAKE Water fleas and weed mats continue to make trolling difficult. The early morning bite has been better for anglers trolling down 30 to 50 feet with wire and Dipsey and is producing some salmon and lake trout. Lake trout are also being taken 40 to 80 feet down over 80 to 110 feet of water on spoons and flasher and flies. Vertical jigging with plastics is also still working in 50 to 135 feet of water. OWASCO LAKE Water fleas continue to make trolling difficult on the lake. Anglers trolling down 45 to 60 feet with spoons or flasher and flies are getting some lake trout, along with an occasional rainbow trout. More bait is being marked in the mid-lake area then on the north end. OTISCO LAKE Some walleye continue to be taken by anglers trolling down 25 to 30 feet on crankbaits, stickbaits or worm harnesses. Look for bass near shore and along the weed edges. A variety of baits should work this time of year including spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics and topwater lures. SKANEATELES LAKE Smallmouth bass are also being taken on tube jigs, spinnerbaits and topwaters. If not catching fish though, move slightly deeper, and try drop-shot rigs or live bait such as minnows, night crawlers or crayfish. SANDY POND: A few walleye are still being caught on the pond, as are some bluegills and a few yellow perch. Largemouth bass are being caught more regularly. Try using plastic worms and spinnerbaits. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Bass continue to be caught in deeper water, around 25 to 30 feet. Best bait has been crayfish. Northern pike bite continues to be strong. Many successful anglers are using minnows, fishing in the weeds in 15 to 25 feet of water. SODUS BAY Panfish are being taken on small jigs, minnows and worms. Bass fishing continues to be good for anglers using bass jigs, plastics and topwaters. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR The lake level remains high. Be sure to check that the launches are usable before driving there. The walleye bite had been good for anglers fishing worm harnesses, jigs and crankbaits before the high water. White crappie and smallmouth bass fishing was also good before the reservoir rose. When conditions settle out, try fishing small minnows and jigs for the crappies and crankbaits for the bass. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There's two at Durkee Park, along with Casterline Pond, just up the road It's the kind of fishing where you can bring the kids, a lawn chair and just kick back and relax. That's why the three ponds at the northern end of the village of Homer-- two at Durkee Park , and the third, Casterline Pond, just up the road -- are so popular. For those without a boat, the area is definitely a Central New York shoreline fishing hot spot. "There's a lot of people who fish there, "said Jeff Lewis, village parks and recreation director, referring to the two ponds at Durkee Park. "Different kinds of fish of all sizes have pulled out of there. It's a catch-and-release situation," he said. "I've seen lots of 10-to 12-inch bass, huge catfish and some trout." When one drives into the park off Route 11, on the left is Briggs Pool, which at one time was the park's swimming area. It's full of panfish and some carp, Lewis said. There's a two concrete walkways connected to the sidewalk for anglers to get closer to the water, in addition to wooden fishing platform that extends out into the pond. There's also a sluice pipe that connects Briggs with the park's bigger pond. The bigger pond is actually a wide section of the west branch of the Tioughnioga River and contains a greater selection of fish. That area is rimmed with brushes and mowed grassy areas that make it convenient to set a lawn chair and fish. There's all sorts of fish in Casterline Pond.Stephen D. Cannerelli [email protected] Many rent out the park's pavilion for picnics, graduation parties and other get-togethers, Lewis said. It's not uncommon for fishing to be part of the activities. Some bring small car-top boats or kayaks to get out on the water. "We just don't allow any motors of any kind," Lewis said. Just north of Durkee Park, on the east side of Route 11, is Casterline Pond, in addition to bass and panfish, the state Department of Environmental Conservation stocks it with brown and rainbow trout each year. The 11-acre pond, with a maximum depth of 25 feet, features a parking lot that can accommodate up to 15 vehicles and a wooden fishing ramp that provides easy access to the waterway. To the left of the fishing ramp is a kiosk (an Eagle Scout project) that notes all the different kinds of fish in the pond. According to the DEC website: "The main game fish found in the pond are brown and rainbow trout, but largemouth bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish can also be caught. "Most anglers target trout in spring, shortly after they are stocked, or during the winter months through the ice," the website said. SUGGESTIONS NEEDED: I've profiled 12 CNY shoreline hot spots since beginning this series last summer. Have a suggestion for a location I should visit and write about? Send your ideas to me at [email protected] View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

In 2011, she finished second. Last year, she finished first. "I'm in good shape. Better than I was year," she said this week. Amanda Hatfield stands only 5 feet, 2 inches and weighs 115 pounds. Nevertheless, the 34-year Oneida resident casts a big shadow on the Central New York sprint triathlon scene. In 2011, she finished second in the Athleta Iron Girl Syracuse triathlon. Last year, she finished first. Sunday, she's competing again to defend her title at the event, which is being held again at Oneida Shores Park on Oneida Lake in Brewerton. Hatfield is married, the mother of a 5-year-old daughter and a reading teacher. She said she's feeling friendly pressure from friends and acquaintances who keep asking her if she's going to win again. "I'm in good shape. Better than I was year," she said. "I put a lot of miles in on the bike and in the water swimming. I'm going to race hard, enjoy the day and see where that gets me." A sprint triathlon consisting of a 600-meter swim, a 30K bike ride and a 5K run. Sunday's race will start and finish at Oneida Shores. More than 1,800 women are entered. Hatfield's splits last year were 11:25 (the swim), 49:40 (the bike) and 20:13 (the run). Her total time was 1:24:19. Hatfield at her home with Iron Girl medals from 2010, 2011, and 2012. Dave Lassman |[email protected] On her Twitter profile, Hatfield notes she's "a wife, mother, triathlete, runner, teacher, friend, sister, daughter, nutrition junkie, makeup hoarder, sneaker collector and serious napper." Q: The things you listed on the Twitter profile, does that pretty much sum up your priorities in life? A: Yes. Q: How'd you get into the triathlon scene? Did you run in high school or college? A: No, I come from a non-athletic background. Nothing in high school or college. I started running recreationally in 2006, and after that it turned into a competitive thing. After I had my daughter in 2007, I wanted to do a marathon and qualify for Boston. I ran two marathons and qualified both years but never ran Boston because of injuries. When I couldn't run, I decided to cross train by swimming and biking. I did my first triathlon in 2010 and finished 8th, first in my age group. After that, my husband, who's also a triathlete, connected me with Matt Migonis, a certified U.S. team, Level 1 triathlon coach. I've been with him ever since. Q: On the average, how many hours do you train each day? A: I average 3 to 3 ½ hours a day, six days a week. I take off whatever day works for my family. Q: You say you're a nutrition junkie. Talk about your diet. A: We eat very healthy. We stick to gluten- free. We eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and white meat (chicken, fish). Q: Your husband, Joe, is also a triathlete. How do you two balance your work and family with all the training involved? A: I make it a priority to get my workout done. My husband does as well. We both know how important it is to each other. Q: What you say to those women out there who could never see themselves doing a triathlon? A: I'm doing it because this is what I want to do. I know it's an extreme amount of hours. For those women who are mothers, it's healthy to have something like this. The triathlete moms that I know are healthier, more focused and more balanced because they have this outlet. It's their own hobby. It's not their husband's or their child's - it's theirs. Q: OK, talk about the part of your Twitter profile that notes you're a "makeup hoarder, sneaker collector and serious napper." A: As for makeup, I have an addiction about buying and wearing it. I love it. It's girlie. As for sneakers, once I buy a pair, I always seem to see another pair that I have to have. There's so many cool-colored sneakers out there. As for being a serious napper, after my long, hard workouts, all I want to do is nap. IF YOU GO Sunday's event kicks off at 7 a.m. at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. The race will also finish there. For more, see the race website at irongirl.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Follow Outdoors writer David Figura's daily activities and thoughts about the outdoors on Facebook. Go to PS Outdoors and click on "like." Pete Gluszek, of New Jersey, won the Northern Open event last year when it was held on Cayuga Lake. He's returning this year to defend his title.Lauren Long Just got back from a week's vacation of camping in the Adirondacks and the summer outdoors scene is in full swing. Things I'm writing about this week include: - The Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on Oneida Lake, which kicks off Thursday and concludes Saturday with an awards ceremony on the parking lot at Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall. More than a dozen top bass fishing pros in the national are fishing this event. Good stuff. - Another CNY Shoreline Fishing Hot Spot (the three small ponds on the northern edge of the village of Homer. - A wrapup of the recent NYS Trapshooting Championship held up in Cicero earlier this month. - Dog retriever trials being held up in Baldwinsville this Saturday. - A rabid bobcat that bit a guy, his dog...and then the guy shot and killed it. Interesting stuff. - A Q&A interview with winner of last year's Altheta Iron Girl Syracuse Triathlon winner...who's looking for repeat this Sunday. - How membership at local rod and gun clubs has increased with the advent of the SAFE ACT. Other stuff I'm working on: - Panfish lesson: How do tell a sunny, from a bluegill, from a pumpkinseed? - High-quality,high-comfort camping for those who don't like to rough it. - The CNY triathlon culture. Triathlons, and the people who do them, are a big thing and more and more people are getting into them. - An update on the Cornell Ornithology lab and its most recent compilation of recordings of more than 4,000 bird calls from across the world. - Which fishing rod do you use for bass fishing? The choices today are numerous and ever-growing. - The Cornell Vet School emergency room, and all the strange cases of domestic and wild animals that it deals with on a daily basis. THE FIGURA CHALLENGE I laid out the "The Figura Challenge" over the Memorial Day weekend -- challenging readers to to check out 15 Central New York outdoors destinations during the summer. Several readers have already taken me up on it and I'm getting comments and pictures. It's not too late to get started! Each Thursday on this blog through the summer, I'll give an update on reactions, stories and photos submitted by readers about their travels to these destinations. Send your impressions and photos of the places you visit on the list to [email protected], ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.. FIGURA ON FACEBOOK: For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. - View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The field includes California Ish Monroe, who won the event on Oneida Lake in 2011. The event begins Thursday and ends Saturday, with the final weigh-in taking place in the parking lot in front of the Bass Pro Shops store at the Finger Lakes Mall. The three-day, Bass Pro Shops Northern Open kicks off Thursday on Oneida Lake. This year's event features 14 Bassmaster Elite Series pros - including Californian Ish Monroe, who won the event the last time it was here in 2011. Pete Gluszek won the event last year when it was held on Cayuga Lake.Lauren Long Last year's Northern Open, which was held on Cayuga Lake, was won by Pete Gluszek, of New Jersey. Gluszek is returning this year to defend his title. The weigh-ins on Thursday and Friday are set for 2 p.m. at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. The final weigh-in on Saturday will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the parking lot in front of the Bass Pro Shops store at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. Monroe is looking forward to fishing Oneida Lake but is hoping for a certain type of weather pattern, according a story on Bassmaster.com. "Wind is one of the big factors, because the lake is a big open bowl," he said. "It's tough to navigate because of the many unmarked rock piles that exist offshore. He added, "I would like to see a little rain and overcast conditions. In Bassmaster Elite tournaments and Opens on this lake, only one limit has weighed over 20 pounds and one right at 20, and both of those were in overcast conditions." Other Bassmaster Elite Series anglers competing in this year's Open will include Kurt Dove, Boyd Buckett, Kevin Hawk, James Niggemeyer, Randy Howell, Timmy Horton, Mike Iaconelli, Jared Miller, Brandon Palaniuk, Chip Porce, Casey Scanlon, Fletcher Shryock and Chris Zaldain. A total of 165 boats are entered, consisting of a pro and a co-angler. The entire field will fish the first two days, with only the top 12 pro and co-anglers advancing to Day 3. The winning pro angler will get $6,400 plus a Skeeter boat and a Yamaha motor package, plus a trailer, worth more than $40,000. The winning co-angler will get a Nito boat, powered by a Mercury motor, along with a trailer. For more on the tournament, see bassmaster.com. Following the tournament, Elite Series pro Bill Lowen will be at the Bass Pro Shops store at 1 p.m. Sunday to give a seminar on fall fishing patterns. An Elite Series Bassmaster event follows this week's Northern Open at Waddington on the St. Lawrence River. That event is scheduled for Aug 8-11. The winner of that competition will earn $100,000. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

During the month of August, survey participants are asked to record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. The following is a DEC press release: Since 1996, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival. This index allows the DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential. "Citizen science efforts such as these provide our wildlife managers with invaluable data and give people the opportunity to partner with DEC to help monitor state wildlife resources," DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. During the month of August, survey participants are asked to record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. Individuals interested in participating can download a Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey form from the DEC website. Detailed instructions can be found with the data sheet. Survey cards can also be obtained by contacting your regional DEC office, by calling (518) 402-8886, or by e-mailing [email protected] (please type "Turkey Survey" in the subject line). View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The team is scheduled to be on Skaneateles Lake on Tuesday, and on Otisco Lake on Wednesday. A community workshop hosted by the team is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Skaneateles County Club. A closeupof hydrilla, an aquatic invasive plant species.Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org The following is a press release: A five-member "surveillance team" from the Nature Conservancy will be visiting Skaneateles and Otisco lakes and checking the waterways out for invasive species as part of its summer-long tour of waterways in Western and Central New York. The team is scheduled to be on Skaneateles Lake on Tuesday, and on Otisco Lake on Wednesday. A community workshop hosted by the team is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Skaneateles County Club. To attend, email [email protected]. For more information, see the Nature Conservancy website. This aquatic invasives surveillance team is comprised of ecology, biology and environmental studies specialists with an array of field work and invasive species management experience. The team will canoe, snorkel and conduct rake tosses in water bodies including Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Ohio River, the Finger Lakes and the Erie Canal in search of hydrilla and other interlopers. Hydrilla was found during the summer of 2011 in the Cayuga Lake Inlet in Ithaca and in 2012 in the Erie Canal in Tonawanda, N.Y. Fragments of the highly invasive plant are easily transported by boats and can also be dispersed by waterfowl and water currents. Once new populations are established, hydrilla may grow up to a foot a day. A multi-agency task force was formed to stop its spread. This season's field team is charged with hunting down hydrilla and other intruders as well as training community members to find the plants before they get established or transported to other waters. The effort is part of a large-scale surveillance effort The Nature Conservancy is coordinating throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio to determine where emerging aquatic invasive species exist. The team will survey 400 water access points for aquatic invaders while improving regional and interstate cooperation across the various organizations working on this threat. "Getting into the water and sampling as many places as possible will give us a better understanding of where aquatic invasive species are distributed," said Gregory Sargis, The Nature Conservancy's director of ecological management in Central and Western New York. "It also gives us an opportunity to connect the dots between the various local agencies and organizations working on this issue, which will help us all have greater impact." The Nature Conservancy is also exploring genetic testing of hydrilla to figure out where it came from and help close that pathway. "It's like crime scene forensics for plants," Sargis said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The plan is designed to promote environmental sustainability and economic revitalization in New York's Great Lakes region. Public comment will be accepted until Sept. 1. A local informational meeting on the plan is set for Aug. 22 on the SUNY Oswego campus. The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a draft of New York's Great Lakes Basin: Action Agenda 2013, a five-year action plan to guide restoration, conservation, and sustainable development activities in New York's Great Lakes region. Stakeholder input on the draft agenda will be accepted until Sept. 1. See the plan. A local informational meeting on the plan is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 in Campus Center Room 132 on the SUNY Oswego campus. Expert presenters from NYSDEC, the U.S. Geological Survey, the NY Natural Heritage Program, key universities, and county and local watershed organizations will offer presentations on water quality in Lake Ontario, the quality of Lake Ontario beaches, the lake's food web, restoration of native fish species, research on toxic contaminants in fish, and monitoring and restoration of the lake's coastal wetlands. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. A meeting is also scheduled in Rochester. See more on the meetings. "The Great Lakes Action Agenda is New York State's only fully-integrated strategic plan for its portion of the Great Lakes basin," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "The plan is uniquely integrated with bi-national, federal, and state priorities to ensure that New York's Great Lakes stakeholders are regionally competitive for federal funding and other opportunities to advance sustainable development and environmental restoration in our Great Lakes region." The Great Lakes Action Agenda was drafted in collaboration with stakeholder organizations throughout the basin, with the intention of creating an integrated planning tool to assist stakeholders in identifying, funding, and tracking goal-oriented projects in New York's Great Lakes basin. The Agenda will serve as a 'one-stop-shop' planning resource for stakeholder organizations working to improve the state's Great Lakes region. When finalized, the Great Lakes Action Agenda will enhance New York's strategic approach to effectively address the highest priority actions, assist stakeholders in leveraging financial resources and human capital, and create opportunities for basinwide communication, coordination, and partnership. The Great Lakes Action Agenda is strategically aligned with the federal "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan," which has brought more than $50 million to New York's Great Lakes region since 2010. Recommendations set forth by New York's Oceans and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation initiative, Regional Economic Development