HuntingNY-News

She caught it on a 1/2-ounce white marabou jig. Submitted photo Michelle Bivens, of Oswego, caught this nice brown on the Oswego River on Jan. 12 using a 1/2 ounce white marabou jig in about 8 feet of water underneath a stationary float. Send photos for "Catch (Trophy) of the Week" or wildlife photos to [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I need a little help. Where in Syracuse are there the biggest concentration of crows during the early morning and evening hours? Send your comments to [email protected] A snowboarder does his thing at Greek Peak, which does not allow skiers and snowboarders to listen to music with earphones on while going down the slopes. Stephen Cannerelli/The Post-Standard This is what's appearing this week in the outdoors coverage of The Post-Standard. FRIDAY Main story: Intern Sarah Taddeo writes about the growing trend of skiers and snowboarders doing their thing while listening to music on their earphones. Greek bans the practice, but Song, Toggenburg and Labrador mountains allow it. Column: The DEC has scheduled two meetings in March to discuss the status of fisheries in four eastern Finger Lakes (Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco and Cayuga). SUNDAY Main story: I interview the winner of the duck and goose calling competition at last week's New York's Sportsman's Expo. Because of his victory, the winner of the duck calling competition has qualified for the world championships to held later this year in Arkansas. Column: Still weighing my options. COMING UP: - I write about ice fishing for tiger muskie on Otisco Lake. - We give an update on Elaine Supp, a competitive boardercrosser. - Tying trout flies during the winter. - We try and get to the bottom of that frozen carcass story on Oneida Lake. Is it a racoon -- or what? - Looking to speak to some experienced winter campers. - Would like to interview an expert and try my hand at building an igloo.. and spending the night in one. Can anybody help me with this? - Burning snowmobile Issues or suggestions about someone I should write a profile story on from the CNY snowmobile scene. - Looking to do a story on rabbit hunting. Anyone having any luck out there? strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong> 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 waterways to be discussed will include Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco lakes., Fishery biologists from the state Department of Environmental’s Region 7 office will be holding two meetings next month to discuss the current status of the fisheries in four eastern Finger Lakes. The waterways to be discussed will include Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco lakes, according to Emily DeSantis, director of communications for the DEC’s public relations office in Albany. Responding to written questions I sent Monday, DeSantis said the first meeting will be held March 18 at the Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. The second meeting will be held March 20 at the Groton High School Auditorium. “The DEC will provide information for future management activities, discuss the Angler Diary Program we administer on the Finger Lakes and answer questions from those in attendance,” she said. I asked DeSantis if interested persons could ask questions ahead of time, or make suggestions for other topics that should be covered. “Sportsmen and women will have the opportunity to ask questions at the meetings,” she said. I asked if members of the public and media will be allowed to talk to speakers apart from their presentations for followup questions. “Yes, you will be able to ask DEC staff follow-up questions on the topics being presented,” she said. In a followup email sent Tuesday morning to DeSantis, I asked if I would be allowed to contact those same DEC staff members afterward concerning topics discussed at the meeting for future columns or stories. As of late Wednesday, I had not received an answer to that question. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER The bite continues to be good for steelhead, particularly in the upper river above Pineville. The river level at mid-week was low, but melting run-off should increase the water flow. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms, waxworms and stonefly... CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER The bite continues to be good for steelhead, particularly in the upper river above Pineville. The river level at mid-week was low, but melting run-off should increase the water flow. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms, waxworms and stonefly patterns. OSWEGO RIVER Ice broke free at mid-week behind the motels downtown, allowing anglers to finally wet their lines. The water level was low and clear early in the week, but the flow should increase with the melting snow. Anglers are using a variety of lures/baits including white bucktails, white jigs and egg sacs, along with plastic baits such as Sassy Shads (3 to 4 inches). ONEIDA LAKE Many anglers were out over the weekend. Lots of walleye caught, particularly on the east end. By mid-week, the fishing had slowed considerably because of the warm weather. Anglers have their fingers crossed that lower temperatures later this week will freeze things back up for the weekend. SENECA LAKE A lot of perch continue to be caught off the public pier in Watkins Glen. Anglers are using perch minnows, wax worms. They’re also getting a few rainbows using eggs and pike minnows off the rock wall, near the pier. SKANEATELES LAKE Ice was fishable this weekend at both the northern and southern ends. By mid-week, anglers were taking a break, with only a few trying the southern end. A few days of cold weather could thicken the ice back up by the weekend. CAYUGA LAKE Ice was fishable last weekend and earlier in the week. The mid-week warm weather has slowed, but hasn’t deterred anglers. Lots of perch being caught on fathead minnows. OWASCO LAKE Anglers were fishing earlier in the week at the southern end. No reports on ice thickness. CAZENOVIA LAKE Anglers were out over the weekend and lots of crappie and bluegills were caught, particularly on the north end. The mid-week thaw has slowed things down. Colder temperatures at the end of this week should revive things. OTISCO LAKE Anglers were out in hordes this past weekend and continuing to get out this week, despite the warm weather. Some anglers landed tiger muskies – including one that measured 41 inches, according to one source. SODUS BAY Anglers were out this past weekend and up through Tuesday. The warm weather has caused many to pause. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Despite warm weather at mid-week, anglers were getting out. Lake the Isles and Eel Bay still had 7-8 inches of ice. Lots of perch being caught, mainly on grubs and fathead minnows. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Lots of anglers out over the weekend. No reports on status of ice at mid-week. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Greek Peak bans skiers and snowboarders from listening to music on the slopes. There's no restrictions at Song, Labrador and Toggenburg mountains. Meanwhile, five skiers/boarders shared their playlists. Check it out. Labrador snowboard instructor Dennis Duvall said headphones are popular with his students and can make the experience of skiing or snowboarding a better one as long as the wearers are careful. . Dick Blume/The Post-Standard Syracuse, N.Y.—In a time where new technology is constantly showing up, every skier or snowboarder seen slicing through the snow at your local ski slope may not be simply enjoying the scenery. Skiers and boarders of all ages can be seen wearing some sorts of earphones inside the ski lodge at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, whether it's small earbuds protruding from their jackets or large headphones wedged over their winter hats. "People have wanted to listen to music on the slopes for a while," said Rick Bunnell, Labrador's director of marketing and snow sports. Listening to music back in the days of Walkmans was a hassle, Bunnell said. "When they came out with the first Iphone and the smaller devices that they can use...they're able to listen to whatever they want to listen to," he said. Iphones and other music-playing devices can hold thousands of songs at a time, but they are small enough to stow in a spare pocket, he said. With the ease and entertainment of playing music on the slopes, people can forget that headphones block out surrounding noise, which can be dangerous on a crowded ski hill. However, officials from four local slopes interviewed recently said that they knew of no accidents that have happened this year as a result of a skier or snowboarder wearing earphones. Because of the potential safety hazard, Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland does not allow headphones on its trails, said owner Peter Harris. All other ski mountains in the greater Syracuse area—Labrador, Song and Toggenburg mountains—allow their use. Labrador snowboard instructor Dennis Duvall said headphones are popular with his students and can make the experience of skiing or snowboarding a better one as long as the wearers are careful. "I see kids wearing headphones every day," Duvall said. What's his policy on his students wearing headphones while he's teaching them? "I at least ask them to only wear one earbud, so that they can hear me, because we just need to be aware of what's going on around us," Duvall said. "We have five senses, so we should use them all." That's just part of being on a ski mountain, said skier Patrick Walsh, 24, of Syracuse, N.Y. "I always keep my head on a swivel. You should do that whenever you're up there, headphones or not," he said. Rachel Fisher, 16, of Central Square, N.Y., said she keeps her music at a low volume. "I have mine really quiet," Fisher said. "If you can't hear other people around, that's bad." Jacob Fati, 16, of Cato, a snowboarder and headphone-wearer, said the noise level doesn't make a big difference. "When you're out there you can't hear the people around you anyways, because you're going and you make noise," Foti said. Having music on actually helps concentration when there's others tearing through the snow around you, said Jessica McConnell, 18, of Central Square.. "It helps me focus on what I'm doing by blocking out other sounds around me," she said. But if there's a lot of people on the hill, she won't put music in at all for safety reasons, she said. Although Labrador Mountain does not have a policy against earphones, the safety of wearing them depends on the situation, Bunnell said. "Do I think it's safe? Yes and no," Bunnell said. "Kids are listening and sometimes they lack awareness.It's like using your phone and driving. You're not supposed to, but everybody does." Labrador has a Responsibility Code, which is a list of slope rules affixed to all season passes at Labrador. The second rule on the list is, "People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them." As long as skiers and snowboarders follow that code, headphones shouldn't pose a safety hazard, Duvall said. "We all enjoy listening to music," he said, "and if we can do it while making turns, it's that much better." THOSE INTERVIEWED AND THEIR PLAYLISTS: Jacob Foti Dylan Brann Patrick Walsh Jessica McConnell Rachel Fisher View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The following is a press release: The Central New York Community Foundation has accepted Baltimore Woods into its Performance Management Learning Community and provided $15,000 in funding to further develop Baltimore Woods’ evaluation process for its award-winning Nature in the City program. Nature in the City is Baltimore Woods Nature Center’s K-6 science education program that links twelve Syracuse and... The following is a press release: The Central New York Community Foundation has accepted Baltimore Woods into its Performance Management Learning Community and provided $15,000 in funding to further develop Baltimore Woods’ evaluation process for its award-winning Nature in the City program. Nature in the City is Baltimore Woods Nature Center’s K-6 science education program that links twelve Syracuse and Auburn city schools with local parks and green spaces, connecting children to science using their own neighborhoods. Children learn by doing, from collecting samples of invertebrates from city streams, to observing birds in parks within walking distance of schools. The grant will allow Baltimore Woods to collect more robust data about how students increase their understanding of key science benchmarks as a result of Nature in the City lessons.“Our data for the 2011/12 school year, for example, indicates that 3rd grade students’ knowledge of green infrastructure increased by 35 percent on average in seven Syracuse schools. This is terrific news, but our testing protocols did not result in usable data from the more disadvantaged schools we reach, and we are committed to continuous improvement in ALL schools we serve," said Patty Weisse, Baltimore Woods’ executive director. Weiss added, "With this support from the Central New York Community Foundation, a more comprehensive understanding of our impact should now be possible." Nature in the City is supported through funding from the Syracuse City School District, Onondaga County’s Save the Rain Program, Constellation Energy, Dominion Transmission, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, The Gifford Foundation, the Lockheed Martin Employee Federated Fund, Lockheed Martin MS2, The Maxwell School’s Council of Young Philanthropists, National Grid, O’Brien and Gere, SRC, Inc. and Time Warner. Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY 13108 Hours: Interpretive Center is open M-F 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, closed Sundays. The hiking trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Visit the nature center's website for more information. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Food and beverage will be available. Winners will get cash prizes. Door prizes will also be handed out. The Sandy Pond Sportsman's Association Clubhouse at Sandy Pond is holding a two-day ice fishing tournament this weekend (Feb. 2,3). Registration begins at 6 a.m. both days. Participants have to register both days but only pay one entry fee ($6 for adults; $4 for children). Food and beverage will be available. Winners will get cash prizes. Door prizes will also be handed out. The club is located off County Route 15. For more information, call 387-5339. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The two bought $800 crossbows last year and are frustrated that they're currently illegal to hunt with in New York. "Maybe if we pressure them (lawmakers), maybe they'll pass something," one of the hunters said. I met Chuck Eastwood, 78, and Charles Abulencia, 73, two frustrated crossbow owners Sunday at the New York Sportsman's Expo at the state fairgrounds. Both are former chiefs of the Cicero Volunteer Fire Department and both like to hunt. They told me that last year they both bought $800 crossbows from Abulencia's son, who co-owns Cuzzin's Archery. They said they'd like to try them out in this state, but since an extension to last year's law allowing crossbows wasn't extended past Dec. 31, the two hunting made plans next fall to go to Ohio to hunt whitetail deer with their bows. Eastwood said he still hunts with a regular bow, but Abulencia said he's dealing with two torn rotator cuffs. "Maybe if we pressure them (state lawmakers), maybe they'll pass something," Abulencia said. "I hope they do." Eastwood said he located an outfitter in Ohio who has a farm and leases several adjacent properties. The two friends, who've been hunting together for 40 years, have scheduled a five-day trip for Oct. 20-24 (during New York's bow hunting season) to hunt deer in Ohio with a crossbow. "It's in Tippecano, Ohio and according to the computer it's 431 miles away and it should take 6 hours and 51 minutes to get there," Eastwood said. "The outfitter said that we should shoot as least an 8-point buck or bigger. They have feeders, crops planted for them. It's all free-range, no fences. He said hunters usually have about a 40 percent success ratio." Eastwood said the trip will cost them $1,800 each, plus license fees ($125 hunting and additional $25 buck tag). "I told the outfitter I didn't care. I just wanted to see some deer," Eastwood said.. , Eastwood said he still hunts with a bow, but Abulencia said he's dealing with two torn rotator cuffs, adding that he can't bowhunting now. Bought crossbow, $800.. We kind of anticitped.. it would be OK this year in New York.. keeping our fingers crossed. Torn rotator cuff..he coubht his first.. I still hunted last fall with a bow..We've hunted deer together for 40 years.. shotughun rifle, bow,.. carabou.. Little tougher.. go to gym.. 3 times a week trying to stay in shape.. use a climbing tree stand.. Tippecanoe, Ohio. outfitter has his farm and other farms under lease.. 1,500 acres. "It's in Tippecano, Ohio and according to the computer it's 431 miles away and should take 6 hours and 51 minutes to get there," Eastwood said. "The outfitter said that we should shoot as least an 8-point buck or bigger. They have feeders, crops planted for them. It's all free-range, no fences. He said hunters usually have about a 40 percent success ratio." Eastwood said the trip will cost them $1,800 each, plus gas and license fees ($125 hunting and additional $25 buck tag). 5 day hunt.. Oct. 20-25..whitetail.. He asked that you shoot at least 8 point or bigger.. feeders. crops planted for them..all free-range, no fence.. 40 percent success ratio. "I told the outfitter I didn't care. I just wanted to see some deer. $1,800 each.. everything.. exc3ept licnes.. $125.. and buck tag for $25.. We hunt down to Eirieville, Cazenovia.. don't see.. no sign.. Letchworth State Park.. three-points on a side.. downhill. tow bears after election day.. 10 a.m. made my day. Both said it's too bad that crossbows are currently illegal to hunt with in this state, considering it's OK in neighboring states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania. "I talked with one of the outfitters from North Carolina," Eastwood said. Ciuceroe, volunteer department.. both past chiefs.. Pa.. OK in Pa... brothre goes to illionois.. crossbows out there.. Noreth Carolina.. talked to outfittrer. in Raleigh.. can hunt with whatever down here. Told my outfitter I jsut want to see some deer. Charlie...73, Cicero..both shoulders.. Charlie mentioned last year.. had to have knee replaced. didn't go.. finally said. I think we'll go.. looked up online.. Gn.. see a couple of doe. that was about it.. Maybe if we pressure them, maybe they'll pass something.. I hope they do, View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was 24 inches long and weighed about 6 pounds. - Submitted photo Don Cotton, of Lakeport, holds up a nice, 24-inch, 6-pound walleye he caught this weekend through the ice on Oneida Lake. He caught it on a jig and wrap lure tipped with a minnow. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Berger said this afternoon he's down on business in Pennsylvania and heard on the radio the potential loss due to the cancellation of the Harrisburg show could approach $75 million. Unable to find an acceptable side trip, members of the Chittenango Rod and Gun Club have decided to refund money to those signed up to go on a Feb. 13 charter bus trip that was originally slated to go to the Harrisburg, Pa outdoors show. This would have been the third time the club has sponsored such a trip, however the show was cancelled last week after a number of outfitters pulled out after the show's organizers announced the banning of assault-like firearms for sale, along with the sale of high capacity magazines to the Sandy Creek, Conn. killings. Mark Berger, chairman of the board for the Chittenango Rod and Gun Club, said as recently as this morning he and others were considering going through with the trip since they had a deposit on a bus. An alternative, he said, was a day trip to the Cabelas store within 45 minutes of Harrisburg. "We couldn't generate enough interest for a Cabelas trip. So we've decided to cancel it . We have six months for our deposit on the bus and we're going to consider other trips," he said. Berger said this afternoon he's down on business in Pennsylvania and heard on the radio the potential loss due to the cancellation of the Harrisburg show could approach $75 million. Berger said the club will be contacting each person individually to arrange a refund. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

State regulations to expand the special snow goose harvest program in New York have been amended to allow hunters to take snow geese during a special harvest program from now through April 15 in upstate New York., The following is a DEC press release: State regulations to expand the special snow goose harvest program in New York have been amended to allow hunters to take snow geese during a special harvest program from now through April 15 in upstate New York, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. This special harvest is in addition to the regular hunting season which runs from October 1 through January 15. Previously, the special season would not have opened until March 11. DEC filed a Notice of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rule Making with the Department of State on January 23, 2013, and the changes took effect immediately. "Extending the snow geese season is just one more way Governor Cuomo and DEC are working to expand opportunities for New York's sportsmen and women," DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. "We encourage the hunting community to take full advantage of this opportunity." The expanded special season will increase hunter opportunity to harvest snow geese throughout the winter and early spring, when they are most abundant in New York. The special season was established in 2008 to help reduce environmental damage caused by the overabundance of snow geese in eastern North America. Snow geese are an arctic breeding goose species that reached record high population levels in North America in recent years - from approximately 50,000 birds in the 1960s to more than one million birds in recent years. Wildlife agencies, ecologists and environmental organizations have expressed concern about the impacts that overabundant snow geese are having on arctic ecosystems, coastal wetlands and agricultural crops. In response to those concerns, federal hunting regulations were liberalized in 2008, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) adopted a conservation order allowing states in the Atlantic Flyway to implement special snow goose harvest programs in addition to its regular hunting seasons. Based on guidance from USFWS, DEC decided to have one continuous season this year. The special season includes a bag limit of 25 snow geese per day. Hunters are also allowed to use electronic calls and unplugged guns, shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, when no co-occurring open season exists for other migratory waterfowl. The special program does not include Long Island because relatively few snow geese occur in that region of the state during spring. For more information about hunting snow geese or other migratory game birds in New York, visit the DEC website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Brian Hammond is one of those guys who rarely gets skunked when ice fishing. "I use lures that glow," he said. Brian Hammond shows some of his glowing lures that he uses to catch perch. David Lassman/The Post-Standard Brian Hammond is one of those guys who rarely gets skunked when ice fishing. “Because I catch fish very well, other anglers think I must have something up my sleeve,” he said, smiling. A key to his success is something most ice anglers rarely think about. “I use lures that glow,” he said. Hammond said glowing lures are particularly effective during early morning or evening, or when there’s thick ice with snow on top. They’re painted with fluorescent paint and he gets them glowing by quickly bathing them in light from a camera flash. “When I used my underwater camera, I noticed that there’s extremely low visibility during those times and the fish can’t see very far. I found out when I enhanced the color of the lure and its visibility by having it glow, the fish immediately became attracted to it,” he said. Hammond, 50, of Cicero, lives on the shore of Oneida Lake near Williams Beach. During the warm months, he fishes competitively in walleye tournaments. Come winter, he takes a break and focuses on catching perch though the ice. Through his teens and early adulthood, Hammond said he ice fished on Oneida Lake with tip-ups and live bait. Today, it’s a different game with his Lowrance fish finder and his glowing lures. He likes to move around a lot more on the ice, he said, drilling numerous holes and checking them out with his fish finder before settling in. Hammond often attaches a fluorescent plastic bait to his lures to increase their attractiveness. David Lassman/The Post-Standard “I use lures that have a high glow, plus ones that have scent ... the result is high productivity,” he said. Hammond said he’s been ice fishing with glowing lures for about 10 years. There’s a number of high quality ones on the market, he said, but he often prefers to use ones that are hand-painted by a friend. He said the lures in the stores cost about $2 each. He noted they have varying shelf lives as far as their glowing ability, and that some are not painted with fluorescent paint on all sides. “The reason it’s important to have the fluorescent paint all around the lure is because if you only paint one side, you limit yourself as far as flexibility. You want the fish to see it from all directions,” he said. Hammond tests his lures in the darkness of the bathroom at his house before going out on the ice, he said. “I shut the door, turn off the lights and see how well (and long) they glow,” he said. While on the ice, he flashes his lures in his ice shanty. He said most keep their glow for about 10 minutes. When the glow is gone, he reels them in and gives them another flash. “I recommend using a camera flash, or a bright flashlight,” he said, adding it’s a good idea to have your light attached to a lanyard around your neck “so it’s readily accessible and you don’t go dropping your light in your hole in the ice.” Hammond said the lures he uses represent “different aspects of the bait column,” including small maggots, flies, worms and small perch fry. He said he’s found the most effective lures are the ones that glow with a green or blue hue, and have small orange dots. To supplement his lures, he often attaches small plastic baits that also glow. He said he prefers Makiplastic baits — specifically those impregnated with flecks of fluorescent paint and scented with anise. If the perch continue to be lethargic, Hammond said, he may add live bait to his lure such as a maggot, a mousie or a fathead minnow. The important thing, he stressed, is to be flexible and willing to change things when the bite is slow. “Because a lure worked yesterday, doesn’t mean it’ll work today,” he said. “If they’re not biting, vary the size, the color, the body shape of the lure until you find something that works. You may get into the same school of fish and they have a tendency to remember if they see the same thing time and time again. They get used to it. If it’s not different, they’re not going to challenge or eat it.” Hammond said his biggest Oneida Lake perch to date is a 14-incher. “But I believe there are plenty more like that — and even bigger ones out there right now,” he said, noting the lake’s perch population is up because of the abundance of food and that less were caught last winter because of the lack of ice from the unusually warm winter. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

With the right and privilege of gun ownership, we need to practice the safe and responsible storage of firearms on a daily basis. By Tom Adessa It is now a foregone conclusion that New York State has the toughest anti-gun laws in the nation. One section of the new law addresses “safe gun storage” under very specific circumstances. But, with the right and privilege of gun ownership, we need to practice the safe and responsible storage of firearms on a daily basis. Here are three levels of storage that should cover all circumstances: Level One: A non-locking trigger guard device that encompasses the trigger and guard rendering the firearm inoperative. It’s tightened in place like a clamshell, either plastic or metal. Many firearms are shipped with these, but, this could be disabled with some work and not suitable where children are around. Children are curious and very inventive in snooping around where firearms are concerned. Level Two: A keyed, cable lock that passes a cable from the lock, through the chamber, action, barrel, etc, and back to the lock; disabling the firing process. This is a very good system and would take a great deal of work to disable. Always keep the key out of sight and mind. This lock is best suited for revolvers, semi-auto pistols and single shot pistols. Level Three: A gun safe is the best overall storage for security and even the longevity for your firearms. Most safes on the market have storage for long guns and handguns. There are many models on the market in all prices ranges and options to preserve the safety and quality of your firearms. Some have lights and humidity controls. All are best bolted to the floor or wall to further prevent theft. If you are going to purchase a safe, don’t skimp, get the best you can afford. A keyed or combo lock model are equally good. As always, store the ammo and firearms separate from one another. Finally, take the time to educate your children about the dangers of firearms and the safe handling of them. As sportsman, hunters, target shooters and collectors, we need to project as positive an image about firearms as possible. And most importantly, we need to do it as safely as possible. (Tom Adessa, a veteran hunter and competive pistol shooter, lives in Auburn.) View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Lance Robson, president of the state’s Fish and Wildlife Management Board, noted Gov. Cuomo ran for office promising open and transparent state government. The gag order takes things the opposite way, he said. A lot of press and media coverage has been given lately to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget and the state’s new gun control laws. Little has been given to another pressing matter — one that drastically affects journalists and outdoor sportsmen and women alike. I’m talking about Gov. Cuomo’s gag order on the state Department of Environmental Conservation. It bans DEC staffers from talking directly to members of the media, unless they’ve been given prior approval by the department’s public relations officials, whose actions are being monitored closely by the governor’s staff. The system now in place requires journalists to submit most questions of DEC staff members in writing to public relations staff, which then contact “the appropriate” DEC staff member(s). A written response is then prepared, and then scrubbed up by the DEC public relations staff for release. Any follow-up questions require the same process. As for drafting a story, I’ve been told in many cases to quote the public relations person, rather than the DEC expert he or she interviewed. Sometimes the answers are given to me within a day. Often it takes several days — and occasionally not at all. I don’t fault the DEC’s public relations staff. They appear to be working hard and try to be responsive. In at least 12 occasions since this past October, though, the answers have come back after my deadline or not at all. The policy of prior approval also applies to any videotaping involving DEC staff or programs. Why should the average sportsman/taxpayer be concerned? As a board member of the New York State Outdoors Writers Association, I know this issue has put a damper on full and honest coverage of the DEC by other outdoors writers across the state. Lance Robson, president of the state’s Fish and Wildlife Management Board, an advisory panel to the DEC on fish and wildlife matters, noted the governor’s gag order ranks among the top issues facing the state’s outdoors sportsmen. “Historically, the DEC is one of the few state agencies in which staff have been able to talk openly and freely about fish and wildlife rules and matters,” the Sennett resident said. “The fact is, sportsmen (through their licensing fees) are paying the majority of the department’s costs for its field staff, and they deserve to have all their questions answered. That’s not happening.” Robson noted Cuomo ran for office promising open and transparent state government. The gag order takes things the opposite way, he said. Charlie Pace, of Cazenovia, sits on the state’s Conservation Fund Advisory Board, which also advises the DEC and helps oversee the department’s handling of the multi-million state conservation fund, which gets its money from hunting, fishing and trapping fees paid by sportsmen. Pace noted the DEC gets blamed for a lot of stuff, and emphasized, like Robson, that this press policy is not their doing. Pace praised the level of competency and years of experience of the Region 7 staff in Cortland, ranking them as among the best, if not the best in the state. Both he and Robson noted that the fact that DEC experts can’t be trusted to talk to the media after years of doing so “is crushing their morale.” The same goes for other DEC staff across the state, Pace and Robson said. More importantly, Pace said, the ultimate message coming out is not meeting the needs of sportsmen and taxpayers. The message, more often than not, he said, must withstand the litmus test of “What would the governor want to read?” Jason Kemper, chairman of the board Pace sits on, earlier this month sent a letter of protest to DEC Commissioner Joe Martens, noting that the DEC is considering a modification of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and their fee structure — and that the board has been unable to get any information from DEC staffers on this. Clearly, journalists aren’t the only ones being left out in the cold by this governor. I can understand a hesitance about allowing all DEC staffers to talk freely about fracking, or about sensitive personnel, legal and land purchase issues. I’m talking about reporting on fish and wildlife issues that often can be handled by a brief call to the DEC’s local fish and wildlife biologists. They’re the experts, the ones who know the answers or who can steer me in the right direction if I’m off course, saving everybody tons of time. Recent stories that required the submittal of written questions include the Salmon River hatchery’s annual fall egg collection, the proposed Otisco Lake boat launch, the low-water level of tributaries on Cayuga Lake and its impact on fishing, cougars in the Adirondacks — or whether a deer is actually dead when it’s eyes are closed. In the case of the dead deer item, I ended up calling a retired DEC wildlife biologist now living in Florida to make the deadline for my column. Recently, a reader wanted to know if a carcass he found near his Oneida Lake home was a badger, which are not native to this area. He emailed me four pictures, including one with a paw sticking out of the ice. Prior to the Cuomo gag order, I could get an answer from a DEC wildlife biologist within minutes. I filed a written request and forwarded the photos to a local DEC public relations staffer. I got an answer 24 hours later. “It’s a raccoon,” she emailed me back. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Long-term declining participation in shooting sports has prompted gun makers and sellers to pour millions into a campaign to get firearms into the hands of children. View the full article

Unlike the warmer months, when the males are very territorial, winter robins flock together both day and night. Robins pick through the leaves recently for food in the backyard of an East Street residence in Skaneteles. Robert Green photo When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin’ along, it’s a sure sign spring has arrived — right? Not really. A growing number of these birds are wintering in Upstate New York. During the recent warm snap, Robert Green, the former mayor of Skaneateles, spotted a flock of nearly 30 on the ground picking through the leaves for food on East Street in the village. “I guess we can say they were either late in leaving, or early in returning,” he said. “It was definitely a surprise to see them in January.” Gerry Smith, former president of Onondaga Audubon, said there’s been a definite increase in the number of wintertime robins locally. He tied it to three factors: global warming, available shelter and the availability of food. Smith said many of the area’s robins head south, and the ones being spotted now are mostly from Canada; they have stopped here during their migration. “For them, this area is their equivalent of Florida,” he said. Laura Erickson, who writes for the Cornell Ornithology Lab, noted robins typically feed on earthworms and insects. When winter comes, the majority — particularly the females along with the “wimpy males” — do migrate south. Those that stay, she said, are usually all males. They turn to fruit and berries to get by. “They eat crab apples, mountain ash berries, white and red cedar berries, buckthorn berries,” she said. “They go from fruit tree to fruit tree, bush to bush in a flock.” Unlike the warmer months, when the males are very territorial, winter robins flock together both day and night. They mostly stay out of sight, frequenting wetland areas that offer cedar and conifer groves. Sometimes during a warm snap, she said, they’ll come out and scrounge around for worms. Robins stay clear of birdfeeders. For good reason, Erickson said. “They lack the proper beaks and gizzards to break down the shells of seeds. That passes right through them and won’t satisfy their hunger,” she said. “As a result, they usually don’t even bother.” As the days get longer, the male robins either migrate back north, or start breaking off the flock locally and begin laying claim to nesting areas. Staying here for the winter gives them a head start. The chirping robin of spring is a bird that’s announcing to others its territory. “The better location for building a nest, the better female they’ll get,” Erickson said. “Female robins are more into the real estate than they are into the guy.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Augusto "Goose" Perez finished all six events he entered, registering personal bests each time. The one-legged athlete has battled cancer four times. Perez has battled cancer four times. John Berry/The Post-Standard One-legged Nordic skier Augusto “Goose” Perez, a cancer survivor, finished all six of the races he entered recently at the International Paralympic Committee Adaptive Biathlon and Nordic World Cup in Cable, Wis. Three of the events were cross country skiing races; three were biathlon events. Perez said he met the standards for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia, in March 2014, which will be held following the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi. At this point, though, he has not secured a spot on the U.S. team. That decision will be made a couple of months before the games, he said. The 40-year-old East Syracuse resident has battled cancer four times, recovering most recently from yet another operation and six weeks of chemotherapy that ended Jan. 4. “My last race was the 12.5-kilometer biathlon, which was held on the nine-month anniversary of my mother passing away from pancreatic cancer and two weeks from when my last cancer treatment ended,” he said. “I had promised her I would finish in the top 10 — and I did in that race. I finished 10th.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The three-day event features "national outdoors celebrities, numerous exhibitors, along with “industry leading products, services and travel catering to the sportsman and outdoor enthusiast,” according to the event’s website. Travis "T-Bone" Turner, host of the TV show "Bone Collector" is among those famous outdoors personalities scheduled to be at the New York Sportsman's Expo. Submitted photo Suffering from cabin fever? I suggest checking out the three-day New York Sportman’s Expo scheduled for this weekend at the state fairgrounds in Geddes. The expo, which kicks off today, features national outdoors celebrities, numerous exhibitors, along with “industry leading products, services and travel catering to the sportsman and outdoor enthusiast,” according to the event’s website. Among those scheduled to appear are Realtree TV show/deer hunting experts Travis T-Bone Turner, host of the show “Bone Collector” (today); David Blanton, host of “Monster Bucks” (Saturday and Sunday); and Tim Andrus, host of “Rush Outdoors” (all three days). Other features include “dock dog” jumping competitions (the canines leap for distance into the water), an indoor archery range and a catch-and-release trout pond. The show is scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: 13 to 65, $10; seniors/military, $7; 6-12, $5; 5 and under, free. For more, the event's website. . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> At midweek, all of Oneida Lake's north shore was unfishable because of the large amount of snow on the water. The snow insulates the ice and slows its formation. The south shore, has seen a few ice fishermen out taking advantage of 4 inches ice and not as much snow. </p> <p><strong>CNY FISHING FORECAST</strong></p> <p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100355764367821392533.00048c1449e56444f07e7&z=7">Bait stores (list and map).</a></p> <p> <br /><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong> <br />The steelhead bite continues to be good for steelhead and brown trout. With the cold snap, though, there’s a lot of slush in the river. Good baits continue to be egg sacs (blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh), trout beads, pink worms and stonefly patterns.</p> <p><strong>OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />Anglers continue to fish off shore behind the hotels downtown. They’re using a variety of lures/baits including white bucktails, white jigs and egg sacs, along with plastic baits such as Sassy Shads (3 to 4 inches). Ice, though, may present a problem at any given time.<br /> <br /><strong>ONEIDA LAKE</strong> <br />At midweek, all the lake’s north shore was unfishable because of the large amount of snow. The snow insulates the ice and slows its formation. The south shore, though, extending toward Lewis Point, Chapman Park and Lower South Bay has seen a few ice fishermen out taking advantage of 4 inches ice and not as much snow. </p> <p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong> <br />Lot of perch being caught off the public pier in Watkins Glen. Anglers are using perch minnows, wax worms. They’re also getting a few rainbows using eggs and pike minnows off the rock wall, near the pier.</p> <p><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong><br />No reports yet of fishable ice.<br /> <br /><strong>CAYUGA LAKE</strong><br />Ice began forming at mid-week. Could be fishable by the weekend.</p> <p><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong> <br />Ice began forming at mid-week at the southern end. Could be fishable by the weekend.<br /> <br /><strong>CAZENOVIA LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers were out at mid-week. One report noted 4 to 5 inches of ice.</p> <p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers were out at midweek. Reports of four inches of ice in places, with fishermen catching sunfish and tiger muskies.</p> <p><strong>SODUS BAY</strong><br />Ice formed at mid-week. No reports on thickness.</p> <p><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong> <br />There’s fishable ice throughout the river, with the exception of the channel. Anglers continue to fish for northern pike and perch. The Alexandria Bay Fire Department’s fishing derby is being held Saturday. For more call, 315-408-9351.<br /> <br /><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />The “pond area,” or the Dorchester Park side has about 5 to 6 inches of good ice. On the river side (the west side), there was about 3 ½ to 4 inches of ice at mid-week. Bottom line: the ice thickness varies. Be careful out there.</p> <p> <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The controversary started after the show's organizer decided to ban the sale and display of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines after the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. Afterward, a number of outfitters and sponsors withdrew. </p> <p><strong>The Associated Press </strong></p> <p>A large outdoors show in Harrisburg, Pa. was postponed indefinitely today after organizers' ban on assault weapons triggered a backlash and a growing vendor boycott.</p> <p>Reed Exhibitions posted a notice on the website of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show that said an "emotionally charged atmosphere" had been created that would make it impossible to hold an event "designed to provide family enjoyment."</p> <p>The nine-day show had been scheduled to start Feb. 2 at the Farm Show Complex. Reed's statement said the show was being postponed "for now" but did not elaborate, and a Reed spokeswoman declined an interview request or to provide other details.</p> <p>An email sent today to ticket-buyers promised refunds and said the process will be posted on its website.</p> <p>Reed had decided to ban the sale and display of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines after the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/01/lengthy_list_of_exhibitors_boy.html">The move angered a significant portion of the show's customer base, and a growing number of vendors had announced they were pulling out of the show.</a><br />Online listings showed more than 200 sellers had decided against participation, a number Reed did not confirm.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'm looking to speak to some experienced winter campers. These birds were spotted less than a week ago in Skaneateles. Robert Green photo Been a busy week. Here's what's on tap for this week's outdoors page in The Post-Standard. FRIDAY Main piece: Wintering robins. What's the story? Column: The Sportsman's show at the state fairgrounds this weekend; Women in Nature and an update on Augusto "Goose" Perez. SUNDAY Main piece: We interview Brian Hammond, expert ice fisherman on the subject of ice fishing lures that glow. Column: Still weighing my options. READER HELP REQUESTED: - Looking to speak to some experienced winter campers. - Would like to interview an expert and try my hand at building an igloo.. and spending the night in one. Can anybody help me with this? - Burning snowmobile Issues or suggestions about someone I should write a profile story on from the CNY snowmobile scene. - Looking to do a story on rabbit hunting. Anyone having any luck out there? strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong> 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

<p> "For many, the days of enjoying one sport while looking forward to the other have all but disappeared, he said. "Since things don't usually get cheaper as time marches on, I fear it's likely a permanent thing. " </p> <p><strong>Editor's note: I came across this excellent column Monday that makes several interesting points. I'd be interested from other readers about this.</strong></p> <p><br /><strong>By BRYAN BRASHER<br />Scripps Howard News Service</strong><br />MEMPHIS, TENN -- When I was growing up, my dad and I had a metal storage shed in our backyard that was split into two distinct sections.</p> <p>We had fishing equipment on one side that we used March-September, and hunting equipment on the other side that we used October-January. We usually spent February organizing all the stuff and hiding from the cold.</p> <p>A picture of that shed today might look like something from the museum of natural history, because there aren't many people who split their resources equally between the two sports like that anymore.</p> <p>A lot of people are choosing one or the other -- not because they want to, but because they have to.</p> <p>During the early days of our equal-opportunity storage shed, you could buy a permit to hunt 60,000 acres of timber-company land for just $4. So once your gun and other annual hunting supplies were paid for, the sport was almost free.</p> <p>When it came time for the good spring crappie run in March, we gladly put our guns away and never gave them another thought until the summer catfish bite finally started slowing down in late September.</p> <p>Since hunting was so affordable, we went all-out for fishing with our own fiberglass boat, plus all the portable equipment we needed to fish anywhere rental boats were available.<br />This probably doesn't come as a news flash to most of you, but hunting isn't "affordable" anymore -- certainly not like it was then.</p> <p>You're lucky if you can find a membership in a good deer-hunting club for under $1,000 a year now, and you have to spend money on your hunting property year-round if you want to keep it ready for opening day.</p> <p>You have to buy licenses and permits. You have to pay taxidermy and/or processing fees if you kill a deer.</p> <p>If you want to belong to a club that offers duck hunting, the price tag will probably be even higher -- and no matter what kind of club you belong to, the gasoline to get you there and back will cost you $3 a gallon or more.</p> <p>As the annual bill for hunting has risen, many of the folks who used to be hunters during the fall and winter and fishermen during the spring and summer have become full-time hunters who take the summer off to rebuild their bank accounts.</p> <p>Others have become full-time fishermen who brave the lakes and rivers in coveralls and facemasks on days they would have spent hunting in the past.</p> <p>The "occasional hunter," who paid $4 for a permit and went once or twice a year just to scratch the itch or because his kids wanted to go, has all but faded away -- and that has produced a younger generation with little or no hunting experience.</p> <p>A few good things have come out of the change.</p> <p>More people have learned that gigantic bass can be caught during this wintertime pre-spawn period -- like the 11-pound largemouth landed by Tucker Beal of Memphis and Mark Hann of Knoxville last week at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee.</p> <p>With a void to fill during late winter and early fall, a few more people have gotten back into dove hunting and small-game hunting to help fill the long void between the major hunting seasons for deer and waterfowl.</p> <p>But for many, the days of enjoying one sport while looking forward to the other have all but disappeared.</p> <p>Since things don't usually get cheaper as time marches on, I fear it's likely a permanent thing.<br /><strong>(Contact Bryan Brasher of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., at <a href="mailto:brashercommercialappeal.com">brashercommercialappeal.com</a>.)</strong></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Anyone else seeing robins out there lately in Central New York? See me a note (and pictures if you have them) to [email protected]. Robert Green photo Robert Green, the former mayor of Skaneateles, recently noticed a flock of 20-30 robins around the bottom of several trees on East Street. He snapped two nice photos and sent them to me. Anyone else seeing robins out there lately in Central New York? See me a note (and pictures if you have them) to [email protected]. Robert Green photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"He's a great kid," said his mom. "He does well in school, plays soccer and hunts and traps like crazy. It's a shame there aren't a lot of kids like him in this area." Britton with his first coyote and a fox. Provided photo You don't see this every day. Pictured here is Britton Scorzelli, 12, of Clay, with a coyote (his first) and a grey fox that he caught recently on his own trapping line. His mother, Trish wrote: "The picture of Britton was taken on his dads phone...He was just so proud of his first coyote. "Right now he traps on his grandfathers land in Clay and hits a few culverts around Clay also. He maintains his line on his own, we just supervise. "He has been going out trapping with his grandfather in New Mexico since he was 6...has watched and learned a great deal about the sport. This past October, he went to trapping camp down south and had a great time there. "He's a great kid, does well in school, plays soccer and hunts and traps like crazy!! It's a shame there aren't a lot of kids like him in this area! "He is a very interesting kid and tough to keep up with " Britton with a couple of beavers and some muskrats. Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The boycotts are a result of the announcement by show organizer Reed Exhibitions that so-called assault rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines will not be allowed to be displayed or sold at the show this year, according to Lancaster Online. The Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show in Harrisburg, one of, if not the biggest outdoors show in the country each year, is being hit by a lengthy list of exhibitors who are boycotting the event this year. The boycotts are the result of a recent announcement by Reed Exhibitions, the show's organizer. Reed announced that so-called assault rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines will be allowed to be displayed or sold at the show this year, according to Lancaster Online. The show runs from Feb. 2-10, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. See the current list of those who are boycotting. See another story on this issue. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog