HuntingNY-News

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31. The New York State Outdoors Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for individuals for induction into the Hall. Inductees will be honored for their accomplishments at the annual banquet April 27 in Canastota. Men and women chosen for this honor are selected on the basis of long-term service to the causes of conservation and preserving the heritage of outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing and trapping. A number of Central New York persons have been inducted into the Hall. Last year’s group of inductees included bass angler Mike Cusano of Clay. A nomination form is available online on the Hall’s website or by contacting Scott Faulkner, president of the Hall at 315-829-3588. Supplemental information and letters of recommendation should be attached to the form. The Hall of Fame is located in Vail Mills/Broadalbin within the Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

For the record, I own a dog myself. I hope this column doesn’t upset too many of my readers who are dog owners. For the record, I’m one myself. However, someone has to speak up about irresponsible and lazy folks who take their dogs out on outdoor trails used by others for cross country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking, and then allow their pet to poop in the middle of the trail and do nothing about it. The recent warm weather hasn’t helped matters. I was out cross country skiing last Sunday on a town-owned nature trail near the Skaneateles trash transfer station and couldn’t help but notice stretches where there were brown streaks caused by skiers on the trail. There were doggie deposits nearly every 10 yards in places. Nearly every morning, my wife Laura and I walk the Charlie Major Nature trail near my house in Mottville. Same deal. You have to be extra careful where you step. Folks should bring a baggie to pick up their dog’s messes – or at the very least kick it, or get a stick or piece of bark and flip it off the trail. Is that asking too much? I don’t know what people are thinking. Anyone who owns a dog knows their waste doesn’t naturally dissolve in the snow. So what happens when the snow completely melts on these trails? Answer: They’ll be covered with dog poop. I mentioned this on my outdoors page on Facebook this week, PS Outdoors, and got a few interesting responses. “I never noticed on snowshoes, but cross country skiers seem especially sensitive to having anything on ‘their’ trails except for other cross country skiers,” said James Wright, of Syracuse. Kevin McMartin, also of Syracuse, sided with me. “Camillus Unique has gotten ridiculous regarding this on the hiking trails,” he wrote. “There are land mines everywhere and mostly right smack in the middle of the hiking trails. People have gotten especially lazy and inconsiderate concerning this.” I love dogs as much as everyone else. I can’t say the same, though, for thoughtless owners. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

A state-sponsored class for would-be hunters offers a glimpse at a large and growing segment of Americans. View the full article

<p> "DEC has no plans to reintroduce cougars at this time. Before any reintroduction program could be considered, a biological assessment of the success of such a reintroduction and a human dimensions survey to determine the public support for such a project would need to be completed," a DEC spokeswoman said. </p> <p>I wrote a story this week concerning <a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/01/suny_oswego_profs_suggestion_t.html">SUNY Oswego prof John Landre, who suggested that up to 350 cougars could be introduced to the Adirondacks.</a> I included in that story reaction for a SUNY ESF professor Rainer Brocke who studied that back in the early 1980s and deemed it unreasonable because of the number of roads in the Adirondacks and the fact that many would likely die from cougar/car accidents.</p> <p><strong>Late this afternoon, DEC spokeswoman Lori Severino weighed in with DEC's response to this idea:</strong></p> <p>"DEC has no plans to reintroduce cougars at this time. Before any reintroduction program could be considered, a biological assessment of the success of such a reintroduction and a human dimensions survey to determine the public support for such a project would need to be completed.<br /> <br />"There are many resident species that are endangered, threatened or in need of conservation. DEC believes it is best to work on the conservation of those species that are still here before considering any reintroduction programs.</p> <p>"This is particularly true because the eastern cougar has been declared extinct by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and any reintroduction would therefore by necessity entail non-native subspecies.</p> <p>"We are not aware of any other reintroduction programs but we are aware that mountain lions, which are hunted as big game animals in many western states, are expanding their range."</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The group meets the third Thursday of every month at the Solvay Youth Center. Interested in refining your skills as a fly tier? The Iroquois chapter of Trout Unlimited may be able to help. “We hold a session the third Thursday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Solvay Youth Center on Woods Road in Solvay,” said David Tarr, a chapter member. “Bring your own tools and materials. It’s not a class, just a monthly get together. We do help people out and can show them a thing or two.” Call 454-2036 or see the chapter's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Our agreement does not provide legal public access," says Land Trust Executive Director Andrew Zepp. " My understanding is that landowners are interested in selling fishing access rights to the state and NYSDEC staff are working on this." The following is a press release from the Finger Lakes Land Trust: The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced today that it has accepted the donation of a conservation easement from landowner Jeanne Paisley on her 120-acre property bordering the East Branch of Owego Creek in the Town of Richford, Tioga County. Conservation easements are legal agreements that limit future development while allowing land to remain in private ownership and on the tax rolls. In this case, the easement provides for vegetated buffers along the creek while allowing for continued use of the land for agriculture and forestry. Landowners