Councils, and the NYS 2100 Commission Report are also integrated into the agenda. It is a five-year plan and will be updated on a regular basis to ensure that the state's evolving priorities are included. The Action Agenda uses an ecosystem-based management approach to address environmental challenges in a holistic way that considers how people depend on and are integral parts of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Great Lakes Action Agenda features innovative solutions to the most critical challenges facing New York's Great Lakes region, including contamination cleanup, water quality and conservation, restoration of fish and wildlife, waterfront revitalization and smart growth, climate change adaptation and resilience, and recreation and tourism development. The Great Lakes Action Agenda is available on DEC's website. Public comments on the draft Great Lakes Action Agenda will be accepted until September 1, and may be submitted to Great Lakes email box at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The fundraiser, the "STIHL Tour des Trees," is celebrating the re-emergence of the American chestnut and promoting energy efficiency. The cyclists, whose ranks include tree care professionals from four countries, stopped at the SUNY ESF campus. More than 100 cyclists,who are participating in the STIHL Tour des Trees, North America's largest fundraiser for tree research, are traveling today through Syracuse. Theystopped this morning at the SUNY ESF campus. The cyclists are participating in a week-long, 585-mile cycling adventure to increase awareness of the need for tree research and raise funds for the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund). The trip started July 28 in Niagara Falls. The cyclists are traveling through Upstate New York and into Canada, ending Aug. 3 in Toronto. Cyclists, whose ranks include tree care professionals from four countries, will make a stop at the campus of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) for a presentation by Professor William A. Powell, director of the Council on Biotechnology in Forestry, and researchers from SUNY-ESF, on the University's American chestnut research program. Powell's research team, cyclists, and National Grid will also dedicate a transgenic American chestnut tree developed by the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Center planted on the college grounds of SUNY-ESF. SUNY-ESF's American Chestnut Research and Restoration Center conducts basic and applied research dedicated to the development of a blight-resistant American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) with the goal of reintroducing the majestic American chestnut into forest ecosystems of New York and the eastern United States. National Grid supports arboricultural research as a sponsor of the STIHL Tour des Trees and the TREE Fund's Utility Arborist Research Fund. As part of the company's commitment to environmental sustainability and energy-efficiency, National Grid will present a $250,000 check to SUNY-ESF for energy-efficiency measures implemented throughout the campus. This morning's tree dedication is taking place at the Gateway Center on the SUNY ESF campus. For more information or to donate to the "STIHL Tour des Trees." WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, July 30 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. American Chestnut tree dedication at Gateway Center, SUNY-ESF Gateway Center, SUNY-ESF 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 WHO: Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., Ph.D. president, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Melanie Littlejohn, regional executive, National Grid Central New York division William Powell, Ph.D., Director of the Council on Biotechnology in Forestry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Randy Miller, Chairman-Elect of the TREE Fund Board of Trustees and a cyclist in the STIHL Tour des Trees WHY: SUNY-ESF's American Chestnut Research and Restoration Center conducts basic and applied research dedicated to the development of a blight-resistant American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) with the goal of reintroducing the majestic American chestnut into forest ecosystems of New York and the eastern United States. Along with National Grid's longtime sponsorship of the STIHL Tour des Trees, also this year a National Grid arborist is participating in the Tour. The company's deep commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction is celebrated through SUNY-ESF's energy-efficiency measures implemented throughout the campus. Approximately 100 cyclists from around the world committed this year to fundraise for the TREE Fund in the STIHL Tour des Trees on a weeklong, 585-mile cycling adventure. With professional backgrounds including accounting, hairstyling, ministry, and arboriculture and a shared passion for trees and the environment, the Tour's cyclists have created North America's largest fundraiser for tree research. For more information visit stihltourdestrees.org or contact Kate Lewis at [email protected] or 757.232.2526. Sponsors of the STIHL Tour des Trees include STIHL Inc.; TREE Fund Crown Sponsor Bartlett Tree Experts; TREE Fund Partners Arborjet; Asplundh Tree Expert Co.; International Society of Arboriculture; KASK Helmets; Tree Care Industry Association; The Davey Tree Expert Company; Tree Services Magazine; Arbor Age; Lewis Tree Service; National Grid; Arizona Public Service; PacifiCorp; Unitil; Arborwell; New York State Arborists; Ontario Chapter ISA, Trees, Inc.; SavATree; Utility Arborist Association; West Coast Arborists Inc.; Anderson's Tree Care; Eco-Bond; Ford Motor Company; Forestry Equipment of Virginia; Gamma Tree Experts LLC; Lakefront Utilities/GRCA; Morrisville State College; Tamarack Tree Care; Vermeer; Wright Tree Service, Inc.; and Workshop Creative Group. About the TREE Fund: The TREE Fund's mission is to support sustainable communities and environmental stewardship by funding research, scholarships and education programs essential to the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry. The TREE Fund has supported research that has led to important developments in: • Understanding air pollution reduction and carbon sequestration by trees • Determining the costs and benefits of urban trees • Improving conditions for tree growth in difficult sites • Strategies to manage diseases and pests that affect urban trees For more informationor, visit www.treefund.org. About STIHL Inc. STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America,* as well as the number one selling brand of chain saws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast - not mass merchants. Located in Virginia Beach, Va., STIHL Inc., the headquarters for U.S. operations for the worldwide STIHL Group, exports to over 90 countries around the world; and the majority of STIHL products sold in America are also built in America.* STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445), visit stihlusa.com or text your zip code to 78445. *A majority of STIHL products are built in the United States from domestic and foreign parts and components. "Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2012 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers. STIHL is pleased to support the work of Independent We Stand, the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors. For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment. National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'. In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com. Follow us on Twitter, Watch us on You Tube, Friend us on Facebook, Find our photos on Flickr. About the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the only college in the United States devoted solely to the study of the environment. Since it was established in 1911, the college has developed innovative programs in a broad range of academic areas related to biology, chemistry, engineering, management, design and planning. The college focuses on educating problem solvers who will help develop the science and technology for a sustainable future. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It's amazing what you can see along the refuge's 3.5 mile drive. Staff Photographer Stephen Cannerelli drove through the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge today and shot these photos. Check them out. It's amazing what you can see along the refuge's 3.5-mile-long drive. . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon starts at 7 a.m. Sunday morning at Oneida Shores Park on Oneida Lake. This weekend's Central New York running scene features four, 5k runs, the Athleta Iron Girl Syracuse Triathlon at Oneida Shores Park on Oneida Lake and a duathlon at Highland Forest. Saturday's races 1). St. Mary's School 85th Anniversary Celebration 5K run. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. at 61 N. Main St., Cortland. The race will follow the same course as the spring "Run for the Stars." Cost is $15, which includes a pancake breakfast. 2). Manlius Mile and Bryan's "Grizzly" 5K. Races begin at Mill Run Park, Manlius. Open mile starts at 9 a.m. ; youth mile at 9:30 a.m. and 5K at 10. For more, see manliusmile.com. 3). 5K Race for Hunger, starts at 9 a.m. at Seneca Meadow Wetlands Preserve, Route 318 Seneca Falls. For more, see senecameadows.com. 4). 5K Benefit Run and Walk for Camp Good Days. Registration begins at 8 a.m. , race starts at 9 a.m at St. John's Church, 6 South Park Street, Clyde. A barbecue will follow the run. For more, see 5Kcampgooddaysclyde.webs.com. Sunday's races 1). Athleta Iron Girl Syracuse Triathlon. Begins at 7 a.m. at Oneida Shores Park, Brewerton. This is a spring triathlon, featuring a 600-meter swim, a 30 K bike ride and 5K run. For more, see irongirl.com. 2). Du the Dirt. Begins at 9 a.m. at Highland Forest, Fabius. Off-road style, duathlon, featuring a 5K run, along with two, 4.70 mile loops on a bike. For more information, call 458-5260. Last weekend's events 1). Otisco Lake Preservation Association Watershed Shuffle 4-mile run/2-mile walk. Held Saturday in Marietta. For results of the 4-mile run, see fleetfeetsyracuse.com. 2). Harborfest 5 and 10K runs. Held Saturday in Oswego as part of the Harborfest. For results, see fleetfeetsyracuse.com. 3). Ironman Lake Placid. Held Sunday at Lake Placid. This event featured a 2.4 mile run, a 112-mile bike and 26.2 mile run. For results, see ironman.com. 4). Fay-Man Race of Champions & Muddy Hornet Challenge. Held Sunday at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. Featured a kids mudpuppy challenge, a 5K run and the Muddy Hornet Challenge (about 3 miles). For results of the 5K run, see fleetfeetsyracuse.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> She was actually bass fishing at the time. </p> <p></p> <p>Rachel Lagoe, 13, of Oswego, caught this this 9-pound, 10-ounce brown trout while bass fishing recently - 15 feet of water on Lake Ontario, west of Oswego. </p> <p>She was on her uncle's boat at the time, trolling with a ThunderStick lure.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the adoption of new regulations governing the sport of falconry. The adopted regulations are in response to changes to the federal regulations governing the sport of falconry published by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, in April 2012,... The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the adoption of new regulations governing the sport of falconry. The adopted regulations are in response to changes to the federal regulations governing the sport of falconry published by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, in April 2012, the falconry license term and fee were changed in the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, requiring changes to the state regulations. In accordance with the new state legislation, the license term and license fee for falconry licenses are now $40 for a five-year license. Previously, falconry licenses were $20 for a two-year license. The falconry license authorizes a New York State resident to participate in the sport of falconry, which includes hunting small game with a raptor such as a falcon, hawk or owl. The license allows a person to obtain, buy, sell, barter, possess and train raptors for falconry purposes. DEC worked with the New York State Falconry Advisory Board to review and incorporate the changes made to the federal regulations. The adopted regulations provide regulatory relief for falconers and increase the number of raptors that can be possessed by General and Master Falconers. The new regulations authorize additional activities under the authority of a falconry license including: conducting conservation education programs; conducting limited propagation; and assisting wildlife rehabilitators with the assessment and conditioning of raptors prior to release. Additional information about falconry and New York's Falconry regulations can be found on the DEC website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He was fishing with his dad at the time. Davis Reeher, 15, of Manlius, holds up a nice smallmouth bass he caught. His stepmother, Kathy Sowards, wrote: "The fish measured 17.5 inches and was caught on a robo worm. It was a pretty good day--a bit rainy, but he and his dad caught nine smallmouth bass between 15 and 18 inches." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I had the unique opportunity of have one land right in front of my kayak and later to have two loons take off in good light. The belly landing of this 9-13 pound bird was a sight to see." Greg Craybas, of Marcellus, a dentist with the passion for shooting photos of wildlife, sent in this spectacular picture of a loon and wrote the following: "I am back from my family vacation in Old Forge NY. I managed to get out several times on my kayak equipped with a trolling motor. It allowed me to get very close to the loons with out stressing the birds. "I had the unique opportunity of have one land right in front of my kayak and later to have two loons take off in good light. The belly landing of this 9-13 pound bird was a sight to see." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"My son Patrick caught a 36-inch, 21 lbs. king salmon. It took him about 15 minutes to reel in, as the line was out about 500 feet." Kevin Quinn, of Onondaga Hill, sent in the above photo and wrote the following: "David, I wanted to share a photo of my son and me earlier this week while we were on the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. We were fishing on Lake Michigan, about 15 miles out from Glen Arbor, MI, off the Manitou Islands. "My son Patrick caught a 36 inch, 21 lbs. king salmon. It took him about 15 minutes to reel in, as the line was out about 500 feet. "Patrick's was the biggest catch of the nine fish caught among the three boat charter team we were with. My catch was a smaller king salmon, coming in a 31 inches, 16 lbs. " We had never been to the area before, it was beautiful, reminding us very much of the Adirondacks." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

More than 500 shooters competed in the 6-day event, which ran from July 9-14.. The following is a press release: Two young men from Central New York won state titles at the 152nd Annual Empire State Trapshooting Championships that was held in Cicero. Over 500 shooters competed during the 6-day competition, which ran from July 9-14. On the left, is Matt Carr from the Bridgeport Rod & Gun Club, and on the right is Jimmy Kenyon from the DeWitt Fish & Game Club. Matt was the Junior winner in the Warm-up Handicap event with a field-high 100 straight. He also won the Junior title in Friday's handicap event, and went on to break 133 straight on his way to winning the Junior title in the NYS Singles Championship with a score of 199x200. Jimmy won the Sub-Junior Doubles title in the Class Championships, followed by the Sub-Junior title in the NYS Doubles Championship, then went on to win the NYS High All-Around Sub-Junior title. He also teamed-up with his dad to win the Parent/Junior title in the NYS Singles Championship. Matt's feat of breaking 100-straight targets in a handicap event is a very rare accomplishment in NYS. It has occurred at the State Shoot only a handful of times in the 150+ year history of the shoot. In an unusual twist, this year there were two instances of this feat. Not to be out-done by the kids, Senior-Veteran shooter John Wallace from the Pathfinder Fish & Game Club broke 100-straight to lead Friday's Handicap event. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Women in Nature program expands with more diverse courses to expose women and girls to outdoor recreation. The Women in Nature program in Central York keeps getting bigger. Each spring for the past seven years, the day-long, Women In Nature Outdoor Skills Workshop has been an eye-opening success. The workshop, limited to 100 participants, usually fills up several weeks after the announcement is made for registrations. There's always a long waiting list. The event, hosted by the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, is offered at no charge at rod and gun clubs throughout the area. Participants have their pick from a diverse list of as many as 18 different outdoor activities. This year's event was held April 27 at the Otisco Rod and Gun Club. Julie FishmanCourtesy photo Organizers of the program are hoping the annual success of the spring workshop will translate to similar enthusiasm and attendance by women in a new, and expanded series of individual outdoors seminars. Seminars have been scheduled recently for such activities as trolling techniques for fish on Lake Ontario, fly fishing, skeet shooting and turkey hunting.Julie Fishman, of Pompey, the administrator and class coordinator of WIN, has been dedicated to the program since its creation. Here are excerpts of what she had to say about her love of the outdoors and the new sessions for women being offered. Q: What inspired your obvious love for the outdoors? A: Oh boy, probably where I grew up, going through the woods on my own, and eventually going to college at SUNY ESF Q: What's your favorite outdoors activity? A: Probably anything with my children -- hiking and camping and teaching my children about natural history. Oh, we go fishing too; fishing should go before hiking and camping. Q: How did you get involved in Women in Nature? A: I was, and am, a hunter safety instructor. Some sportsman clubs were putting together a smaller woman's workshop and I was asked to help out with that. A few years later they wanted to expand that, and it became the Women In Nature program. Q: Why do you feel it is important to expose women, especially young girls, to the outdoors? A: When learning to do things outdoors, there's an extra sense of self-empowerment to it. Many of these activities have been typically male- dominated. When you teach women they can do anything, especially outdoor activities, they feel good about themselves. Q: Why do you feel the diversity of activities in the Women In Nature program is important? A: A lot of outdoor activities are really intertwined. If you are learning about hunting, you have an opportunity to observe nature. So many people who are hunters are also birders. If you're an angler, you're probably a canoeist. We also like to provide activities for people who aren't anglers or hunters; then everyone can learn side by side. This brings an understanding from both directions about why they do what they do, and gives everyone the opportunity to try something new. Q: What was behind the decision to significantly expand the program? We were finding that once we offered these activities to women, they were asking, "Where can I go to earn more about this?" So we started in 2011 with a trap clinic in Dewitt, and a skeet clinic in Camillus. We then decided to expand and do a few more things, including ice fishing outings. It's almost all year-round now. Q: How did you decide which individual sessions to add? We looked at what were popular activities that people requested to take at the workshops. Secondly, they fill out an evaluation form at the end of sessions; we listed things people might want to learn more about and people checked them off. And sometimes we just try something randomly. Q: What makes the program special? A: It's put on by volunteers. There's a big collective heart behind what we do. When you love something and you want other people to love something, the enthusiasm is contagious. Here's a look of six upcoming Women in Nature seminars. For more information, visit the Onondaga Federation of Sportmens Clubs website, email [email protected], or call (315) 243-7667, unless otherwise noted. 1). Women's Turkey Hunting Seminar Where: Fayetteville Manlius Rod and Gun Club When: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Aug. 10 No Fee Learn how to choose the correct equipment, experience different types of calls, look at decoys, go over regulations and practice shooting. You must pre-register by Aug.7. 2). Women's Bow Hunting Certification Course Where: Nedrow Sportsmen's Club for OCFSC Women In Nature When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 12 and 5:30 to 10 p.m., Aug. 14 No Fee This is the eight-hour, NY State certification course required to obtain a bow hunting license. You must preregister by Aug. 9 3). Women's Skeet Shooting Clinic Where: Camillus Sportsmen's Club When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug.17 Fee: $20.00 Learn the basics of skeet shooting through demonstrations and hands on experience. To register, contact Bob Dankiw at (315) 487-7892 or email [email protected] 4). Women's Archery Clinic Where: Pompey Rod and Gun Club When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 24 Fee: $10 An information session followed by shooting with the instructors. 5). Women's Fly Fishing Seminar Where: Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery, Elbridge, NY When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 14 and 15 Fee: $50 Learn fly-fishing basics, stream entomology, equipment set up and casting at any level. For more information contact Vicky Lane at (315) 558-2464, or email [email protected] 6). Women's Outdoor Self Protection Program Where: Camillus Sportsmen's Club When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 19 Train to prevent potential dangerous situations, extract yourself from a situation, and cover a variety of common attack methods. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Shouting drill instructors help weed out the weak or uncommitted recruits. Some recruits set their alarm clocks to go off at 4:30 a.m., anticipating a surprise room inspection. By 5:40 a.m., all line up outside at attention, wearing matching grey T-shirts, shorts and sneakers. Water bottles in hand, they're ready for an hour of intense physical training. "We split the group in two. Half will run today, the other half will do calisthenics and circuit training," said Lt. Bernard Rivers, the officer in charge. The circuit training consists of exercises like jumping rope, doing pushups with their feet elevated on a porch, repeatedly kicking and punching a free-standing punching bag and step-ups on a truck tire. A recruit repeatedly boxes and kicks a free-standing punching bag as part of his early morning physical training.Dick Blume | [email protected] That's all before breakfast. Welcome to the state Department of Environmental Conservation's paramilitary-style boot camp for new environmental conservation officers and forest rangers. It's currently underway at the DEC's training facility in Pulaski on the banks of the Salmon River. Due to state budget cuts, it's the first training class for new environmental conservation officers since 2008, and for forest rangers since 2007. Recruits do repeated step-ups on a truck tire as part of their early morning physical training.Dick Blume | [email protected] This year's recruits range in age from 24 to 44. There are 32 environmental conservation officers (26 males, 6 females) and 17 forest rangers (14 males, 3 females). The 24-week training session began May 6 and graduation is set for Oct. 18. Training takes place Monday through Friday and the recruits go home on weekends. Since the DEC' training facility lacks a kitchen, the recruits eat all their meals at a nearby Ponderosa Steakhouse. It's no walk in the park, though. Along with intense physical training, there's shouting drill instructors, stressful situations designed to weed out the uncommitted -- the constant saluting of superiors. And then there's the isolation from family and friends: recruits turn in their cell phones and car keys at the beginning of the week and don't get them back until Friday evening. There is one pay phone, but it costs $15 to make a collect call. The recruits, who learned quickly that it helped to have phone charge cards, are divided into two groups. One group can use the phone for an hour Tuesday evening; the other, an hour on Thursday evening. "They divvy up among themselves how they use that time," Sgt. Robert Inman, training coordinator. "They'll eventually be able to use their cell phones when they earn the privilege." Amy Cunningham, 26, of Marcy, is a forest ranger recruit with a four-year environmental science degree. She said she grew up "playing in the woods" and has a passion "for fighting for the environment." She's excited about her new career and understands what's going on with the training, but concedes the first few weeks made her wince. "I heard rumors about what was coming, but I wasn't 100 percent ready," she said. "That first night none of us slept. It was like 'What have I gotten myself into?' " John Gates, 32, Remsen, said being an environmental conservation officer is "something I always wanted to do." He loves to fish and has helped teach a hunter safety course with his father. He has a two-year, criminal justice degree and just got out of the Army, having served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. "This was still a shock. More than I thought it would be. A lot more rigid. I was ready for it either way," he said. Lt. Bernard Rivers, the officer in command at the DEC's training facility, stands next to bell that is rung whenever a recruit quits the program.Dick Blume | [email protected] On the front porch near the office is a bell given to the training officers by the 2008 graduating class. It's inscribed with the following words: "Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do." Rivers explains that when someone drops out of the program, they're obliged to ring the bell and then put their name tag up on the bulletin board outside the school's office. "It's for all to see and hear who has left," Rivers said, adding six recruits have already left. "It adds to their stress. Sometimes recruits will show up and realize right away it's not for them. "One guy in this class lasted an hour and half. He had a 3-year-old at home, his wife had just had infant triplets. And he said it's really not right for my wife to be home alone with them by herself and that 'I should get out of here.' " Recruits, from left, Amy Cunningham, of Marcy,(forest ranger), and John Gates, of Remsen, and Foster Matthew, of Camillus (both conservation officers), relax at breakfast after an hour-long physical training sessionDick Blume | [email protected] Stress is something the officers, drill instructors and other instructors apply to weed out those who have mistaken impressions about what these two state jobs entail, and to train the recruits to keep their cool under pressure. Things like waking them up out a sound sleep at midnight to fall in at attention outside to welcome a new recruit, or getting everyone up at 3 a.m. and asking them to throw their keys on the ground and to quickly figure out how to change rooms and roommates. The recruit group leaders struggled and fumbled one recent morning when everyone was suddenly pulled out of class and lined up for one of those "everyone switch rooms and roommates" orders. Only one minute remained for the leaders to make it work and it was obvious that wasn't going to happen. "What is your problem!! Can't you follow a simple, stupid order! You have until 13:00 hours to get this right! Now get back to class!" the drill instructor screamed at one group leader. Taped to the top of the desks in one classroom is a sheet of paper that reads: "Documentation results in termination." "That's a reminder not to screw up," Sgt. Robert Inman, training coordinator. On the outside bulletin board recently was posted a memo with the following: "Lt. Rivers has revoked our privilege of having protein powder as a supplement as of Sunday June 16. No protein powder of any type will be allowed until further notice. "Some the recruits were using it to help while they were working out...and somebody apparently screwed up," Inman said. "Now, the whole group has to suffer." Rivers explained both sets of recruits, though their training will be more separated as the 24 weeks progress, will take police-related coursework and receive Division of Criminal Justice Police Certification. Both will be issued firearms prior to graduation. During their training, they each carry a plastic handgun in a holster and are required to take care of it like a real gun. Both are exposed to the state's 71 chapters of environmental conservation law. However, the conservation officers undergo more fish and wildlife training, while the forest rangers focus more on regulations governing state lands, wildland fire fighting and search- and- rescue operations. "Both get a little of what each does, a basic understanding of each other's duties for those times that we have to work as a group," Rivers said. During a recent morning classroom session, the ECOs attended a lecture on the state's water quality laws, while the forest rangers were in another room learning how to be a squad leader on a fire fighting team. Other training includes such things as "defensive tactics," including boxing, firearm retention and handcuffing techniques of non-compliant people. Officer Beth Hagg, who oversees the facility's physical training and defensive tactics training, along with its drill instructors, said being an environmental conservation officer or forest ranger is "not for a delicate person, male or female."Dick Blume | [email protected] "If you grew up being pampered and treated as a little Barbie Doll, you can't suddenly make a life change to being strong on the inside and out. This is not for a delicate person, male or female," said Officer Beth Haag, who oversees the drill instructors, along with the physical and defensive tactics training. "You will be working with aggressive subjects...dealing with hunters who are drunk, fishermen who are drunk or for whatever reason feeling aggressive. You have to be able to handle yourself and take any subjects under your control or possibly into custody." Each recruit is issued a laptop computer. "Unlike a traditional police department where there's a station for them to go and work, for conservation officers and forest rangers their office is their state vehicle. Ninety percent of the equipment they need to work is stored in that vehicle and it goes home with them," Inman said. New to the training this year is a counter-terrorism component. Inman said 95 percent of the officers assigned to the greater New York City area will be carrying a "personal radiation detector." Officers will get trained in how to read it and isolate the source. Inman said the majority of the recruits will initially be assigned to downstate jobs on Long Island or New York City. Duties will include such things as enforcement of marine laws, checking for endangered species in the fashion district or regulating medical wastes. "We recently made a big arrest in a multi-million dollar elephant ivory case," he said. Going downstate doesn't bother conservation officer recruit Foster Matthew, 26, of Camillus. "My dream job is to get something around the Syracuse area," he said. "I'm excited, though, about getting to go down to Long Island. I heard they have some great waterfowl hunting down there. That will keep me happy." The recruits have to come in at certain level of conditioning and expected to improve upon that before graduating in October.Dick Blume | [email protected] MORE ON THE CONSERVATION OFFICER/FOREST RANGER RECRUITS: The starting salary for an environmental conservation officer is roughly $50,800, and $55,600 for a forest ranger. They get paid while they're getting trained. Recruits for both jobs are required to have a four-year degree in environmental science or criminal justice, or a two-year degree supplemented with two years of military service, a certified police training course or two years of experience in the areas of freshwater or marine sciences. PHYSICAL STANDARDS To get accepted as a recruit, candidates must be at the 50 percentile for their age and sex, according to the Cooper Institute fitness standards. When they graduate, they must be at the 70th percentile or better for pushups, situps and 1 ½ mile run. For example, for men ages 20-29 the 50 percentile requires 33 pushups, 40 situps in a minute and the run in 11:58. For women of that age, the requirement is 18 pushups, 35 situps and the run in 14:15. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The increased program offerings of the local Women in Nature program for the summer and early fall include fishing on Lake Ontario, fly fishing, skeet shooting, turkey hunting and more. </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Here's what I've been working on this week:</strong></p> <p>- The increased program offerings (seminars) of the local Women in Nature program this summer and early fall. Offerings include fishing on Lake Ontario, fly fishing, skeet shooting, turkey hunting and more!</p> <p> - The ponds at the north end of the village of Homer (Casterline Pond; Durkee Park) -- a definite CNY shoreline fishing hot spot.</p> <p>- The DEC boot camp for new environmental conservation officers and forest rangers.</p> <p>- How membership at local rod and gun clubs has increased with the advent of the SAFE ACT.</p> <p><strong>Other stuff I'm working on:</strong></p> <p>- Panfish lesson: How do tell a sunny, from a bluegill, from a pumpkinseed?</p> <p>- The upcoming Northern Regional Bassmasters competition on Oneida Lake.</p> <p>- High-quality,high-comfort camping for those who don't like to rough it.</p> <p>- The CNY triathlon culture. I was blown away recently covering the Ironman 70.3 Syracuse competition. Triathlons, and the people who do them, are a big thing and more and more people are getting into them.</p> <p>- An update on the Cornell Ornithology lab and its most recent compilation of recordings of more than 4,000 bird calls from across the world.</p> <p>- Which fishing rod do you use for bass fishing? The choices today are numerous and ever-growing.</p> <p>- The Cornell Vet School emergency room, and all the strange cases of domestic and wild animals that it deals with on a daily basis.</p> <p><strong>THE FIGURA CHALLENGE</strong></p> <p>I laid out the <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/05/take_the_figura_challenge_and.html">"The Figura Challenge"</a> over the Memorial Day weekend -- challenging readers to to check out 15 Central New York outdoors destinations during the summer. Several readers have already taken me up on it and I'm getting comments and pictures. It's not too late to get started!</p> <p>Each Thursday on this blog through the summer, I'll give an update on reactions, stories and photos submitted by readers about their travels to these destinations.</p> <p>Send your impressions and photos of the places you visit on the list to <a href="mailto:[email protected],">[email protected],</a></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. <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog