HuntingNY-News

The National Lake Trout Derby is once again being held on Seneca Lake, beginning Saturday and ending on Monday. CNY OUTDOORS CALENDAR National Lake Trout Derby: Saturday thru Monday, Seneca Lake. Prizes being offered for largest lake trout, brown, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Cost is $30 to enter. For more, see laketroutderby.org. General Clinton Canoe Regatta: Monday. This 70-mile canoe race (with pro and amateur divisions) begins on Otsego Lake in Cooperstown and continues on the Susquehanna River to Bainbridge. Other shorter races are offered during the weekend. For more, see canoeregatta.org. Women's lake fishing seminar: 6 to 10 a.m. May 27, presented by Irish Knots Sports Fishing and OCFSC Women In Nature. Learn lake-trolling techniques. Equipment provided. Space Limited. $50. For details and registration, email [email protected] or call 243-7667. Fishing derby: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 15, Otisco Lake. Reg Durant Memorial Fishing Derby and Raffle. Adults, $11; youth, $5 (15 years and younger). For more, see the Otisco Lake Rod and Gun Club website at olrgc.org. SAFETY COURSES: Bow: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 14, Deerslayer's Bowman's Club, Route 104, Hannibal. Pre-register. Call Chris at 806-5281 between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Bow: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 28, Stillbrook Fish and Game, 184 CC Road, Williamstown. Pre-register by calling 963-7530 or email [email protected]. Gun: 6 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 13, 14, 16, Nedrow Rod and Gun Club, Route 20 at Hogback Road, Navarino. Pre-register by calling 469-1820 or 469-4784. Bow: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25, Albion Fish and Game, 2770 State Route 13, Altmar. Pre-register by calling 963-7530 or email [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Lots of crappies and nice-sized bluegills are being caught on the Whitney Point Reservoir. CNY FISHING REPORT INLAND TROUT STREAMS: Many sections of area streams and lakes have been stocked as of May 10. They include Cayuga County: North Brook, Owasco Inlet, Salmon Creek and Fall Creek; Cortland County: Otselic River; Cortland County: Little York Lake, Merrill Creek, East Br. Tioughnioga River, West Br. Tioughnioga River, Casterline Pond and the Otselic River; Madison County: Upper Lelands Pond, Stonemill Brook, Beaver Creek, Canastota Creek, Limestone Creek, Payne Brook, Chittenango Creek, Canaseraga Creek, Chenango River, Cowaselon Creek, Old Chenango Canal, Oneida Creek, Sangerfield River, and the Otselic River; Onondaga County: Nine Mile Creek, Onondaga Creek; West Br. Onondaga Creek, Tannery Creek, Spafford Brook, Furnace Brook, Fabius Brook, Limestone Creek, West Br. Limestone Creek, Geddes Brook, Carpenters Brook, Butternut Creek, and Skaneateles Creek. (Hotline number is (315) 689-0003); Oswego County: Black Creek, North Br. Salmon River, Rice Creek, Salmon River and West Br. Fish Creek; Tompkins County: Enfield Creek, Virgil Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek and Cayuga Lake. LAKE ONTARIO Brown trout are hitting on stickbaits and small spoons fished in shallow water near shore during the early morning. As it gets brighter, moving to deeper water has been helping to extend the bite. Natural colors like black and silver, blue and silver and goby imitating have been working well. Lake trout fishing has been good in 100 to 200 feet of water and a few salmon are being caught as well. SALMON RIVER There are still a few drop-backs being caught throughout the river. A drop-back is a steelhead that has finished spawning and is on its way back to the lake. These fish are often very aggressive (hungry) after the rigors of spawning and are more willing to bite. With the lower water and bright conditions fishing early or late in the day, or in the deeper pools is also helping. Good baits are streamers like wooly buggers, night crawlers, pink Powerbait trout worms and egg sacs. OSWEGO RIVER Walleye are still being taken in the river on large stickbaits or night crawlers. The trout bite continues to wind down. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye are being taken in 12 to 20 feet of water with jigs tipped with a night crawler working. Walleye are scattered this time of year, so if not catching any keep searching indeeper or shallower water. Shore anglers are catching bullheads around the lake. Sunfish are also biting close to shore. Anglers getting out in boats are catching some black crappie and bullheads in Big Bay. (Just a reminder that you cannot fish for lake sturgeon,as they are on the threatened fishes list. If you accidentally hook one please do not fight it and release it quickly.) CAYUGA LAKE Anglers trolling stickbaits or spoons from the surface down to about 30 feet are still catching brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Trolling in 60 to 120 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers or Dipsey divers is working for lake trout. SENECA LAKE Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are hitting on spoons and stickbaits trolled near the surface down to 20 feet below the surface. Lake trout are hitting spoons and flasher and flies fished 60 to 150 feet down. Some perch are starting to show up in shallow water bays throughout the lake. OWASCO LAKE Anglers getting out on boats at the north end are continuing to catch yellow perch and some bullhead are being taken on the south end. OTISCO LAKE Tiger musky fishing has been good for anglers fishing for them. Remember tiger muskie must be 36 inches to be legal on Otisco Lake. Anglers taking advantage of the catch-and-release bass season are getting smallmouth bass. SKANEATELES LAKE Perch are being found in 15 to 25 feet. A few lake trout and rainbow trout are also being taken in the same depth range. Some smallmouth bass are being taken by anglers taking advantage of the catch- and- release season. SANDY POND: Anglers are getting some black crappie, bluegills and yellow perch. Small minnows, worms and spikes are good bait choices. Bullheads and crappie are being taken along the shoreline on minnows. SODUS BAY Yellow perch fishing continues to be slow, with anglers sorting through a lot of small perch to get some larger fish. Anglers fishing by the bridge on the south end are getting some bluegills, crappies, and bullheads. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Bullheads are being taken by shore anglers fishing off the Kiebel Road side. Lots of crappies and nice-sized bluegills are being caught all over. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

ATT: DAVE FIGURACENTRAL NEW YORK TRAP LEAGUERESULTS OF WEEK 6 O5/21/2013NORTHERN DIVISIONSOUTH SHORE 194 2 PTS AT NORTH SPORTSMAN 190 0 PTSCENTRAL SQUARE 195 0 PTS AT TOAD HARBOR 200 2 PTSPATHFINDER 0 0 PTS AT BYE 0 0 PTSSOUTHERN DIVISONSKANEATELES 197 2 PTS AT DEWITT 183 0 PTSPOMPEY 198 2 PTS AT CAMILLUS 196 0 PTSBRIDGEPORT 189 0 PTS AT THREE RIVERS 194 2 PTSSTANDINGSTOAD HARBOR 8 992 POMPEY 9 1184PATHFINDER 7 786 THREE RIVERS 8 1157SOUTH SHORE 6 976 SKANEATELES 7 1175CENTRAL SQUARE 3 955 CAMILLUS 6 1170NORTH SPORTSMAN 0 746 BRIDGEPORT 6 1155BYE 0 0 DEWITT 0 110725,SBRIDGEPORT---100--VINCE VALIOS--25,S--DAVE COONCAMILLUS---50,S--DAVE SHIPMAN--25,S--BOB WIEGAND--TONY NOCE--JACK GUTCHESSCENTRAL SQUARE---50,S---DAN FRIGON JR.--25,S--W.J.HALL--CHUCK PARKERDEWITT---NONENORTH SPORTSMAN----25,S--TIM RODER--HENRY GASSPATHFINDER------BYEPOMPEY----50,S---TOM MCDERMOTT--JEFF CAIN--25,S--TIM WILCOX--B.R.WAY--DREW ELLIOTTPRESTON WILEYSKANEATELES---50,S---URB WORMER--25,S--JOHN STANLEY--DENNIS BILLINGTON--JUSTIN SLATERGARY DOBIESSOUTH SHORE---25,S---RICK ASHLEY--BRIAN KURYLATHREE RIVERS--25,S--WES WOOLRIDGE SR.--TED CAVALLAROTOAD HARBOR---50,S--GARY ODELL--JOE MAC--25,S--RAY COLE--BRAD SURLOCK--WILL MILTONPAUL CRIPP--MILE OBEY--LISA KEWITTA--BILL KENT--RICK MOTHERSELL--CODY MOTHERSELLGEORGE GIBBS100--VINCE VALIOS-ince Valios of Bridgeport has shot 25 out of 25 for four straight weeks. CENTRAL NEW YORK TRAP LEAGUE RESULTS OF WEEK 6 (May 21) NORTHERN DIVISION SOUTH SHORE (194) at NORTH SPORTSMAN (190) CENTRAL SQUARE (195) at TOAD HARBOR (200) PATHFINDER (bye) SOUTHERN DIVISON SKANEATELES (197) at DEWITT (183) POMPEY (198) at CAMILLUS(196) BRIDGEPORT (189) at THREE RIVERS (194) Shooters who shot 25 out of 25 (Where100 and 50 are listed, that means shooters have shot 25 out of 25 four straight weeks or for two straight weeks, respectively) BRIDGEPORT---100--VINCE VALIOS--25,S--DAVE COON CAMILLUS--50,S--DAVE SHIPMAN--25,S--BOB WIEGAND--TONY NOCE--JACK GUTCHESS CENTRAL SQUARE---50,S---DAN FRIGON JR.--25,S--W.J.HALL--CHUCK PARKER DEWITT---NONE NORTH SPORTSMAN----25,S--TIM RODER--HENRY GASS POMPEY----50,S---TOM MCDERMOTT--JEFF CAIN--25,S--TIM WILCOX--B.R.WAY--DREW ELLIOTT-- PRESTON WILEY SKANEATELES---50,S---URB WORMER--25,S--JOHN STANLEY--DENNIS BILLINGTON--JUSTIN SLATER -- GARY DOBIES SOUTH SHORE---25,S---RICK ASHLEY--BRIAN KURYLA THREE RIVERS--25,S--WES WOOLRIDGE SR.--TED CAVALLARO TOAD HARBOR---50,S--GARY ODELL--JOE MAC--25,S--RAY COLE--BRAD SURLOCK--WILL MILTON --PAUL CRIPP--MILE OBEY--LISA KEWITTA--BILL KENT--RICK MOTHERSELL--CODY MOTHERSELL -- GEORGE GIBBS Results courtesy of Dick Masterpole. He notes nominations are still needed for the positions of president and vice president of the North Division. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

They caught nearly 1 1/2 tons of carp to take first place. Watch video A pair of weary New Englanders won the 75-hour team event of the Wild Carp Week Triathlon this morning, landing nearly 1 1/2 tons of carp. Robert Duprey, of Brattleboro, Vt. and Dmitri Consolati, of Lee, Mass, won $3,000 for their feat of catching 186 carp that weighed a total of 2,811 pounds. (Only carp that weighed more than 10 pounds were counted in the catch-and-release contest.) Robert Duprey readies a carp to be weighed.Dick Blume | [email protected] The two, who both got between them no more than 5 minutes of sleep for the entire competition, put down their rods with a half hour to go at their mud-covered site. At the time, they had 10 unweighed fish in a large mesh bag in the water attached to shore. "We feel we've had enough. My feet are sore, my legs are sore. I've been these waders since Sunday morning. I haven't slept at all. We're beat up," Consolati said. Duprey said he had a "serious case trench foot going on," in addition to poison ivy on his backside. In second place was Jason Edwards and James Hill, of Atlanta, Ga. They caught 164 fish, with a total weight of 2,580 pounds. They won $2,000 for their efforts. Second place finishers James Hill, left, and Jason Edwards, from Atlanta, Ga., with one of the carp they caught during the 11th hour of the tournament. Dick Blume | [email protected] With about 45 minutes to go, the southerners were still in a frenzy, landing nearly a dozen carp. They were admittedly tired, getting no more than four hours each during the 75- hour stretch.. "My big toe is mad at me. My back is killing me, but that's OK," said Hill. "Like I told my son, it's not about the money. It's the recognition." Third place went to Adam Holodan and Tomasz Falaszewski of Illinois, who registered 140 fish, weighing 2,135 pounds. They won $1,500. Duke Stratchie, of Baldwinsville, and his partner, Tom Brooks, of Kings Mountain, N.C., turned in the biggest fish of the tournament -- a 38-pound, 5 ounce common carp caught by Strache on Monday. The largest mirror carp was turned in by the team of Barry McPeak and Gary Ruble, of South Carolina. It weighed 22 pounds, 10 ounces. Duke Strache, of Baldwinsville, with his 38-pound, 5 ounce common carp -- the biggest of the team tournament.Wild Carp Companies Those two fish won those teams $1,000 and $800, respectively. The Big Four award (total weight of four biggest carp), went to Bogdan Bucur and teammate, Mihai Aciu, both from Chicago, who registered 117 pounds, 9 ounces. They won $2,000 for that feat. In addition to those awards, tournament director Jason Bernhardt, broke the 30-team field down to six sections, awarding the team with the largest total weight in each section an additional $1,500. See the updated leader board. Sorted Final Results.pdf The catch in this year's tournament was bolstered by several factors. In addition to the good weather and water conditions, Bernhardt limited the field to 30 team to allow the anglers a larger area to fish their assigned areas, and also allowed them to pre-bait their areas Saturday evening before the competition began Sunday morning. And finally, he extended the tournament time from 50 straight hours of fishing to 75. Following this afternoon's awards ceremony, a separate day-long Big Fish competition is scheduled on Thursday and a Big Four contest is set for Friday. Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of the triathlon. For more on Wild Carp Week and updated results, see The Wild Carp Companies website, the "Wild Carp Week" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at [email protected]. . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Snapping turtles are known to go as far as 100 yards away from water to lay their eggs. </p> <p><br /> As I said in the first "Ask the Outdoors Guy" column, I will try my best to answer questions submitted by readers or seek out an expert who can help.</p> <p><strong>This past week I discovered a huge snapping turtle in my yard that was about 75 feet away from a nearby creek and swamp. I assume it was laying eggs or something. How far will snapping turtles go from water to lay their eggs?</strong></p> <p>People have actually studied this, said Tom Bell, a wildlife biologist at the DEC's Cortland office. Definitely, it was leaving the water to lay eggs. They will go up to 83 feet from the water, according to one study. However, I've seen them go more than 100 yards. Bottom line, they're looking for an area with sandy soil to lay their eggs.</p> <p><strong><br />Recently, a family of foxes have taken up residence around my house. I have more than a half dozen of the kits (baby foxes) lounging on my deck during the day and there's an adult that keeps laying on my driveway and on my neighbors'. I haven't been feeding them. What should I do? Will they eventually go back into the woods?</strong></p> <p>It's a pretty common problem with foxes, Bell said. I've seen lots of pictures. The most important thing to recognize is that the foxes feel comfortabl e doing that. Nothing has happened to scare them off. Undoubtedly, their den is nearby. However, the adults do move their young around. What we tell people is that if you have a wild animal you don't want to establish itself near you, you have to make them feel uncomfortable. For example, people who have bears taking up near them often bang on pots and pans to scare them off. That should work with foxes, too. </p> <p><strong>I have a male bluebird that every morning the past week or so has been perching on my deck and on the window sills and directly on the screen of my living room. It's been messing on my screen. What should I do?</strong></p> <p>Laura Erickson, former science editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and author of several books on birds, said bluebirds are very territorial and sing loud to let others of its species know the area it has claimed. Other bluebirds generally respect its song. Most likely, she said, this male is seeing its mirror image in the window and when it's on the screen. It can't figure out what's going on and gets irritated. She suggested temporarily putting up some of paper orsome other covering over the window to prevent the bluebird from seeing its mirror image. Among the songbirds, bluebirds, robins and cardinals in particular have trouble discerning or understanding what's going on when they see their mirror image in a window - sometimes to their demise.</p> <p><strong>Last year, I replaced the wood on the eaves of my front porch. This spring, a woodpecker has continually pecked away at certain locations. In addition, it's pecking on my cedar shake shingles. I think it's going after the box elder bugs on both from a nearby tree. What should I do?</strong></p> <p>Without knowing the species of woodpecker and exactly what its eating, it's hard to say. <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/wp_about/">The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a page on its website dedicated to questions about woodpeckers </a> and damage that they can cause on a home or other personal property of humans. The page offers a number of helpful suggestions about dealing with the problem.</p> <p>Have a question about fish or wildlife for the Outdoors Guy? Send it to [email protected]<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The final results of the team competition will be available early this afternoon. It's unclear at this point which team won the total weight category. The final hours this morning of the 75-hour team event in the Wild Carp Week Triathlon turned into a war of attrition, with no clear winner at this point. The top, two-person teams both have landed more than a ton each of carp since the tournament began at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. The contest ended at 10 a.m. today. FInal results should be released early this afternoon. The front runner throughout has been the team of Robert Duprey, of Bratteboro, Vt., and his partner Dmitri Consolati, of Lee, Mass. But the team of Jason Edwards and James Hill, both of Atlanta, Ga. had a fast and furious night, catching fish after fish. With about 45 minutes to go, the southerners were still in a frenzy, landing more than a half dozen fish.They were tired and weary, getting no more than four hours total during the 75 hour stretch.. "My big toe is mad at me. My back is killing me, but that's OK," said Hill. "Like I told my son, it's not about the money. It's the recognition." About a half mile upstream, the scene at Duprey and Consolati's fishing site was a stark contrast. Both anglers sat in their chairs with a half hour left to go. There were no poles in the water and nearly a dozen carp in their bags tied to shore, with fish inside waiting to be weighed. "We feel we've had enough. My feet are sore, my legs are sore. I've been these waders since Sunday morning. I haven't slept at all. We're beat up," Consolati said. Duprey gingerly walked to help a marshall who was weighing and recording the weight of their fish. "I have a serious case of trench foot going on," he said, adding that he also had a "serious case" of poison ivy on his backside. "Picked that up the first day," he said, adding he only slept for about five minutes, "and that's when I nodded off in my chair." ;Unofficially, Duke Stratchie, of Baldwinsville, still has the largest common carp at 38 pounds, 5 ounces. The largest mirror carp was turned in by the team of Barry McPeak and Gary Ruble, of South Carolina. It weighed 22 pounds, 10 ounces. The team of Attila Horvath and Peter Sendula lead in the Big Four category with their four biggest carp weighing a total of 113 pounds, 13 ounces. That could change, according to one angler who said he has that beat. Following the team competition, a Big Fish competition is scheduled on Thursday and a Big Four (weight of four biggest fish) competition is set for Friday. Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of all three contests. More than $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded this week. For more on Wild Carp Week and updated results, see The Wild Carp Companies website, the "Wild Carp Week" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at [email protected]. . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> This was his first shot, first time out. His father thought the boy's firearm had misfired. </p> <p> I got the following from proud mom Jessica Mathews, of Solvay, about her son's first wild turkey. He got it in Elbridge.</p> <p>Jessica wrote: "I wanted to send a picture of my son and his first turkey (jake). These were taken on Sat, May 4 (opening weekend).</p> <p>"Cole Mathews (yes, only 1 T in Mathews) of Solvay is 12, and had just completed his hunter safety course the week before. This was his first shot, first time out.</p> <p>"Got it within 5 min of sitting down. His Dad couldn't believe it, thought he had misfired. It's a great story, and made for a great memory."<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The deadline for the newspaper's annual Wildlife Photography contest is soon. June 5 to be exact. Get those entries in! The best photos will run on Father's Day. </p> <p>I can't believe it. Memorial Day weekend is upon us. I haven't shot a wild turkey yet, nor have a put my boat on the water.</p> <p>And there's a ton of yard work to do!</p> <p>Meanwhile, here's what I'm working on for this week and beyond:</p> <p>- Finishing up the Wild Carp Week Triathlon. The 75-hour team event ends this morning (I was thinking about those poor guys as I was in bed last night listening to the rain), but there's still separate Big Fish and Big Four competitions set for Thursday and Friday.</p> <p>- I looked at the calendar. There's 15 weekends between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. I'm assembling a list of 15 prime outdoor locations to visit (a checklist) for readers.</p> <p>- When do you take your summer vacation during the summer? Staff meteorologist Dave Eichorn talked about this and offer up the best time (in our humble opinions) based on the warmest temperatures and most number of rainy days (according to 20 years of stats). </p> <p>- Lampreys in Oneida Lake? You betcha. A contingent of Canadians are traveling down here Memorial Day weekend to apply lampricide in Fish Creek to kill spawning adults.</p> <p>- Boot camp for state environmental conservation officers? There's one going on right now up in Pulaski.. the first one offered since 2008. A small contingent of forest rangers are participating in the beginning before breaking off for their own training. </p> <p>- The Great Blue Heron rookie up at the Sterling Nature Center. It's something to see and should be prime for viewing in a few weeks.</p> <p>- Also: Good shoreline fishing hotspots; a couple of trout stream profiles and Hike of the Week. </p> <p><strong>Two new occasional features:</strong></p> <p>1). "Keeping Watch" a weekly or bi-weekly report from the Region 7 DEC office noting the fional dispositions of recent tickets issued by local conservation officers. Only ones where the defendant has pleaded guilty or is found guilty will be listed.</p> <p>2). "Ask the Outdoors Guy" a weekly posting noting a question or questions from readers about the outdoors. If I can't provide an answer, I'll find someone who will. <strong>Send your questions to d<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</strong></p> <p><strong>FInally:</strong> <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/05/entries_now_being_accepted_for.html">The deadline for the newspaper's annual Wildlife Photography contest is soon</a>. June 5 to be exact. Get those entries in! The best photos will run on Father's Day.</p> <p><br /><strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong><br />The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 470-6066.</p> <p><a href="http://update.syracuse.com/adv_syracuse/newsletters/syracuse/subscribe.htm">If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.</a>.</p> <p><strong>FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:</strong><br />For those who are on Facebook, I also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PostStandardOutdoors#!/PostStandardOutdoors#!/photo.php?fbid=3369108872206&set=a.1178365985003.2028364.1403751639&type=1&theater&notif_t=like">PS Outdoors page</a>, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

As of 1 p.m. today, anglers recorded an eye-opening 1,654 fish, with a total weight of 26,438 pounds, said Jason Bernhardt, tournament director. Day 3 of the Wild Carp WeekTriathlon team event on the Seneca River saw weary anglers dealing with humid 80- degree weather, followed by a thunderstorm around 6 p.m. It didn't affect the bite. As of 1 p.m. this afternoon, the anglers continued at a record pace for total fish caught and total weight. With 21 hours of fishing left, anglers on the 30, two-person teams recorded an eye-opening 1,654 fish for a total total weight of 26,438 pounds, said Jason Bernhardt, tournament director. The non-stop,75-hour tournament -- one of three this week in the schedule-- wraps up at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. All three competitions are being run on a catch-and- release format after the fish are weighed. Carp have to weigh at least 10 pounds to be counted. The leader in total weight category continues to be the New England team of Robert Duprey, of Maine, and Dimitri Consolati, of Massachusetts, with 133 fish and a total weight of 2002 pounds. In second is the team of Jason Edwards and James Hill, both of Georgia, with 106 fish, weighing 1,714 pounds. In third is Goran Batlak and Tim Rumlow, of Wisconsin, with 93 fish, weighing 1,401 pounds. Duke Stratchie, of Baldwinsville, still has the largest common carp at 38 pounds, 5 ounces. The largest mirror carp, Bernhardt said, was turned in by the team of Barry McPeak and Gary Ruble, of South Carolina. It weighed 22 pounds, 10 ounces. The team of Attila Horvath and Peter Sendula lead in the Big Four category with a weight of 22 pounds, 10 ounces. Following the team competition, a Big Fish competition is scheduled on Thursday and a Big Four (weight of four biggest fish) competition is set for Friday. Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of all three contests. More than $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded this week. For more on Wild Carp Week and updated results, see The Wild Carp Companies website, the "Wild Carp Week" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> If you care, leave it there. In nearly all cases that is the best thing for the animal. </p> <p><strong>The following is a DEC press release:</strong></p> <p>New Yorkers should keep their distance and not to disturb newborn fawns or other young wildlife as many animals are in the peak season for giving birth, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today cautioned. </p> <p>It is not unusual to see a young bird crouched in the yard or a young rabbit in the flower garden, both apparently abandoned. Finding a fawn deer lying by itself is also fairly common. Many people assume that young wildlife found alone are helpless and need assistance for their survival, however, in nearly all cases this is a mistake and typically human interaction does more damage than good.</p> <p>Those that see a fawn or other newborn wildlife should enjoy their encounter but keep it brief, maintain some distance and do not attempt to touch the animal. </p> <p>Young wildlife quickly venture into the world on shaky legs or fragile wings. While most are learning survival from one or both parents, some normally receive little or no care. Often, wild animal parents stay away from their young when people are near. For all of these young animals, the perils of survival are a natural part of life in the wild. </p> <p>White-tailed deer fawns present a good example of how human intervention with young wildlife can be problematic. Most fawns are born during late May and the first half of June. While fawns are able to walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still. During this period a fawn is also usually left alone by the adult female (doe) except when nursing. People occasionally find a lone fawn and mistakenly assume it has been orphaned or abandoned, which is very rare. Fawns should never be picked up. If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse. </p> <p>A fawn's best chance to survive is by being raised by the adult doe. Fawns nurse three to four times a day, usually for less than 30 minutes at a time, but otherwise the doe keeps her distance. This helps reduce the chance that she will attract a predator to the fawn. The fawn's protective coloration and ability to remain motionless all help it avoid detection by predators and people. </p> <p>By the end of its second week, a fawn begins to move about more and spend more time with the doe. It also begins to eat grass and leaves. At about ten weeks of age, fawns are no longer dependent on milk, although they continue to nurse occasionally into the fall. During August, all deer begin to grow their winter coat and fawns lose their spots during this process.</p> <p>Should you find a fawn or other young wildlife, If You Care, Leave It There.</p> <p>In nearly all cases that is the best thing for the animal. DO NOT consider young wildlife as possible pets. This is illegal and is bad for the animal. Wild animals are not well suited for life in captivity and they may carry diseases that can be given to people. Resist the temptation to take them out of the wild.</p> <p>For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about young wildlife, <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6956.html">visit the DEC website</a>.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Registrations were up 200 percent. More than 125 participated in the Kids Fun Run. </p> <p>Nearly 1,000 participated in the 5th annual Charity for Children Run and Walk held Sunday at Green Lakes State Park. </p> <p>Registrations were up more than 200 percent this year. The event focused on the competitive runner with a 8K event, in addition offering a 5K run/walk. There was also a Kids Fun Run, according to Michael Centore, the race director.</p> <p><a href="https://www.getentered.com/results/default.aspx?event=18354&r=5377"><br />See results of the 5K run.</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.getentered.com/results/default.aspx?event=18354&r=5378">See results of the 8K run</a></p> <p>The day saw more than 125 kids in the Kids Run Run, which was an untimed event. There were also some 300 walkers that participated in the 5K walk, Centore said.</p> <p>For more on the event or the sponsoring organization, <a href="http://www.charityforchildren.net">see the Charity for Children website.</a></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The following is a press release: Girls and boys ages 12-15 are invited to the Montezuma Audubon Center for up to three weeks of Sportsman Education. Get your hunter safety, bow safety and waterfowl identification certificates in three weeks of hands-on learning and outdoor experiences. The camps will run from July 15 - Aug.1st (Monday-Thursday for each course). Each week... The following is a press release: Girls and boys ages 12-15 are invited to the Montezuma Audubon Center for up to three weeks of Sportsman Education. Get your hunter safety, bow safety and waterfowl identification certificates in three weeks of hands-on learning and outdoor experiences. The camps will run from July 15 - Aug.1st (Monday-Thursday for each course). Each week will feature interesting and engaging classroom-style learning, covering the basics of each course, enhanced by hands-on outdoor field lessons including orienteering, canoeing, tracking game and more. Participants will also take part in conservation projects that enhance habitats for game and non-game species. Major support for this program is provided by Bass Pro Shops. Registration is required and very limited, call (315) 365-3588 or email [email protected] before Friday June 21. Cost per camper: $100 for one week, $190 for two and $270 for all three. Camp schedule (Monday through Thursday 9 a.m to 4 p.m.): Week 1 - Hunter Safety - July 15-18 Week 2 - Bow Safety - July 22-25 Week 3 - Waterfowl ID - July 29-August 1 For more information about the Sportsman Camp or about the Montezuma Audubon Center, visit the center's website. The Montezuma Audubon Center is located at 2295 State Route 89, Savannah. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He just turned 12 on May 1! Hunter White, of Bridgeport, just turned 12 May 1, so this is the first turkey season that he could hunt. He shot this jake in Minoa on May 15. The bird weighed 15 pounds, had a 4- inch beard and 1/4- inch spurs. He is very proud of his first turkey! View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It measured 22 3/4 inches. Ken Pickard, of North Syracuse, holds up a nice 22 3/4- inch brown trout he caught recently on the East Branch of the Salmon River in Redfield.. "I caught it using ultra-light equipment on a Rooster Tail (lure)," he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Tournament director Jason Bernhardt said by 1 p.m. today, anglers had recorded 1,006 fish, weighing a total of nearly 16,000 pounds. <span class="video_icon_left_small"><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/05/wild_carp_week_triathlon_angle.html">Watch video</a></span> </p> <p><br />Anglers fishing the 75-hour team event in the Wild Carp Week Triathlon on the Seneca River entered Day 2 today with good catches, coupled with thoughts about they were going to cope with their sleep needs during this year's event.</p> <p>"Last year, when it was 50 straight hours, I got about 30 minutes of sleep total and actually fell asleep, face first, in my food at the dinner afterward," said Justin Keaton, of Indianapolis, Ind.</p> <p>"I haven't slept yet this year. It's the motivation, the drive -- the money that keeps you awake," he said.</p> <p> </p> <p>The team event kicked off at 7 a.m. Sunday and stretches to 10 a.m. Wednesday, with anglers fishing both day and night. In past competitions, the team event lasted 50 straight hours. Tournament officials added on an extra day, they said, to try and increase the total catch, along with increasing angler satisfaction. Some had suggested there needed to be more fishing time after lackluster catches the past two years.</p> <p>Thanks to the new practice this year of allowing the anglers to bait their assigned fishing spots beforehand, the action was fast and furious on Day 1 Sunday. It showed no sign of slowing down today.</p> <p>"Our catch after 24 hours is more than what we caught last year after 50 hours of fishing," said Christine Stout, of Indianapolis, who is Keaton's partner and the lone female in tournament.</p> <p>Tournament director Jason Bernhardt said by 1 p.m. today, anglers had recorded 1,006 fish, weighing a total of nearly 16,000 pounds. Carp weighing under 10 pounds are not weighed.</p> <p>"If we did, we would be over 20,000 pounds," he said.</p> <p>As of 1 p.m. this afternoon, the team of Robert Duprey, of Brattloboro, Vt. and Dmitri Consolati, of Lee, Mass., were in the lead with 73 fish, weighing a total of 1,077 pounds. <strong><em>(Editor's note: I'll update this later this evening when the results from the day are finalized).</em></strong></p> <p>Meanwhile, the biggest common carp so far was landed by Duke Strache, of Baldwinsville, on whose land along the river that many of the anglers are fishing. His fish weighed 38 pounds, 5 ounces.</p> <p>The biggest mirror carp, a smaller species in the carp family, was reeled in by the Pennsylvania team of Chris Jackson and Scott Russell. It weighed 21 pounds, 5 ounces. The biggest fish of both species will earn the lucky angler (s) a prize of $1,000, each.</p> <p>Most of the two-person angling teams interviewed today said they had no sleeping game plan going into the contest, apart from catching catnaps when the fatigue sets in, and having at least one of the anglers awake to watch the team's four poles at all times. Each angler is allowed two poles to fish.</p> <p>A few, including Keaton, said they were going to try and stay awake through Wednesday morning.</p> <p>Gary Ruble, of Spartansburg, S.C., fishing to Lions Park with partner, Barry "Red Dog" McPeak, of Easley, S.C. said that's foolish. He said Sunday night he snoozed for a good two hours.</p> <p>"If you don't get any sleep, you're going to lose all your concentration, your focus, your mental ability, " he said. "If you don't take a little break now and then and keep yourself refreshed, eat food and water, you'll just wear out. You ain't going to catch nothing."</p> <p>Tim Rumlow, of Sheboygan, WIsc., said he got a lot of sleep the night before the tournament, and has been drinking plenty of coffee, along with trying to stay out of the sun to keep hydrated. As of noon Monday, he hadn't sleep a wink during the tournament.</p> <p>"Last year, I did 63 hours straight, during and after the tournament," he said. "It was really rough. That was definitely pushing the limits. And with the forecast this week of temperature in the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday, it's definitely going to be hard. The heat will take it out of you."</p> <p>Rumlow said he's equipped with a good supply of Frappuccinos -- double expressos.</p> <p>"You're going to get loopy whether you drink coffee or not. That's how I deal with it," he said.</p> <p>Last year's winners in the 50-hour competition, Jason Long, of Batavia, and his cousin, Dan Kelsey, of Attica, said they each got 6-7 hours during the contest.</p> <p>"You push it as far as you can and you hit a wall, and you need some sleep," Kelsey said. "We're not using any coffee -- just adrenaline. That's about it."</p> <p>Teams are allowed a "runner," a third teammate who can help net the fish, assist in the weighing-in process and do whatever else needs to be done without touching a rod, Some teams have one in this tournament; others didn't.</p> <p>'The first year we didn't have one and we regretted it," Kelsey said. His team's runner is his brother, Brian, who was with them last year when they won. Did he get a share of the winnings?</p> <p>"Yeah, I got a case of creamed corn," he said,laughing.</p> <p>Steve Bailey, of Morrisville, and teammate Chris West, of Syracuse, are using buddy, Jordan Wright, of Red Creek, as their runner.</p> <p>"He gets right in the water to help net, he clear branches, fights water snakes. The best runner there is," Bailey said.</p> <p>Following the team competition, a Big Fish competition is scheduled on Thursday and a Big Four (weight of four biggest fish) competition is set for Friday.</p> <p>Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of all three contests. More than $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded this week.</p> <p>For more on Wild Carp Week and updated results, see <a href="http://www.wildcarpcompanies.com">The Wild Carp Companies website</a>, the "Wild Carp Week" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

One race is in New Haven, the other is in Auburn. CNY RUNNING SCENE There are two local, 5K running competitions this weekend. The first is the Eagle Run, which is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in front of New Haven Elementary School, at 4320 State Route 104, in New Haven.This race is an Eagle Scout project that will benefit the New Haven American Legion. Registration, which closed Saturday, was $30. Fee included chicken barbecue afterward. The moving Vietnam Wall will also be in New Haven to view after the race. For more, call 963-8672. Sunday, the Catch Me If You Can 5K starts at 9 a.m. in front of Falcon Park, home of the Auburn Doubledays, at 130 N. Division St. in Auburn. The race will take runners through the north side of the city. Cost for students is $15; adults, $30. A free children's race will follow the main event. For more, or to register online see the Syracuse Fleet Feet Store's website at fleetfeetsyracuse.com. For more information on upcoming races during the coming weeks in an area stretching from Binghamton to Watertown, see the Fleet Feet events calendar. Last weekend's results There were two running races last weekend, both held on Saturday. The biggest was the 19th annual "Susan G. Komen CNY Race for the Cure," at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes. The event featured a 1-mile Kids for the Cure Dash and a 5 K run/walk. More than 6,200 runners participated. For a searchable database of the results online, see syracuse.com. The second race was the The Whitney Point Preschool & Daycare 5K run, which was also held Saturday morning. Visit the pre-school's website at wp-preschool.org for complete results. The race, a fundraiser for the daycare center, begins at 9 a.m. at Dorchester Park. For information or to register, check out the events calendar on the Fleet Feet Syracuse store's website at fleetfeetsyracuse.com. For more information on upcoming races during the coming weeks in an area stretching from Binghamton to Watertown, see the Fleet Feet events calendar. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

New York now has 15 counties where EAB has been found. Most of the infested areas are small and localized, while more than 98 percent of New York's forests and communities are not yet infested. The following is a DEC press release: The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed for the first time in Delaware and Otsego counties by the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today The EAB was found just south of the village of Unadilla in Delaware County and just north of the village of Unadilla in Otsego County. A timber harvester working in a private woodlot just south of Unadilla (in Delaware County) reported the suspected EAB infestation to DEC officials. This was the first report of a possible EAB infestation in a woodlot from the forest products industry in New York. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black, and blue ash. Damage from EAB is caused by the larvae, which feed in tunnels just below the ash tree's bark. The tunnels disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches and eventually the entire tree, to die. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other signs of infestation include tree canopy dieback, yellowing and extensive sprouting from the roots Field observations and reports of suspected EAB infestations from the public are very important to the DEC in managing the satellite infestations and providing early-warning and response guidance to at-risk forest owners and communities. DEC and NYSDAM staff responded to the suspected EAB report by visiting the site and NYSDAM inspectors collected specimens which were sent to USDA APHIS for official confirmation. Follow-up surveys by Cornell and NYSDAM staff identified additional suspected-infested trees just north and west of Unadilla, in Otsego County. A NYSDAM inspector also collected samples there and submitted them for confirmation. DEC, APHIS, Cornell University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue to study the infestation in the area in an attempt to determine its extent. With the confirmation of EAB in Delaware and Otsego counties, New York now has 15 counties where EAB has been found. Most of the infested areas are small and localized, while more than 98 percent of New York's forests and communities are not yet infested. New York State's EAB quarantine order was expanded through a NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) emergency rulemaking effective March 15, 2013, connecting two separate quarantine areas to make one uniform area encompassing all or part of 20 counties south of the NYS Thruway. The quarantine prohibits any movement of live EAB, in any life stage, from the site where they are found. This includes ash logs known or found to be infested from a woodlot, as well as infested firewood. Non-infested ash logs and products can be moved within the quarantine area, no movement of ash wood is allowed to leave the quarantine area to areas outside it. DEC has adopted a strategy called Slow Ash Mortality (SLAM) to slow the spread of EAB within the state and mitigate its devastating economic and environmental impacts. DEC's SLAM strategy encompasses a variety of approaches, including removing infested trees, defining and monitoring infestation boundaries more precisely and researching insecticides and organisms that kill pests. As part of the strategy, DEC and APHIS deploy purple traps in areas of the state outside of the quarantine area, while DEC will also continue trapping near the known infestation during the summer months to help detect any new insect infestations. Communities face particular risks, as ash is a common street and park tree; and green ash, in particular, has been widely planted as an ornamental tree in yards. Efforts like DEC's SLAM initiative can significantly delay the loss of ash trees and the subsequent costs for their removal and replacement. DEC expects to announce the Request for Proposals for the next round of Urban & Community Forestry grants early this summer. Communities and non-profit organizations can apply for these grants to support EAB preparedness planning and response activities for their urban forests. Watch DEC's website for updates. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black, and blue ash. Damage from EAB is caused by the larvae, which feed in tunnels just below the ash tree's bark. The tunnels disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches and eventually the entire tree, to die. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other signs of infestation include tree canopy dieback, yellowing and extensive sprouting from the roots and trunk. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction. The first detection of EAB in New York was in the town of Randolph, Cattaraugus County, in June 2009. Since then, infestations were later discovered in more counties in Western New York and the Hudson Valley. New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state, and all are at risk from EAB. DEC's firewood regulation remains in effect, which prohibits the movement of untreated firewood of any species more than 50 miles from its designated source or origin. In 2008, New York first adopted regulations banning untreated firewood from entering the state and restricting intrastate movement of untreated firewood to no more than a 50-mile radius from its source. This was implemented as a precaution against the introduction and spread of EAB and other invasive species because of the documented risk of transmission by moving firewood. After more than three years of outreach and education efforts about the risks of moving firewood and the state's regulation, DEC is increasing its enforcement efforts to prevent the movement of untreated firewood into and around New York. DEC urges residents to watch for signs of infestation in ash trees. To learn more about EAB and the firewood regulations, visit DEC's website. Woodlot owners and municipalities can contact the nearest DEC Forestry office for technical assistance and forest management recommendations to prepare for the threat of EAB in their area. Forest landowners can request a DEC Forester visit their woodlot and develop a free Forest Stewardship Plan. This plan would address the landowner's objectives and discuss how the arrival (or proximity) of the EAB could impact the owner's forest resources. Forest owners can schedule a site visit by contacting their local DEC Forestry office. To report signs of EAB, or ash trees showing symptoms of EAB attack, call DEC's emerald ash borer hotline at 1-866-640-0652 or submit an EAB report on DEC's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Day 1 kicked off at 7 a.m. this morning and most anglers said they immediately noticed the difference. In past carp-fishing competitions on the Seneca River, anglers began starting tossing out bait once the tournament started. The practice would temporarily spook the fish and often resulted in slow starts. Louie Kiah, of Ogdensburg, N.Y. with his 31 pound, 11-ounce carp, which was the biggest fish caught by late Sunday afternoon. This year Wild Carp Week Triathlon tournament director Jason Bernhardt, disappointed with total catches the past two years, tried a different tact. After the anglers on the 31, two-person teams got their designated fishing areas for the 70-hour team competition Saturday afternoon, Bernhardt allowed the anglers to throw bait in the areas from 4 to 6 p.m. Day 1 of the contest kicked off at 7 a.m. this morning and most anglers interviewed said they immediately noticed the difference. "Last year, it took about 14 hours before we got our first bite," said Tim Runlow, of Sheboygan, Wisc., who was fishing with partner, Goran Batlak, also of Sheboygan. "This year, we had fish on with the first couple of minutes of casting," he said. The two Wisconsin anglers took the early lead, and by 1 p.m. had caught 22 carp, weighing a total of 343 pounds, two ounces. "We've been so busy, we haven't even had time to set up our tent yet," Runlow said. Right behind them were Robert Duprey, of Brattleboro, Mass, and teammate Dmitri Consolati, of Lee Mass., with 17 fish. "In the past, the fishing would just shut down after you threw bait," Duprey said. "This year, he landed nine fish in the first 1 1/2 hours. The catch-and-release competition is based on total weight and things change fast. On top of that, there's a long way to go of non-stop fishing before the competition ends at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. The biggest fish by late afternoon today was a 31-pound, 11-ounce lunker caught at 1 p.m. by Louie Kiah, of Ogdensburg, N.Y. He hooked the fish on a piece of corn, but credited his bait -- a mixture of strawberry Fruit Punch cereal, combined with fruity rice, cream corn and regular corn, and then dipped into a pineapple-scented solution in a five-gallon bucket. Kiah and his partner, Tom LaKemper, of Biddeford, Me., are ready for the 70-hour stretch. They spent $222 on groceries, including baby back ribs, ham steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs and chorizos. "We'll eat well and doze when we can," LaKemper said. Up the river, Batlak and Rumlow have a more austere meal plan. "We brought a lot of Johnsonville cheddar hotdogs and plenty of Frapppuccino," Rumlow said, noting he was determined to stay up the full 70 hours and concentrate on fishing. Last year's winners in the team competition, cousins Jason Long, of Batavia, and Dan Kelsey, of Attica, got off to a slow start today. They were skeptical of Rumlow's intentions, remarking how tired they were after staying up almost the full time during last year's 50-hour competition. "It's going to catch up with you," he said. "Somebody is going to end up in the hospital after this if they try that. It gets particularly rough during the night if you're catching a lot of fish." Following the team competition, a Big Fish competition is scheduled on Thursday and a Big Four (weight of four biggest fish) competition is set for Friday. Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of all three contests. Bernhardt said more than $25,000 in cash will be awarded this week. The tournament features all male anglers, except for one coed team -- Christine Stout and Justin Keaton, on Indianapolis, Indiana. At one point last year, they were in the lead, but faded toward the end. Stout last year painted her fingernails in a black and white zebra pattern. This year, her nails are a bright, tourquoise color. "That's because if I catch a big fish, it makes the picture look good," she said, smiling. For more on Wild Carp Week and updated results, see The Wild Carp Companies website, the "Wild Carp Week" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Tournament organizers are expecting record-breaking catches this year. The Wild Carp Week Triathlon kicks off at 7 a.m. Sunday along the Seneca River in an area stretching from Lions Park in Baldwinsville down to the Good Dog Park near Onondaga Lake. This is the seventh year in a row that big-time competitive, catch-and-release carp fishing has come to the river, which has earned the reputation of being one of the top carp fishing venues in the country. This year's competition has gotten smaller in some respects and larger in others. "There are so many variables in these carp fishing tournments," said tournament director Jason Bernhardt, of JGB Enterprises. "The idea this year is for the fishermen to have a more satisfying carp angling experience." Last year's winner of the 50-hour team challenge -- cousins Jason Long, of Batavia, and Dan Kelsey,of Attica -- are returning to fish again this year.Ellen Blalock | [email protected] This year's event, which includes a team competition, (it begins today and ends at 10 a.m. Wednesday), a Big Fish competition on Thursday and a Big Four (weight of four biggest fish) competition on Friday. The team competition is based on the total weight of fish caugh. Each competition will have individual prizes and a point system will determine the overall winner of all three contests. Bernhardt said more than $25,000 in cash will be awarded this week. A total of 31, two-person teams will be fishing, down from more than 40 last year. Anglers are coming from across the country, Canada and Europe to compete. The decision to limit entries, Berhardt said, was made to give anglers more space between their respective fishing areas, which are called "pegs." "This way they'll be less conflicts between neighboring teams," he said, adding the tournament roster was filled "10 days after registration opened at the end of last year." The past six years, the team competition lasted 50 straight hours. This year's decision to extend it to 75 hours will be more taxing on the anglers, but hopefully will produce more fish. During the past two years, the combined total catch by anglers has been around 1,300 pounds each year. "That's been the two lowest hauls on record," he said. The top local team in this year's competition is expected to be Kent Appleby and Bill Markle, of Pulaski.Ellen Blalock | [email protected] Bernhardt said that one of the big complaints from anglers has been that "lots of times with carp fishing Day 1 is slow, Day 2 you're just starting to catch up and by Day 3 things start getting hot and the tournament is over." In addition to increasing the fishing time, Bernhardt also allowed anglers from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday afternoon to throw bait to attract more carp beforehand at their assigned locations. "Hopefully, this year we'll get some record-breaking numbers as far as total haul," he said. Two-person teams are paying $700 to compete in the Team Challenge and individual anglers are paying $175 each to compete in the Big Carp and Big 4 challenges. Last year's winner of the 50-hour team challenge -- cousins Jason Long, of Batavia, and Dan Kelsey,of Attica -- are returning to fish again this year, he said. The top local team this year, he said, is expected to be Kent Appleby and Bill Markle, of Pulaski. Winners of the 75-hour team competition will get $3,000, with second place receiving $2,000 and third, $1,500. Winners of the Big Carp tournament will win $1,000 ($500 for the biggest mirror carp) and $2,000 for the Big Four. "If a team won all three competitions, they'll walk away with $6,500," Bernhardt said. The past two years, the tournament has featured a $10,000 celebrity carp challenge with local personalities (including this writer) competing against each other and donating their winnings to the charity of their choice. The event was eliminated this year and Bernhardt decided instead to donate the money to Team U.S. Carp Angling, which is participating in the World Championships this September in Portugal. "The U.S. team will have JGB Enterprises on their jerseys," Bernhardt said. "Our intent is to our name and location out there and into the European market of carp angling." For more on Wild Carp Week, see www.wildcarpcompanies.com, the "Wild CarpWeek" page on Facebook or email Bernhardt at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

One is scheduled for June 9, the other is July 18. Winner teams are guaranteed $2,000 in each tournament -- and more if registrations exceed a certain limit. Alicia Stevens is not your usual walleye fishing tournament director. She owns a hair replacement studio and doesn't fish that much. But she does know marketing. It's that skill, coupled with her business savy, that resulted in the successful formation of the Oneida Lake Team Walleye Trail last year. Last year's inaugural tournament on Oneida attracted 53, two-person teams. The winning team walked away with $3,100 in cash, with separate big fish prizes (first and second), earning $500 and $250, respectively. That's in addition to several dollars in equipment giveaways to anglers in "goodie bags," she said. "I can't tell the number of thank you letters I got from anglers afterward," she said. This year, she has two tournaments scheduled on Oneida Lake -- June 9 and July 14. Each competition will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 3 p.m., with the awards ceremony at Oneida Shores Park in Brewerton. Stevens said the word is spreading among anglers and she's already seeing registrations from Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut and Canada. Once again, the team entry fee is $150 and she's guaranteeing $2,000 for the winning team in each competition - more if registrations reach a certain level. Once again, Syracuse Realty is sponsoring the Big Fish Awards, giving away $500 and $250, respectively for the two biggest fish in each contest. Stevens also said the donations from bait companies, lure makers and others continue to come in each day. She said each angler competing in the first tournament this year should get a "goodie bag" worth $30-$40 of fishing and boating equipment. I'm getting so much stuff," she said. "Just the other day in the mail, I got a commitment for a bottle of fuel oil additive for every person fishing." Stevens, owner of of Genesis II Hair Replacmeent Studio in North Syracuse, said she got into the competitive fishing game because her boyfriend, Karl Elsner, of West Monroe, who fishes the professional walleye tour and is constantly away from home. She said she got tired of hearing from him and his friends how great of a walleye fishery Oneida Lake was, but there were no big team tournaments there. "I'm a marketing person. He's a fishing person," she said. "I told him, 'You let me do what I do, and I'll let you do what you do. Just go fish, honey.' " For more information or to register for either tournament, see oneidawalleyes.com, or "Oneida Lake Team Walleye Trail" on Facebook. Contact Stevens by email at [email protected]. Stevens efforts have resulted in one more positive effect -- in her personal life. "This past January, Karl and I got engaged," she said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It started as a quest to restore a tiny bit of ecological balance in Hawaii. It didn’t turn out that way. View the full article

A volunteer group called The A-Team is "the backbone of land management and upkeep at Baltimore Woods in Marcellus," according to center's land manager. Jeff Devine calls them "The A-Team." Devine, lands manager at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus, is referring to a group of more than a half dozen volunteers, all retired men, who are "the backbone of our land management and upkeep at The Woods. "We're building a new pavilion, including a new chimney and fireplace," he said. "They've moved around a couple of tons of cinder blocks and bags of cement, getting things ready. We have six miles of trails and they've been out this month doing trail work, removing falling trees and invasive plants, such as garlic mustard, buckthorn, bush honey suckle and Japanese barberry. "They also mow the grass around the nature center building - whatever needs to be done." Volunteers have been out all across Central New York this month, helping to spruce up local nature centers, parks and hiking trails. They're getting things ready for the summer season, which begins Memorial Day weekend. Tony Rodriquez, of Syracuse, is trails chairman for the Adirondack Mountain Club's Onondaga Chapter, which has 1,600 members. He said his club maintains some 90 miles of hiking trails. He oversees about 60 volunteer trail stewards from the club who are responsible for individual sections of the Finger Lakes Trail, the North Country Scenic Trails - in addition to a trail up and down West Mountain in the Pidgeon Lake Wilderness, near Racquette Lake. The work that needs to be done each spring, he said, is done by about 100 to 125 "real active" members. "The stewards check out each section of trail in the early spring, making sure things will be OK when people start hiking," he said, adding that the club is not working on any major trail projects this spring. "Most of the work is trees that have come down over the winter that have to be removed," he said. Jim Semar, park manager at Green Lakes State Park, said 40-50 volunteers showed up May 4 to participate in the statewide "I Love My Parks Day." "They were raking, cleaning out areas of leaves, along with painting and staining guide posts around the park," he said. A few days before, Semar added, flowers were planted around the park office and the golf course club house by a group of volunteers from Kemper Insurance. Over at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah, volunteers this month have been out pulling garlic mustard at Howland's Island, in addition to planting trees, according to Frank Moses, the center's director. In addition, late last month more than 50 volunteers, partly organized by Montezuma Audubon, were on the shore of Onondaga Lake - an important and vibrant birding area -- helping to plant more than 200 native plants and trees. Volunteers Kevin Quinn, in foreground, and Tim Dudley work on the fireplace at the pavilion at Baltimore Woods. Dick Blume | [email protected] Wednesday morning, five members of the A-Team were out at Baltimore Woods repairing some drainage along the Valley Trai, working on the fireplace in the pavilion and doing "a lot of sprucing up" (mowing grass, picking up and sweeping the bricks, etc.) around the main building in preparation for this weekend's plant sale, an annual fundraiser. Harold Peachey, 65, of Onondaga, has been on The A-Team for about five years. "Volunteerism is its own reward," he said. "It gives you a nice opportunity to have social interaction with people who you might have similar thoughts and feelings about things with, and it also gives you a sense of community and of giving back." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We just thought fisherman or any other recreational boaters should know what these things are next time they see one," said a U.S.Geological Survey official.. An unsuspecting Lake Ontario boater apparently cut the rope holding a pricey, floating research buoy to the bottom of the lake earlier this month. The buoy, laden with sensory equipment, drifted into the Oswego Harbor area last week with its sensors unharmed, according to an official from the U.S. Geological Survey office in Oswego. "It could possibly have been an angler who got his down rigger or planer board snagged on it and didn't know what it was," said said Brian Lantry, a fisheries biologist and station supervisor at the U.S. Geological Survey office. "We got a call this week from the Coast Guard that the buoy had been spotted at the opening of the harbor. We went out and sure enough it was ours. Fortunately, all the sensors were still attached." Lantry said the rope attached to the buoy had "a clean cut," like it had been done with a knife about five feet below the surface. The buoy had originally been in 600 feet of water, about five miles off shore. The buoy was one of five placed at varying depths from 15 to 600 feet in the lake, beginning just west of Oswego Harbor. They're a part of an international joint U.S./Canadian study done every five years. The sensors on the buoys measure the light, temperature and the oxygen levels at various levels in the lake. Those parameters are being studied, Lantry explained, to determine the level of algae production in the lake, which then gives an indication of the level of zooplankton (tiny animals) that feed on the algae. Small fish in turn feed on the zooplankton. "It helps us study the bottom of the food chain, which then helps give us an indication of the health of the overall fishery," he said. Lantry said the buoy resembles a 10-foot long, white PVC pipe with a light on top and an orange diamond sticker on its side. It sticks about four to six feet out of the water. The line attached to the cinder blocks on the bottom of the lake are slack, enabling it to better stay in place during high winds and waves. Depending on the number of sensor, the buoys cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. "We put it back in place this week," Lantry said. "We just thought fishermen or any other recreational boaters would like to know what these things are next time they see one. They're not marking any structure or rocks underneath, where there might be fish. It's just a research buoy." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Walleye are being taken in 12 to 20 feet of water in Oneida Lake with jigs tipped with night crawlers working well. CNY FISHING REPORT INLAND TROUT STREAMS: Many sections of area streams and lakes have been stocked as of May 10. They include Cayuga County: North Brook, Owasco Inlet, Salmon Creek and Fall Creek; Cortland County: Otselic River; Cortland County: Little York Lake, Merrill Creek, East Br. Tioughnioga River, West Br. Tioughnioga River, Casterline Pond and the Otselic River; Madison County: Upper Lelands Pond, Stonemill Brook, Beaver Creek, Canastota Creek, Limestone Creek, Payne Brook, Chittenango Creek, Canaseraga Creek, Chenango River, Cowaselon Creek, Old Chenango Canal, Oneida Creek, Sangerfield River, and the Otselic River; Onondaga County: Nine Mile Creek, Onondaga Creek; West Br. Onondaga Creek, Tannery Creek, Spafford Brook, Furnace Brook, Fabius Brook, Limestone Creek, West Br. Limestone Creek, Geddes Brook, Carpenters Brook, Butternut Creek, and Skaneateles Creek. (Hotline number is (315) 689-0003); Oswego County: Black Creek, North Br. Salmon River, Rice Creek, Salmon River and West Br. Fish Creek; Tompkins County: Enfield Creek, Virgil Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Salmon Creek, Fall Creek and Sixmile Creek and Cayuga Lake. LAKE ONTARIO Brown trout are hitting on stickbaits and small spoons fished in shallow water near shore during the early morning. As it gets brighter, moving to deeper water has been helping to extend the bite. Natural colors like black and silver, blue and silver and goby imitating have been working well. Lake trout fishing has been good in 100 to 200 feet of water and a few salmon are being caught as well. SALMON RIVER There are still a few drop-backs being caught throughout the river. A drop-back is a steelhead that has finished spawning and is on its way back to the lake. These fish are often very aggressive (hungry) after the rigors of spawning and are more willing to bite. With the lower water and bright conditions fishing early or late in the day, or in the deeper pools is also helping. Good baits are streamers like wooly buggers, night crawlers, pink Powerbait trout worms and egg sacs. OSWEGO RIVER Walleye are being taken in the river on large stickbaits or night crawlers. The trout bite is winding down. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye are being taken in 12 to 20 feet of water with jigs tipped with night crawlers working well. Walleye are scattered this time of year, so if not catching any keep searching deeper or shallower water. There were walleye still being caught in spawning tributaries last weekend. Shore anglers are catching bullheads around the lake. Anglers getting out in boats are catching some black crappie and bullheads in Big Bay. (Just a reminder that you cannot fish for lake sturgeon,as they are on the threatened fishes list. If you accidentally hook one please do not fight it and release it quickly.) CAYUGA LAKE Anglers trolling stickbaits or spoons from the surface down to about 30 feet are still catching brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Trolling in 60 to 120 feet of water with spoons or flasher and flies, fished off downriggers or Dipsey divers is working for lake trout. SENECA LAKE Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are hitting on spoons and stickbaits trolled near the surface down to 20 feet below the surface. Lake trout are hitting spoons and flasher and flies fished 60 to 150 feet down. Some perch are starting to show up in shallow water bays throughout the lake. OWASCO LAKE Anglers getting out on boats at the north end are continuing to catch yellow perch and some bullhead are being taken on the south end. . Brown trout are also being caught. OTISCO LAKE Tiger musky fishing has been good for anglers fishing for them. Remember tiger musky must be 36" to be legal on Otisco Lake. Anglers taking advantage of the catch and release bass season are getting smallmouth bass. Black crappie are being caught on minnows in the north end. SKANEATELES LAKE Perch are being found in 15 to 25 feet. A few lake trout and rainbow trout are also being taken in the same depth range. Some smallmouth bass are being taken by anglers taking advantage of the catch and release season. SANDY POND: Anglers are getting some black crappie, bluegills and yellow perch. Small minnows, worms and spikes are good bait choices. Bullheads and crappie are being taken along the shoreline on minnows. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Bullhead fishing lately has been hit or miss because of the colder weather. Anglers report perch and pike fishing has picked up. SODUS BAY Yellow perch fishing continues to be slow with anglers sorting through a lot of small perch to get some larger fish. Anglers fishing by the bridge on the south end are getting some bluegills, crappies, and bullheads. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Bullheads are being taken by shore anglers fishing off the Kiebel Road side. Channel catfish are also being caught on the north end. No reports on the walleye fishing. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Spring is back in Central New York, and the outdoors events are beginning to ramp up. OK, we had a bit of a cold snap Monday. By Tuesday, everything was fine. Spring is back in Central New York, and the outdoors events are beginning to ramp up. With Memorial Day weekend a little more than a week away, here's what I'm working on this week: - Volunteers sprucing up local hiking trails, nature centers and hiking trails. - The upcoming Wild Carp Week Triathlon, with the featured event kicking off Saturday evening with anglers being allowed to bait their fishing areas. They'll start fishing Sunda morning and stick with it for -- get this -- 75 straight hours! - The Hobie Cat Madcatter Fleet 204 Sailing Regatta on Oneida Lake - A report that Canadian officials plan to apply lampricide to a tributary on Oneida Lake. - A damaged research buoy on Lake Ontario that an angler appearently cut and that drifted to shore. - When's the best weekend (weatherwise) to take a vacation in Central New York. (Meteorologist Dave Eichorn is helping me with this one) - Free DEC family fishing clinics (one is set for this weekend at the South Otselic Fish Hatchery), and another next month at Carpenter's Brook. Two new features: 1). "Keeping Watch" a weekly or bi-weekly report from the Region 7 DEC office noting the fional dispositions of recent tickets issued by local conservation officers. Only ones where the defendant has pleaded guilty or is found guilty will be listed. 2). "Ask the Outdoors Guy" a weekly posting noting a question or questions from readers about the outdoors. If I can't provide an answer, I'll find someone who will. Send your questions to [email protected]. Other upcoming "stuff": - A new series a "HIke or Kayak/Canoe trip of the Week" sort of thing. - Profiles on 3-4 local trout streams - Continuing last year's series "Shoreline Hot Spots," noting good areas to fish from shore on local lakes and rivers if you don't have a boat. - The great blue heron rookery up at the Sterling Nature Center. 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