who donate conservation easements may be eligible for both state and federal tax benefits. The Land Trust identified the Paisley property as a priority for protection due to its extensive frontage on Owego Creek, which is recognized as one of the region’s premiere trout streams. A public fishing access site is located just north of the tract and a village park is located to the south. In addition to its land along the creek, the property also includes frontage on both sides of State Route 38 and features two agricultural fields as well as extensive woodlands and several small tributaries to the creek. At this point, however, the trust's securing of the easement does not open the way at this point for public fishing along the stretch. Anyone who wants to fish it needs to get permission first from the landowner. "Our agreement does not provide legal public access," says Land Trust Executive Director Andrew Zepp. "My understanding is that landowners are interested in selling fishing access rights to the state and NYSDEC staff are working on this." The East Branch of Owego Creek is well known for its trout habitat and has been designated “best for protection” by the Eastern Brook Trout joint venture – a collaboration of conservation agencies and non-profits seeking to protect, restore, and enhance brook trout populations throughout their historic range. Funding to cover transaction and stewardship costs associated with the conservation easement were provided by a grant from the conservation organization Trout Unlimited through its Coldwater Land Conservancy Fund – a program established to support the protection of native trout habitat within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funding for this program was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. "This is a fantastic project,” Zepp said. “Thanks to the commitment of Jeanne Paisley and her family, and the support of our funding partners, we will be able to ensure the future of a significant stretch of the creek while allowing the land to remain available for farming and forestry.” This latest project is the Land Trust’s third within the watershed of the East Branch of Owego Creek. The organization already holds a conservation easement on land located just south of the Village of Richford and also owns and manages a 140-acre nature preserve on a tributary to the creek. The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a regional non-profit conservation organization that works cooperatively with landowners and local communities to conserve those lands that are vital to the Finger Lakes and New York’s Southern Tier. To date, the Land Trust has permanently protected more than 15,000 acres through direct acquisition as well as the use of conservation easements on lands that remain in private ownership. The organization is supported by more than 1,900 individuals and families from the throughout the region. <p>For additional information about the Land Trust and conservation easements may be obtained by <a href="http://www.fllt.org">visiting the organization’s website View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The program was created as a partnership between DEC and private landowners to help address the loss of grasslands and associated at-risk wildlife species. The new deadline for applications is Feb. 1.. The The following is a DEC press release: The deadline for accepting applications for the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) has been extended by two weeks, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. The LIP was created as a partnership between DEC and private landowners to help address the loss of grasslands and associated at-risk wildlife species. The original open application period coincided with the holiday season and recent snowstorms across the state, therefore the new February 1, 2013 deadline will allow more landowners an opportunity to apply. Grasslands provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife and are especially significant for birds, including the endangered short-eared owl, the threatened Henslow’s sparrow and the threatened upland sandpiper. Eligible private landowners interested in offsetting the decline in grassland bird habitat and populations will be able to apply for technical advice and financial incentives. To be eligible to apply, an applicant must own at least 25 acres of contiguous grassland located within one of the grassland focus areas across the state. They include portions of the following counties: Allegany, Cayuga, Chemung, Clinton, Cortland, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Otsego, Saratoga, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. See the DEC website for a map of New York’s grasslands focus areas. The vast majority of grasslands are privately owned. Under LIP, enrolled landowners that engage in stewardship activities that are beneficial for breeding grassland birds are compensated for their efforts. The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through State Wildlife Grants: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7179.html. This grant program was created and is funded by Congress to help rare and declining species before they require listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act. To learn more about the program and obtain an application form, visit the Protecting Grassland Birds on Private Lands page available on DEC’s website. For questions or comments regarding the program, email the program at f&[email protected] or call (518) 402-8943. Applications must be post-marked by Feb. 1. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Wednesday, the annual NASTAR pacesetter trials for this region were held at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, featuring 35, top-notch, downhill skiers from all the local slopes and beyond. The top skier of the day was four-time Olympian AJ Kitt., Recreational downhill ski racing in the NASTAR program is in one respect a lot like golf. You get a handicap. As a result, any skier in the nation’s largest recreational ski racing program can compare him or herself against skiers of a similar age and gender all across the country and tell how good they are on any given day. The handicapping system comes from NASTAR pacesetter trials, which are held once a year at various locations, pitting the best skiers from local slopes against a seasoned, top-ranked skier . Wednesday, the annual NASTAR pacesetter trials for this region were held at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, featuring 35, top-notch, downhill skiers from all the local slopes and beyond. The top skier of the day, to no one’s surprise, was four-time Olympian AJ Kitt, who grew up in Rochester and now lives in Fort Hood, Ore. “Ski racing is infectious,” he said. “You’re constantly comparing yourself against yourself. With the handicap system, you know whether your improving and whether you’re beating your buddy.” NASTAR-sanctioned races from around the country are posted daily on the program’s website, nastar.com. NASTAR is an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race. The NASTAR program actually has its roots in golf. Kitt said the publishers of Golf Magazine back in the 1960s decided golf and skiing had similar demographics. They started Ski Magazine and came up with the NASTAR program and its handicap system back in 1968, basing it on the golf handicap system. The pacesetter trials involve all the skiers making several runs down a routine or “pretty vanilla” slope” that’s not really challenging and with no weird combination of gates, Kitt said. The quarter mile slope racers were getting timed on Wednesday was one that even a young beginner or senior citizen could navigate. “They take my fastest time of the day, and the fastest time of the others and compare. The results are then plugged into a formula and it kicks out a handicap for all the skiers,” he said. “They then go back to their own slopes and the handicaps for competitors on those slopes are figured using times from the slope’s pacesetters.” The way the system works, a zero handicap is held by the best downhill skier in the country, which at this point is Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety. Kitt, 44, though no longer a professional or Olympic-level skier, holds an impressive 1.98 handicap. Kitt and Bill Madsen, director of operations for NASTAR, have been traveling around the country this month. Their schedule calls for seven different regional pacesetter trials. Last month they were in Pennsylvania. The next stop is Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire for the New England trials. In addition to downhill ski racing, NASTAR also provides handicaps for snowboarder, telemark skiers and disabled participants. The fastest pacesetter of the day behind Kitt was Christian Engle, of Syracuse, whose fastest time was only .02 seconds slower. He’s in the 35-39 age group and his handicap was set at 2.49. His sister, Meredith Engle, of Liverpool, who’s in the 21-29 age group, was the fastest female of the day. She earned a 15 handicap. Both skiied for Labrador Mountain. Jamie McLusky, 59, owner of the McLusky apple orchard business in Lafayette, was skiing as a pacesetter for Greek Peak. McLusky, a one-time national level skier and former Ithaca College ski coach, was the top finisher in the 50-59 age category, earning a handicap of 9.1. “I’m 59 and still pretty competitive,” he said. “I want to let these younger guys know that ... Guess what? I can still do it.” For complete results from Wednesday’s pacesetter trials at Labrador Mountain, or to learn more about NASTAR, see the program's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Those who pay the $8 admission fee will get a free, one-year subscription to either Field and Stream or Outdoor Life magazine. Those outdoors enthusiasts belonging to groups/clubs who are a members of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs will get a $2 discount. Tom Tarry says the whole concept of an outdoors sportsman’s show needs to be shaken up. Tarry, who is chief executive officer of the Results Group, is running the three-day New York Sportsman’s Show, which kicks off at noon today in the SRC Arena and Events Center at Onondaga Community College. “We’ve heard complaints about other shows being dominated by outfitters, many from outside our area. And other things, like too many RVs,” he said. “We’ve taken things and turned them upside down. “This show will have limited numbers of outfitters, no RVs – and more local groups and organizations than this area has ever seen at an outdoors show. My goal is make it as interactive as possible, and to be a celebration of New York’s hunting and fishing scene on an annual basis.” The admission fee is $8, and members of outdoors clubs and groups who are members of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs will get a $2 discount. Children under 12 are free. Tarry pointed out the entry fee will get attendees a free one-year subscription to either Field and Stream or Outdoor Life magazine. “My theme is that if you can do it outdoors, you can do it here,” Tarry said, adding there will be two duck hunting simulators, a 3-D archery range and a massive trout fishing pond stocked with fish from the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery. Tarry said 18 different local organizations will be represented. Local groups scheduled to attend include the Central New York Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association, the Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited, New York Ice Pro-Am (promoters of new, professional ice fishing circuit), the Oneida Lake Association and McGrath and Associates Carp Angling Services, to name a few. There will also be a wide assortment of seminars and displays by local businesses. “I’m doing a few cooking demos of wild game and fish,” said Stephen Wowelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. “There’s going to be a lot of local talent there.” Tarry has a long-range vision of the show and what he expects to accomplish. “This thing is going to take three years to build up. We’re swimming upstream like the salmon do,” he said. The show opens today beginning at noon until 8 p.m., and continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more, see the event's website. I’ll be at the show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check things out and meet with readers. Stop by my table and say hi. Don’t worry, I won’t bite. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'd like to put together a list of these events that are open to the public. I'd also like to attend a few. Now's the time of year that local churches, rod and gun clubs and other groups have wild game dinners. I'd like to put together a list of these events that are open to the public. I'd also like to attend a few. Know of any coming up this winter? Send me an email at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Most, if not all waterways lack safe ice to fish on. </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><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong><br />There’s still good numbers of fish (steelhead and browns) in the river. The river is still down.</p> <p><strong>OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />Reports of nice-sized brown trout being caught behind the motels on both sides of the river. Most fish have been caught on jigs, usually white in color; made of soft plastic such as the Berkley power bait realistix, SCM13-SMLT 3-inch, scented smelt model or several other soft plastic models that are probably more often used for bass fishing. Some anglers are also having success with 1/8 oz, white marabou jigs fished under either a stationary bobber or a slip bobber depending on the depth of water.<br /> <br /><strong>ONEIDA LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers were flocking to Big Bay and North Bay at mid-week and cashing in, but no promises for this weekend. On a side note, recent work on a culvert that spills into Big Bay has increased the water flow into the lake at that area. Proceed with caution when near it.</p> <p><strong>CAYUGA LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers were out on the ice (4-5 inches) on the west side at mid-week, but no promises for this weekend. </p> <p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers have been catching crappies and perch off the Watkins Glen pier using fathead minnows and spikes.<br /> <strong><br />OWASCO LAKE</strong> <br />No fishable ice.</p> <p><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong> <br />Solid ice (4-5 inches) at mid-week at the north end of the lake, but no promises for this weekend.<br /> <br /><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong> <br />No fishable ice.</p> <p><strong>CAZENOVIA LAKE</strong> <br />Some anglers were getting at mid-week, but reports of “a lot of slush.” No promises for this weekend.<br /> <br /><strong>SODUS BAY</strong> <br />Some fishable ice at mid-week, but no promises for this weekend.<br /> <br /><strong>ST. LAWRENCE RIVER</strong> <br />There’s questionable ice on Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Chippewa Bay and Goose Bay. They all had 5-7 inches last year, but the warm temperatures will soften things up. Proceed with caution.<br /> <strong><br />WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />Fishable ice at mid-week (4 inches or more), but no promises for this weekend. <br /> <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The event was set for Jan. 26. The new date is Feb. 9. </p> <p><strong>The following is a press release:</strong></p> <p> The 2013 running of the Almost-Annual New York State Crappie Derby is being postponed to February 9, 2013 due to the mild winter experienced so far. The event was originally scheduled for January 26, 2013.</p> <p>According to the event's coordinators: "We are hopeful this will allow sufficient time for safe ice to form. We will be monitoring weather conditions and forecasts/projects over the next couple of weeks to track ice growth progress. Should it become obvious that sufficient ice is not likely to occur, a cancellation notice with be published."</p> <p>If sufficiently cold weather returns however, the Feb. 9 date will be confirmed in a subsequent release. </p> <p>The Derby is a family- oriented event. There are usually far more spectators than registered contestants. Prize categories, such as Door Prizes, exist for those not successful in catching fish.</p> <p>There is something for everyone: an excellent fishing lake, prizes for fish along with Door Prizes, a midway with a number of exhibits, refreshments and port-a-johns on the ice. Some of the organizations participating will be the Ross Park Zoo (with some live animals or birds), Finch Hollow Nature Center with educational displays and the National Weather Service (with a real-time digital weather station) along with other features.</p> <p><a href="http://WWW.CRAPPIEDERBY.COM">For updates, check out the event's website.</a></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'll be at the Outdoors Sportsman's Show at OCC from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday. See you there! AJ Kitt, who has skied on 4 Winter U.S. Olympic ski teams, skis as a pace setter for NASTAR ski racing at Labrador Mountain in Truxton Wednesday morning. Dick Blume/The Post-Standard I'm getting more into the winter scene. Here's what's on tap for this week's outdoors pages in The Post-Standard. FRIDAY Main piece: I travel to Labrador Mountain ski resort where a top-ranked NASTAR pacesetter (4-time Olympian AJ Kitt) races against the best downhill skiers from ski slopes across the state Wednesday morning to set racing standard times for CNY slopes and elsewhere. NASTAR (an acronym for NAtional STAndard Race) is the world's largest known recreational ski and snowboard race program. It allows ski or snowboard racers of all ages and abilities, through a handicap system, a way to compare themselves with one another and with the national champion, regardless of when and where they race. Column: Precede to weekend's Outdoorsman's Sportsman's Show at Onondaga Community College, which kicks off Friday. (I'll be at the show meeting with readers from 10 to 2 p.m. Saturday. See you there!) SUNDAY: Main piece: Interview with Augusto "Goose" Perez, a paralympian who's training this week in Nordic skiing at Winona Forest in preparation for upcoming 2013 IPC Paralympian Nordic Skiing/Biathlon World Cup in Wisconsin. Perez has survived four bouts with cancer. This guy only has one leg and he's absolutely inspiring. he plans on doing all the skiing and biathlon events next week. Column: Still mulling my options. READER HELP REQUESTED: - I'd like to talk to a snowmobile trail groomer who's seen wild boar while on the job. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I've heard this for several years now and I'd like to see if for myself. - 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

Officials in the Sakha-Yakutia region of Siberia have gone so far as to declare a state of emergency to draw attention to the wolves eating livestock, including horses and reindeer. View the full article

"He's living in a dream world," said one former SUNY ESF biology professor who studied the issue. A caged mountain lion at the Burnett Park Zoo is shown in this 2004 photo. J. Michael Kelly/The Post-Standard Lions and tigers and bears in the Adirondacks? Well, maybe just lions and bears — mountain lions, that is – according to John Laundre, a SUNY Oswego biology faculty member. Laundre, in an article published this week, suggested that a forest preserve the size of the Adirondack Mountains could accommodate the reintroduction of as many as 350 cougars. The article, "The Feasibility of Northeastern U.S. Supporting the Return of Cougars," was published in Oryx, an international conservation journal. It cites the successful return of cougars to areas near cities in the western part of this country, and to similarly developed habitats in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Big Cypress National Preserve of southern Florida. Laundre, who is vice president of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation, challenges previous positions by wildlife biologists – particularly Rainer Brocke, a SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry biology professor. In his 1981 study, Brocke concluded that road density and resulting vehicle/cougar accidents would hurt any chance of cougars being re-introduced to the 6-million-acre Adirondacks. ¶ Brocke, currently living in Lafayette, said Laundre "is living in a dream world." Brocke said the Adirondacks is different from areas out west and in Florida where cougar populations have taken hold. He noted that cougars in the southern tip of Florida have not spread northward because many have been killed on roads. The ones out west, he said, have survived because of great blocks of mountainous refuges. Although these areas border municipalities, the fact remains that the cats still have a lot of space to remain pretty much free of entanglement with humans. "In contrast, there’s people spread all throughout the Adirondacks," he said. Laundre disagrees. His group, the Cougar Rewilding Foundation, describes itself as a " non-profit, science-based, volunteer-run conservation organization dedicated to the recovery of cougars to all of their former range east of the Rocky Mountains." For more see, easterncougar.org. "Thirty years ago, everyone thought that cougars needed to live in the most remote places. But they’ve demonstrated that they’re as adaptable as coyotes," said the SUNY Oswego prof who has studied cougars for 20 years in Idaho and Mexico. State Department of Conservation officials were contacted about this story, but did not respond by press time. Cougars – which are also called a pumas, mountain lions, panthers or catamounts – are the largest members of the cat family in North America. Adult males average about 140 pounds, but some have been found to weigh up to 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. The females are smaller. tate-sponsored bounty programs wiped cougars out in New York by the end of the 19th century. The state’s deer population at that time was also very low. Laundre notes that white-tailed deer, in the absence of cougars who helped controlled their numbers, have recovered to "super saturation" levels in this state. Citing a 2011 state Department of Environmental Conservation report, he noted the state’s deer herd has critically threatened forest regeneration through the state. Laundre estimate that cougars annually would take about 8 percent of the Adirondack forest preserve’s deer herd, which would be "sustainable" in conjunction with hunting and wildlife management practices. Veteran deer hunter Dan Ladd, of West Fort Ann, whose website, adk-hunter.com, is dedicated to deer and turkey hunting in the Adirondacks, said in his opinion the cougars would gravitate to the foothills, where the deer and human population are the heaviest and where problems could develop. He said he’s against cougars being reintroduced for "safety concerns." Brocke said in the past cougar attacks on humans were rare, but have risen in recent years. "They do pose a hazard to people in some parts of the west and that fact has not gone unnoticed," he said. Read initial SUNY Oswego press release and comments on this issue. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

A wild turkey survival study is set to begin this month. Landowners are being encourage to participate. The following is a DEC press release: DEC is beginning a new research project on wild turkey survival to help improve the management of this popular game bird, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. “Wild turkeys are the most popular small game species in New York among hunters afield,” Commissioner Martens said. “The data generated by this study will provide valuable information on turkey survival rates and population size to help guide future management of this important game species. I encourage landowners that have wild turkey on their property to consider participating in this study.” Over the past 10 years wild turkey populations have declined in many parts of New York State. In an effort to better understand the factors influencing population changes and how these changes affect turkey management, DEC is embarking on a four-year study. This project will provide wildlife managers with current estimates of harvest and survival rates for female wild turkeys, or hens, in New York and guide future management efforts. Beginning this month, DEC will launch a statewide effort to capture wild turkey hens and fit them with leg bands to obtain accurate data on survival and harvest. A small number of these birds will also be tagged with satellite radio-transmitters. All of the work in New York will be done by DEC personnel on both public and private lands from January through March. The research will be concentrated in DEC Regions 3 through 9 where turkey populations are largest. From 2006 through 2009, DEC staff worked with hundreds of landowners from across the state to assess harvest and survival of gobblers, male wild turkeys. Many landowners actively participated in the gobbler survival project or provided reports of winter turkey flocks. With that important project completed, DEC is once again looking for landowners interested in helping with the new study focused on hen survival. DEC is looking for landowners in DEC Regions 3 through 9 interested in allowing birds to be trapped on their land, as well as alerting project coordinators when they see turkeys on their property on a regular basis. Once turkeys are trapped and banded, they will immediately be released unharmed at the same location. Observations of turkey flocks during January through March can be reported to the project coordinator for that region or can be reported using the Winter Flock Survey form found on DEC’s website . For more information on this project, contact the regional project coordinator below or DEC by e-mail at [email protected] . “Turkey Study” should be listed as the subject line in any e-mails. Interested landowners should contact the project coordinator for their region listed below: View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was his first fish ever through the ice. Submitted photo Mark Manning caught this perch, which he said measured 14 inches, while ice fishing Oneida lake recently with fishing buddy, Pat Kraus. "I caught the perch on a fathead minnow using a tip-up. It is my first ever fish through the ice." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The professor cites cougars' successful return to the urban interface of western cities and compares their recovery to similarly developed habitats in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Big Cypress National Preserve of southern Florida. The following is a press release from SUNY OSWEGO OSWEGO, N.Y. -- In an article published Jan. 8, SUNY Oswego biology faculty member Dr. John Laundre suggests that a forest preserve in the Adirondack Mountains can accommodate the reintroduction 150 to 350 cougars, challenging previous findings. In "The Feasibility of Northeastern U.S. Supporting the Return of Cougars," published in the international conservation journal Oryx, Laundre cites cougars' successful return to the urban interface of western cities and compares their recovery to similarly developed habitats in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Big Cypress National Preserve of southern Florida. In proposing to return the cougar to the giant New York State Forest Preserve, Laundre in his paper provides an updated re-evaluation of a 1981 study by emeritus SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry biologist Rainer Brocke, who concluded that road density would hinder any chance of cougar recovery to the 6-million-acre Adirondacks. "Thirty years ago everyone thought cougars needed to live in the most remote places," said Laundre, who studied the Western hemisphere's second largest cat for 20 years in Idaho and Mexico, "but they've demonstrated that they are as adaptable as coyotes." He cited the black bear's comeback in New Jersey as further evidence of the viability of this kind of re-introduction. He emphasized that a small population of cougars safely co-exists in the Santa Monica Mountains of West Los Angeles north of Malibu. "There's even a young, radio-collared male running around LA's Griffith Park," he noted. "That's like taking up residence in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx." Market hunting of prey like white-tailed deer nearly to extermination combined with state-sponsored predator bounty programs wiped out the cougar in the Adirondacks by the end of the 19th century. Laundre noted that white-tailed deer have recovered to super-saturation, critically threatening forest regeneration throughout the state, a pending ecosystem collapse highlighted in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's 2011 State Forest Management Plan. Laundre's ecology research in Yellowstone after wolves were restored to the national park in 1995 was the first to identify how predator presence changes prey vigilance and browsing behavior. "Cougars hunt at the edges of rivers and in forests that provide lots of cover," said the author of the 2012 book "Phantoms of the Prairie: The Return of Cougars to the Midwest." "Deer learn where they are in most danger from predators, which self-restricts where they feed; plants start coming back that the deer would normally just vacuum up." His groundbreaking Yellowstone study and subsequent research found that "wolves and cougars are, in a sense, shepherds of these wild herds of deer, keeping them from overgrazing the forest." Considering years of cougar predation studies, his Adirondack analysis suggests that cougars annually would take about 8 percent of the forest preserve's estimated 50,000 to 80,000 white-tailed deer, a number he called easily sustainable in conjunction with the current hunter harvest and wildlife management protocols. "If 5,000 cougars can co-exist with 37 million people in California, then the cougar's ancestral home, our nation's first wilderness, the Adirondacks, can certainly support them," Laundre said. A visiting instructor in SUNY Oswego's department of biological sciences and an expert in wildlife ecology and conservation, Laundre is vice president of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I don't know what it is, but sometimes inclement weather turns the fish on!" The following report was filed by Ken Esser, of Oswego, a veteran Oswego River fishermen. Finally there are some fish in the Oswego Harbor behind the motels on both sides of the Oswego River. They were quite late in coming this year for unknown reasons; the low water levels in the early part of December might have had something to do with it. For the past week or more the bank fishermen have had some respectable double-digit catches, ALL BROWNS. Haven’t seen a rainbow or a steelhead in weeks. Most of the browns are in the 3 to 4 lb category with a few 5 to 8 lb fish in the mix. Unbelievable though it may seem, most fish have been caught on jigs, usually white in color; made of soft plastic such as the Berkley power bait realistix, SCM13-SMLT 3” scented smelt model or several other soft plastic models that are probably more often used for bass fishing. The old reliable 1/8 oz white marabou jig fished under either a stationary bobber or a slip bobber depending on the depth of water being fished is almost always productive. The same jigs 1/4 oz or 3/8 oz fished using a bottom bouncing technique (No bobber) is often very productive in the deeper water behind the motels which is usually 12 to 18 ft deep at this time of the year. Bucktail jigs also work well. When the water is a bit cloudy it often pays to use brighter color jigs such as yellow or chartreuse. When the water is clear white seems to be the best. Back in November and early December BEADS in various colors and sizes was THEEEEEE Ticket for taking all three species of trout and even an occasional Laker; egg sacks and egg imitation flies were probably the number 2 technique to catch the trout. At this specific time of the year, it seems the jig is in first place, at least in the Oswego River. BTW, small, floating, neutral buoyancy, (suspending), or deepdiving plugs, depending on the depth of water being fished also have their innings. The Pin-Minnow is very effective at times; generally speaking natural colors work the best, however, as with many types of techniques, a change of pattern or color can often make the difference, especially when they are playing hard to get. Yesterday I landed 5 for 8, on jigs and today it was 6 for 8 all on jigs again. Some anglers have been doing much better than that and of course the drift boats catch incredible numbers. Before ending this report I have to mention the weather. About a week ago a fairly heavy snow storm (12”) rolled in with approximately 20 to 30 MPH winds. Most people wouldn’t leave the house on a day like this, right? My friend caught 17 browns that day and another angler caught 11; I stayed home. Don’t know what it is but sometimes inclement weather turns them ON! Yesterday there were some 1 ft waves on the west side of the river and I was very skeptical about fishing a 1/4 oz white soft plastic jig about 8 ft under a bobber............5 for 8, including two that measured 27”, in about one hour wasn’t bad under those conditions. After that I decided to call it a day and went home to warm up, or should I say thaw out. Catch ya later folks..............Ken. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The catch of the day was a monster, 19-pound steelhead. Submitted photo Fishing buddies Mike Cusano and Burnie Haney had a great day Saturday (Jan. 5) on the Salmon River near Pineville. The catch of the day was a monster 19-pound steelhead landed by Cusano, who lives in Clay. Haney's report follows: Today the weather channel called for 12-15 degree air temps in the early morning with warming trend in the afternoon so I decided to hit the River around noon. I had a decent day on a 335 CFS flow and today it was supposed to be 750 so I was looking forward to a good trip and I called Mike Cusano… aka CUS, to see if he wanted to go to. Turns out we had 32 degrees so they got it wrong… again… but it was to our advantage so this time it worked out for us. We met up at Fat Nancy’s in Pulaski at 1115; I picked up some hooks, swivels and a few power worms, while CUS grabbed a bag of worms and a few flies. As I’m checking out the clerk announces the water flow was shut down this morning so instead of the 750 we wanted we learned we’d be fishing in a 285 flow. We put the waders on, loaded the truck, and headed up to the Pineville area. I brought two spinning rods and two bait casters, the camera and a light thermos of hot chocolate in case we wanted to knock the chill off. Our rigging was pretty straight forward, Bass Pro Shop Excel 8 lb. mainline, 6 lb. BPS XPS Fluorocarbon and 8mm Orange Trout Beads, bounced along the bottom with a 4 BB slinky on a snap swivel. It’s nothing fancy and strictly utility style fishing, basic bump and grind along in the lower water, but it gets the job done and that’s what counts. CUS was running the Trout Bead and I opted for the Power Worm in Hot Pink on the same set up. We were about 30 minutes into our trip, I had a fish bump me and then I proceeded to hang up and retie three times. Meanwhile CUS worked the trout bead as we discussed the drift, casting angles and where the strikes ought to occur. Sure enough as I re-rig CUS sets the hook with a fish–on and the fight begins. I saw the fish’s head break the surface on the hook set, so I knew it was a good fish and I estimated it about 10-12 lbs. … man was I wrong. I think this fish would hit 19 without too much trouble I have an 18.10 hen on the wall and this fish was much bigger. So much so it took 18 minutes and 40 seconds to land it. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

As it stands now, the use of crossbows to hunt game is not allowed at all and the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt, which occurs during the regular bow hunting season, is still a go. A crossbow hunting bill that mirrors one recently filed in the state Assembly was filed recently by Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma, in the state Assembly. The bill is S1699. Like legislation submitted by Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, (A00283), it would give the DEC authority to regulate where, when and how they should be used. A late session veto in December by Gov. Andrew Cuomo killed a crossbow bill authored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, D-Lindenhurst. Sweeney’s bill would have continued crossbow regulations that expired Dec. 31 for another two years. The Sweeney bill, supported by New York Bowhunters, a bow-hunting advocacy group, would have again only allowed use of crossbows to hunt big game (deer and bear) during the regular firearms and late muzzleloading seasons – not during the regular bowhunting season. It would have also eliminated the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt for deer, which occurred this past fall for the first time. As it stands now, the use of crossbows to hunt game is not allowed at all and the Columbus Day weekend youth firearms hunt, which occurs during the regular bow hunting season, is still a go. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has not taken a position on the issue. “The DEC does not comment on legislation,” said Lisa King, a DEC spokesperson. Stay tuned. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31. The New York State Outdoors Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for individuals for induction into the Hall. Inductees will be honored for their accomplishments at the annual banquet April 27. Men and women chosen for this honor are selected on the basis of long-term service to the causes of conservation and preserving the heritage of outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing and trapping. A nomination for is available online on the Hall's website or by contacting Scott Faulkner, president of the Hall at 315-829-3588. Supplemental information and letters of recommendation should be attached to the form. Completed forms should be sent to NYSOHOF, PO Box 605, Poland, N.Y. 13431. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Many popular Central New York ice fishing spots — such as the northern end of Otisco Lake and Big Bay on Oneida Lake — were still uncertain or unsafe bets at week’s end. Friday morning, six ice fishing shanties and another angler pulling an open, plastic sled could be seen off the eastern shore of Tuscarora Lake in Nelson. “Today, it’s about 4 to 6 inches thick, depending on where you are on the lake,” said Scott Baker of Cazenovia, who was jigging with a Rapala lure over 28 feet of water. “Safe for me is at least 2 ½ inches of clear or black ice. I haven’t heard or felt anything move underneath me, so it seems OK,” he said. With a string of recent cold days and nights, the ice fishing season has arrived – kind of. Reports from areas in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence River area note safe ice. “It got down to nine below zero one night, “ said Todd Cerow, owner of the Thousand Island Bait Store in Alexandria Bay,. He said many bays on the river had ice of 5 inches or more and that anglers were catching perch and northern pike. However, many popular Central New York ice fishing spots — such as the northern end of Otisco Lake and Big Bay on Oneida Lake — were still uncertain or unsafe bets at week’s end. “One called at about 9 a.m. Thursday and told us to tell people to stay away from Big Bay,” said James Daher, co-owner of Mickey’s Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse. “He said it was slushy and cakey and that he walked out and his leg went right through (the ice). I’ve heard that others have gone through this week as well.” The Tuscarora Lake anglers interviewed Friday morning all said they felt safe. “I normally fish Oneida Lake, but we heard the stories about the guys on Big Bay. That’s why we’re here,” said Jim Perkins, of Kirkville. Perkins had more than a half dozen nice perch in his bucket. He caught them using a Sonar lure tipped with a perch eye. “The biggest one was the first one. It just hit my lure – bam,” he said. David Lemon, fisheries manager for the state Department of Conservation’s Region 7, said many of the Madison County (lakes and) reservoirs tend to ice over first because of the higher elevation and generally smaller size. They include Tuscarora and Cazenovia lakes, the DeRuyter Reservoir and Stony Pond. “Safety is in the eye of the beholder and the decision about whether the ice is safe is the responsibility of every angler who chooses to go out, “ Lemon said. Perkins’ fishing buddy, Lawrence Wilcox, also of Kirkville, was also out on Tuscarora jigging a small, green and silver Kastmaster lure tipped with a perch eye. He had nearly a dozen perch in his bucket. He credited his good luck to his Vexilar fish finder. “I won’t fish without one,” he said. “Why? You wouldn’t know if there’s fish down there. “ Wilcox was dressed in what he described as a “super warm,” Ice Armour ice fishing suit. He also wore white, “Mickey Mouse” boots. “That’s what the government calls them. The military wears them in places like Siberia and Russia,” he said. “I got them online for $100.” Wilcox said there’s something to be said about getting out early in the season, that the fish seem to get more shy as the winter progresses. Tuscarora Lake offers anglers bass, perch, pickerel, bluegills and the occasional walleye, he said. Lemon said although there are some who believe that the first ice fishermen out are the most successful, “we cannot confirm that to be true.” He again stressed safety and that being sure the ice is secure needs to be the first, and most important consideration of any angler. Many rely on word of mouth from fellow ice fisherman and reports from iceshanty.com and other online sources in making decisions of where to try their luck. “The state parking lot at the northern end of Cazenovia Lake was full Thursday evening,” Parker said. “Apparently, there’s a good crappie bite going on over there.” WHAT’S SAFE ICE? - 2 inches – one person on foot - 3 inches – group in single file - 7.5 inches – one car (two tons) * This guide is based on clear, blue, hard ice on non-running waters. Slush ice is about 50 percent weaker. Clear, blue ice over running water is about 20 percent weaker. Many ice anglers do not like to fish on less than five inches of ice, and do not like to drive a pick-up truck on less than 15 inches of ice. Be especially alert in areas near shore, over moving bodies of water and on lakes and ponds where streams enter or exit. It’s always a good idea to fish with at least one other person. Source: DEC. For more, see the DEC website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Some donate their meat and it ends up at local food pantries. Others, donate the hides and the proceeds are used to help those at the Syracuse VA Hospital. Waste not. That’s the attitude of the Central New York deer hunters I know. Many fill their freezers each fall with their harvests, or give the venison to family or friends. Others donate the meat to the Venison Donation Coalition program, and it eventually gets distributed to local food pantries to help the needy. Others drop off their deer hides at the Camillus Elks Club, which sells them and uses the proceeds to help out at the Syracuse Veterans Administration Hospital. The hide money is used for such things as throwing pizza parties for the hospitalized vets, along with keeping their toiletry cabinet stocked. Bob Maraio, who coordinates the deer hide collection program for the Elks, wanted me to thank everyone who dropped off a hide. He said the club took in 391 this past hunting season. He said the hides usually fetch about $5 to $6 each. “This year, the hides came from all over Central New York – east to New Hartford, west to Auburn, north to Fulton and south to Delmar. Quite an area of coverage.” Brian McManus, community relations coordinator of the Food Bank of Central New York, told me Friday hunters donated a total of 5,100 pounds of venison. He said when it’s handed out to local food pantries, the venison is all ground up and packaged in tubes for easy use. “Last year we received about 2,000 pounds,” he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Check out the club's schedule of events on www.adk-on.org. The Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club offers a cross country or snowshoe trip most Saturdays and Sundays all winter. During the warmer months, the club offers members and guests a hike every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. There’s a variety of outings, some local, some in the Adirondacks at all different levels of hiking. Interested persons can access the outings schedule at www.adk-on.org. “I led a cross country ski refresher outing at Highland Forest Saturday,” said Mary Coffin, the chapter’s conservation chairman and also chairman of the chapter’s efforts in building the North Country National Scenic Trail. In addition, the club holds an informal hike opportunity on Wednesday mornings. Members meet at 9 a.m. at the Jamesville Plaza below the restored depot. For more information, call 687-3589 or email Coffin at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog