HuntingNY-News

He shot it in Otisco. Submitted photo John Rizzo, of Geddes, poses with an impressive, 9-point buck he shot Nov. 18 in Otisco . The deer dressed out at 170 pounds. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Are there are any other miscellaneous facts about double barrel shotguns that it would be smart to know about? Since I don't own either type of gun, I'm putting the following query, submitted by Kyle, a reader of this blog, to readers who are hunters and firearm experts: "I wanted to know what your professional opinion is on a comparison of the over/under and side-by-side shotguns. Such as if one is better suited for hunting big game and small game hunting, waterfowl and upland birds, and if one is better for recreational shooting such as skeet, trap, and sporting clay . "I’d also like to ask you why (if you do) prefer one shotgun over the other. Also if one of the two shotguns are easier to use, and if you feel one is more reliable then the other. "Also maybe if there are any other miscellaneous facts about double barrel shotguns that it would be smart to know about." Can anyone help this guy out? View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation website, a muzzleloader is a rifle or pistol loaded through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile and having a bore of .44 inches or larger. </p> <div id="asset-11993948" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"> <span class="adv-photo-large"> <img src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11993948-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2012-12-14-ll-muzzleloader2.JPG" height="264" width="380"> <span class="photo-data"> <span class="caption">Phil Stewart,of Clay, says he can shoot accurately out to 200 yards with his Thompson Center Omega muz´zleloader</span> <span class="byline">Lauren Long/The Post-Standard</span> </span> </span> <!-- FIXME - temporary fix with nbsp; for MT-1365 --> </div> <p>The late muzzleloading season for deer hunting in the Southern Zone began last week and ends Tuesday.</p> <p>The only firearm allowed is a muzzleloader. Shotguns and rifles are banned.<br /><br />The firearms used by muzzleloader hunters, though, do vary. There are the traditionalists with their flintlock and caplock rifles with iron sights. The vast majority, however, use the modern “inline” muzzleloaders with high-powered scopes.</p> <p>Just what is a muzzleloader?</p> <p>According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation website, it’s a rifle or pistol loaded through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile and having a bore of .44 inches or larger. You’re allowed to use fiber-optic sights or scopes on your firearm.</p> <p>The ammunition ranges from the round lead balls that were shot by the American colonists and the likes of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone to modern-day sabot slugs or bullets that look and act like they were shot out of a rifle.</p> <p>New York’s special muzzleloading season differs from Pennsylvania, where only traditional flintlocks are allowed.</p> <p>Mike Salter, 53, of Georgetown, is a traditionalist. He’s a member of the American Mountain Men, a group dedicated to get-togethers that re-enact the lives of western fur traders in the Rocky Mountains between 1820 and 1840. He said many of his group’s members shoot traditional muzzleloaders.</p> <div id="asset-11993877" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"> <span class="adv-photo-large"> <img src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11993877-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="muzzle1.JPG" height="506" width="380"> <span class="photo-data"> <span class="caption">Mike Salter, of Georgetown, poses with a 6-point buck that he shot in 2008 with his traditional muzzleloader. </span> <span class="byline">Submitted photo</span> </span> </span> <!-- FIXME - temporary fix with nbsp; for MT-1365 --> </div> <p>“I love the tie with history. The idea is that I’m hunting with something my great, great, great grandfather would have been comfortable with,” Salter said.</p> <p>With the flintlock and caplock rifles, a measured amount of gunpowder is poured down the barrel, followed by a round ball and a greased cloth patch. The hunter then uses a ramrod to pack the gunpowder, ball and patch down into the barrel.</p> <p>Flintlocks are fired when a piece of flint on the gun’s hammer strikes a hardened piece of metal on the barrel, resulting in a spark that sets off the gunpowder. Caplocks are fired when the gun’s hammer hits a little copper cap that sits on a nipple on the barrel, likewise creating a spark.</p> <p>“I find my muzzleloader efficient out to about 100 yards,” Salter said, adding that it takes him one to two minutes to reload.</p> <p>Phil Stewart, 78, of Clay, goes hunting this time of year with his Thompson Center Omega muzzleloader, which shoots .50-caliber bullets and has a 3x9 Leupold scope. The gun uses pre-measured gunpowder pellets and a percussion cap that the hammer hits to provide the spark.</p> <p>Like with the traditional firearms, a ramrod is used to jam the plastic-encased bullet and gunpowder pellets down the barrel.</p> <p>“I can reload it in 40 to 50 seconds easily,” he said.</p> <p>Stewart touted his gun’s accuracy and said it “shoots like a rifle.” He bristles, though, at the idea of New York, like Pennsylvania, banning modern-day muzzleloaders during the muzzleloading season.</p> <p>“I’m not hung up on tradition,” he said. “I don’t understand why the world should stop for me. And besides, I see the end of my hunting career coming shortly.”</p> <div id="asset-11993950" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"> <span class="adv-photo-large"> <img src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11993950-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2012-12-14-ll-muzzleloader3.JPG" height="271" width="380"> <span class="photo-data"> <span class="caption">Phil Stewart, of Clay, holds a .50-caliber bullet, three gunpowder pellets and a percussion cap that he uses to shoot his muzzleloader.</span> <span class="byline">Lauren Long/The Post-Standard</span> </span> </span> <!-- FIXME - temporary fix with nbsp; for MT-1365 --> </div> <p> Stewart said he’s been hunting for more than 60 years and turned to muzzleloaders “as a way to extend my hunting time in the fall.” He said he shoots accurately with his modern muzzleloader out to 200 yards.</p> <p>But as with any form of hunting, nothing is a sure thing.</p> <p>“The biggest animal I’ve shot is an elk at a private hunting preserve,” he said. As for deer, Stewart’s only taken one — a doe.</p> <p>“You often don’t see too many deer this time of year,” he said.</p> <p>Salter said he’s taken several deer with his muzzleloader, including a six-point buck and a doe with a live weight of 240 pounds.</p> <p>“I got them both up the hill from my house,” he said. “Some days you don’t see anything, and some days you’re blessed with the perfect shot and end up with meat in the freezer.”</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Send me their full names, URLs and explain in a sentence or two why you find them helpful and informative. </p> <p><br />Attention local birders to bear hunters. I’m interested in finding out what outdoors-related websites and blogs are viewed by you on a regular basis.</p> <p>Send me their full names, URLs and explain in a sentence or two why you find them helpful and informative.</p> <p> I can be reached at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>, by calling 470-6066, through Facebook at PS Outdoors and on Twitter at PSOutdoors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> In fact, in previous years tiger muskies have stuggled to survive in Otisco Lake. </p> <p>Otisco, N.Y. -- The state Department of Environmental Conservation, as of Oct. 1, increased the minimum size limit for tiger muskie caught in Otisco Lake and 30 to 36 inches.</p> <p>Was it a good move? It’s still being debated by some local anglers.</p> <p>The rationale, state Department of Environmental officials said, was that the new regulation would improve the status of tigers in the lake, hopefully turning the small Finger Lake into a destination waterway for tiger muskie anglers.</p> <p>The size limit change, however, was opposed by the Otisco Rod and Gun Club, as well as the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.</p> <p>Fred Funk, of Marcellus, who’s been fishing Otisco Lake since he was a child, said this week the new regulation will damage the lake’s fishery. Funk volunteers each year to help stock the lake with 2,500, two-year brown trout from the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery. The trout average 12 inches or more.</p> <p>“Any fish 12 inches long, that’s lunch for a tiger — whether it’s a trout, bass or walleye,” Funk said. “More and bigger tiger muskie? It’s like putting an alligator in a small pond of fish.”</p> <p>David Lemon, regional fisheries manager at the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Cortland office, said when the idea about changing the size limit was first floated publicly in 2011, there were negative and positive comments.</p> <p>In response to Funk’s comments, Lemon said, “We don’t expect predation by tiger muskies in Otisco will have a significant impact on other sport fish in the lake. Changing the size limit from 30 to 36 inches is not going to change that.”</p> <p>In regard to the stocked trout, Lemon said earlier this year that Otisco is “marginally suited for trout survival,” and suggested the possibility that more trout die as a result of warm summer temperatures (especially those caught and released by anglers) than those being gobbled up by muskies.</p> <p>Friday, Lemon said in previous years tiger muskies have struggled to survive in Otisco Lake.</p> <p>“It’s pretty clear from electro-shocking and information obtained from anglers, when walleye numbers were high, they were eating the freshly stocked tiger muskie,” he said.</p> <p>Lemon said it should also be noted the high walleye population of the late 1990s and early 2000s in the lake was established in the face of current stocking levels of tiger muskies.</p> <p>Tiger muskies are sterile hybrids, a cross between a muskie and a northern pike. Those stocked in Otisco, averaging 8-10 inches, are raised at the DEC’s South Otselic hatchery. <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The dredging project is expected to last four years. Once finished, Honeywell has committed to building a new, two-bay boat launch for trailored boats and a separate launch site for car-top craft (canoes, kayaks) at the location. </p> <p>With all the dredging that’s been going on this year at Onondaga Lake, will local duck hunters be able to use the unofficial boat launch at Solvay near the state Fairgrounds for the late waterfowl hunting season beginning later this month?</p> <p>Everything should be just ducky for the waterfowl hunters on the lake, said state Department of Environmental Conservation and Honeywell officials this week.</p> <p>DEC spokeswoman Stephanie Harrington and Victoria Streitfeld, of Honeywell, both said the lake dredging and capping operation has concluded for the season and there will be no Honeywell activity in the lake, or at area that includes the boat launch this winter. The land is owned by the state Department of Transportation.</p> <p>“Honeywell is removing the silt curtains and buoys for winter storage,” Harrington said.</p> <p>Harrington added areas where hunters have frequented in the past will be all be open.</p> <p>“Normal waterfowl regulations apply,” she said.</p> <p>Ron Falkowski, president of C.N.Y. Waterfowlers, was down at the Solvay launch area this week, checking things out. He said he talked to Honeywell officials and was assured they’ll “do nothing to keep us from launching our boats, such as stockpiling material.”</p> <p>He said the parking situation isn’t the best, but it’ll work.</p> <p>“It’s not impossible, we’ve had it a lot worse,” he said. “As long as everyone parks their boat trailers properly and uses a little common sense and courtesy so the next person has access.”</p> <p>The dredging project is expected to last four years. Once finished, Honeywell has committed to building a new, two-bay boat launch for trailored boats and a separate launch site for car-top craft (canoes, kayaks) at the location. It will be turned over to the state Department of Environmental Conservation to run.</p> <p>Plans also call for 60 parking spaces and a handicapped fishing ramp stretching into the lake.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This month, Mustad is closing its 54,000-square foot, Grant Avenue plant and moving everything to Miami. (L-F) Judy Shutter, Bonney Whipple, Linda Walawender, David Burtless, Gary Sherboneau and Steve Tagami are among the few remaining employees of Mustad on Grant Ave. in Auburn. The distribution center for the Norwegian-based company is closing its 54,000 square foot facility the end of this month. Stephen D. Cannerelli Stephen D. Cannerelli Caption: (L-F) Judy Shutter, Bonney Whipple, Linda Walawender, David Burtless, Gary Sherboneau and Steve Tagami are among the few remaining employees of Mustad on Grant Ave. in Auburn. The distribution center for the Norwegian-based company is closing its 54,000 square foot facility the end of this month. Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard Auburn, N.Y. -- Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard AMONGthe remaining employees at the Mustad facility in Auburn are Judy Shutter, Bonney Whipple, Linda Walawender, David Burtless, Gary Sherboneau and Steve Tagami. Mustad Heads South Facility began making hooks in Auburn in 1950s O. Mustad & Son has had its hooks in Auburn since 1952. That will end at the end of this month, when the Norwegian-based fishhook manufacturer closes its 54,000-square-foot distribution center off Grant Avenue. All the Auburn facility’s operations are being relocated to Miami. A large “For Sale” sign has been placed at the entrance to the business, which is distinguished by a 10-foot steel fishhook attached to the top of a huge slate boulder. The insides of the building have been stripped. All the historical photos and plaques that once hung on the walls of the plant “have been bubble-wrapped, packaged and are on their way to Miami,” said Steve Tagami, the plant’s sales manager. At one point, Mustad’s Auburn plant employed 50 workers. Today, 12 remain and only a couple will be relocating to Florida. Mustad, which up until earlier this year was a family-owned operation spanning six generations, starting making fishhooks in 1877. The company became a world leader, due in large part to its development of technology to make the fishhooks by machine, Tagami said. The company established itself in Auburn in 1952 by buying out one of its competitors, the Auburn Fish Hook Co., which was located off Clark Street near St. Francis Church. The company made hooks in Auburn through the 1960s and then moved into packaging and distribution. David Burtless, who heads the plant’s shipping department, began working at Mustad in 1973. There were only seven employees at the time. In 1976, Mustad decided to turn the Auburn facility into its sole packaging and distribution center for fishhooks sold in the American and Canadian markets. The workforce soon grew to 50 employees. “Hooks would come in boxes of 100,000 to 200,000 in giant boxes and bags,” Burtless said. He added that initially the hooks were packaged by hand, but later most everything was done by machines. In 1978, the company moved its operations to Grant Avenue, on the site of a former Bargain Center, and soon expanded. The giant fishhook at the entrance to the plant was put up in 1995. Like many manufacturers, Mustad began looking for ways to cut costs and keep the company financially secure. Today, Mustad hooks are manufactured in China and the packaging is done in the Dominican Republic, Tagami said. Mustad was purchased last year by NLI-Utvikling A.S., a Norwegian private investment company. The company has since changed its name to Ard. Both Burtless and Tagami this week looked back fondly on the Auburn plant’s heyday. They said they’re proud of the company’s products and its international reputation for quality. Tagami noted the high-quality metal wire used to manufacture the hooks is still made in Norway. “Mustad makes the tiniest fishhooks for trout fishing, up to the big hooks anglers use for sharks,” Tagami said, adding the company makes 20,000 types of hooks. “We also made grappling hooks used by fire departments and others for (human) body recoveries in the water,” he said. Burtless remembers the steady business the company enjoyed locally when snagging for salmon was allowed at the Salmon River and other Lake Ontario tributaries. “We sold so many treble hooks back then,” he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The current regulations, which limit their use to hunting for big game during the regular firearms and muzzleloading seasons, expire on Dec. 31. Those who advocate expanding the use of crossbows for hunting in this state have their fingers crossed. Current regulations, which limit their use to hunting for big game during the regular firearms and muzzleloading seasons, expire on Dec. 31. Crossbow advocates are hoping that a new crossbow bill, which would extend the current regulations for two years, gets vetoed. The legislation arrived on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk earlier this month. The bill, A10583A, was authored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, D-Suffolk County, and is endorsed by the New York Bowhunters. Sweeney’s bill would do away with the special DEC-endorsed youth firearms hunt during the Columbus Day weekend, which took place for the first time this fall. The main issue boils down to this: Crossbow hunters want to hunt during bowhunting season, which precedes the firearms season. Bowhunters say they’re not against crossbows — they just don’t want to share the woods with them during that time. Rick McDermott, of Pulaski, president and founder of the 660-member N.Y. Crossbow Coalition, wants Sweeney’s bill vetoed. His group would like to see legislation that would allow the use of crossbows during the bowhunting season and that would hand the regulatory authority over crossbows to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “Currently, crossbows are only allowed to be used to hunt deer and bear,” McDermott said. “You can’t use one to hunt turkeys, bowfish for carp, small game, or even varmints (such as woodchucks).” To find out more about the Crossbow Coalition, <a href="http://www.nycrossbowcoalition.com">see the group's website or call McDermott at 882-1540. To get the other side, see the New York Bowhunters website . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> As of this afternoon, Toggenburg Mountain in Fabius, Song Mountain in Tully and Labrador Mountain in Truxton were not open, according to their websites. </p> <p>Central New York skiers and snowboarders are hoping for snow — soon.</p> <p>As of this afternoon (Dec. 13), Toggenburg Mountain in Fabius, Song Mountain in Tully and Labrador Mountain in Truxton were not open, according to their websites.</p> <p>“We’re grooming trails right now,” said Peter Harris, owner/operator of Song Mountain. “I’ll make the call by 10 a.m. Friday morning as to whether we’ll be open this Saturday.”</p> <p>Greek Peak, near Marathon, opened a couple of trails on Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of December, but has been closed since. They’d like to open by Dec. 22, a staff member said.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The village expects soon to receive state and federal environmental approval for the plan. The darting could begin by 2014. HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (AP) — A suburban New York City village is considering controlling the rising deer population by darting them with a contraceptive. Hastings-on-Hudson officials say that volunteers will begin gathering preliminary research for the birth control project early next year. Newsday Westchester reports that the project would keep the animals from reproducing for up to three years. The village expects soon to receive state and federal environmental approval for the plan. The darting could begin by 2014. The project would be led by Tufts University veterinary expert Allen Rutberg. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It was one helluva of a deer," said his son, Chris, who was hunting with him at the time. Submitted photo Ken Ford, 82, of Syracuse, shot this impressive 9-point buck Nov. 13 in Franklin County in the Adirondacks. The deer weighed 218 pounds after being field dressed. "It was one helluva of a deer," said his son, Chris, who was hunting with him at the time. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He shot it Nov. 17. His brother, Jim, was with hunting with him at the time. Submitted photo Bob Vitkus, of Fayetteville, poses with an impressive 10-point buck he shot Nov. 17. He was hunting in DeRuyter, said his brother, Jim, who was hunting with him that day. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

As weather gets colder, the die-hard muskie fishermen on the St. Lawrence River get more determined. This is the time of year when they usually catch big ones. CNY FISHING FORECAST All persons aboard a pleasure vessel (boat, canoe, kayak) less than 21 feet long must wear a personal flotation device from now until May 1. Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER The river has been up this week. Good baits are egg sacs (blue mesh), egg-imitating flies and plastics, trout beads (8mm) and streamers such as egg-sucking leeches and stonefly patterns in sizes 4-6. The upper fly section is closed for the season on Nov. 30. It will open on April 1. OSWEGO RIVER River level is up. There’s still lots of steelhead and brown trout being caught – particularly by the drift boat guys. Good baits continue to be egg sacs, beads and egg-imitating flies. The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device zones below the Varick Dam. ONEIDA LAKE Shoreline fishing for walleyes continues to be slow, but will continue until the ice forms. Few perch anglers have been out lately. Nothing new to report on that front. CAYUGA LAKE Yellow perch continue to be taken on the north end of the lake on fathead minnows. Landlocked salmon are being caught from the surface down to about 80 feet on spoons and stickbaits (minnow-imitating plugs). SENECA LAKE Anglers are cashing in on the perch action at the lake’s southern end off the pier. Successful anglers are using both fathead minnows and oak leaf grubs, alternating back and forth. Lots of nice- sized perch, some in the 15-17-inch range, being taken. Brown and landlocked salmon are still in Catharine Creek. Try egg sacks and worms. Anglers are also catching northern pike on the southeast corner of the lake at Clute Park, casting Little Cleos, Mepps and Rooster Tails. OWASCO LAKE Yellow perch fishing continues to be good, with fathead minnows working well. OTISCO LAKE No new fishing activity to report. The current lake level (it’s low) has made launching larger boats tricky for some anglers. SKANEATELES LAKE Shore fishing for rainbows continues to be slow. A few are being caught with worm-marshmallow rigs, but overall it’s been a slow fall. Yellow perch are biting on fathead minnows. SODUS BAY Yellow perch fishing continues to be good. They are being taken in 25 to 35 feet of water. Jigs tipped with spikes or small minnows are working well. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Muskie anglers continue to be out this time of year, hoping to hook a big one. Many are using Believer lures. Other anglers are trying their luck at yellow perch and northern pike. The water level continues to be down more than usual for this time of year. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR The docks have been removed from Dorchester Park. Panfishing continues to be very good lately on the reservoir, with crappies and yellow perch being taken along the old river channel on small jigs or spoons tipped with spikes. Some bluegills are also being taken mixed in with the crappie. Walleye fishing continues to be slow. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It is the largest deer I have ever shot." Submitted photo Chris Read, of Baldwinsville, shot this nice 10-point buck Nov. 18 in the town of Danby. He wrote: "I had seen it the day before but did not feel I had a clean shot at it. Fortunately, the next day I saw it again and made a clean shot, he dropped 25 yards after being shot in the heart. It is the largest deer I have ever shot. Here's the numbers: 10 points (an additional two had been broken off) 18 3/4 inch inside spread 22 inch greatest spread 10 inch tip to tip "My hunting partner Bob Dodge and I had to drag it 9/10ths of a mile to the road. Fortunately we had a snow sled. We guessed the weight at 180 -200 pounds." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have a unique, lesson-learning or downright funny outdoors tale? Send it David Figura at [email protected] Michael Salter, of Georgetown, poses with the six-point deer he shot with his muzzleloader a couple of years ago. On the deer are Salter's powder horn and his "possibles, " or shooting bag with everything needed to hunt. Submitted photo Here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoors pages in The Post-Standard. Friday: Main: Mustad U.S.A. Inc., in Auburn, one of two distribution centers in North America for the Norwegian fish hook maker, is closing at the end of the month. I write about the history of the 54,000-square foot facility. The company first came to Auburn in 1952. Column: What's the update on crossbow legislation? I also write about whether duck hunting will take place on the south shore of Onondaga Lake this winter with the Honeywell dredging project. Sunday: Main piece: From old fashion muzzleloaders and long rifles to state-of-the art muzzleloaders. They'll all allowed in the special muzzleloading season which kicked off Monday and goes to Dec. 18. ((I could use a little help on this.. I'm looking to speak to those hunters who only use traditional flintlocks/long rifles, as well as hunters who use the latest and greatest muzzleloaders on the market. Call me at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected]) Column: Still considering my options.. ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.. FIGURA ON FACEBOOK: For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Groce said his hunting buddy has been trying to get this deer for the past two years. "He nicknamed it 'The Monster.' " Groce and "The Monster" Submitted photo Steve Groce, of Sennett, poses with a monster, 12-point buck he shot Nov. 30 in the town of Owasco. Its antlers had a rough score of 156 on the Boon and Crockett scale, he said. It dressed ouat 185 pounds. A taxidermist who's handling the trophy mount estimated the deer was about 5 1/2 to 6 years old. He shot from 35 to 40 yards with a 30-06 rifle. Groce was hunting with his buddy Keith Ahart on Ahart's land called Ahart's Acres. "He's been trying to get this deer for the past two years," Groce said. "He nicknamed it "The Monster." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It was the shortest, yet most exhilarating hunt of my life." Submitted photo Richard G Capria, shot this impressive buck on opening day of the Southern Zone regular deer hunting season in Ira. He wrote: " I wanted to send you this picture of the biggest buck I have ever shot in my 30 years of hunting. "It was Sunday of opening weekend and I had gotten to my spot at approximately 7:05am. I had almost immediately heard some movement to my East and immediately turned myself to get a better shooting and listening position. "As soon as I moved I spotted the animal coming in right to me with his nose to the ground. Fortunately for me he never winded me and I shot once and he fell right where he stood at approximately 7:09am. "The shortest yet most exhilarating hunt of my life. 8 points approximately 185lbs and just over 22" spread. Taken in Cayuga county Town of Ira Sunday 11/18/12 with a Browning Sweet 16 shotgun from approximately 75 yards." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is collecting rabbit heads from hunters east of the Hudson River. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is collecting rabbit heads from hunters east of the Hudson River for a research project. The agency wants rabbit heads from Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia or Rensselaer County, or in the Sterling Forest State Park in Orange County. Researchers want to examine the skulls to learn more about the distribution of various cottontail species. The common eastern cottontail and less familiar New England cottontail are almost identical. The only sure way to accurately identify species is to sample DNA or examine the skull. More details can be found on DEC’s New England Cottontail Survey website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This contest is open to coyote hunters across the state. The grand prize of $2,000 will be awarded for the overall heaviest coyote. Other prizes will be given as well. The following is a press release: The 6th Annual Coyote Hunt Contest, sponsored by the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County and open to hunters across the state, will be held on Feb. 8, 9, 10. The grand prize of $2,000 will be awarded for the overall heaviest coyote; $200 daily prize for the heaviest coyote each day, an extra $100 prize for the junior hunter age 12 to 15 years old and an extra $100 for the female hunter weighing in the heaviest coyote. $100 each will be awarded for all the other coyotes weighed in during the 3-day contest. This contest is open to hunters across the state and applies to coyotes hunted & taken only in New York State. The early registration entry fee is $30. Besides the cash prizes, the entry fee includes a free banquet dinner and a free $5.00 three gun raffle ticket. Entry fees must be postmarked by Jan. 25, 2013. A late registration fee of $35.00 will then be accepted until 7 p.m. on Feb. 5. Everyone wishing to participate in the hunt or attend the dinner pays the same price at time of registration. For registration and all the rules of the 3-day, coyote hunt contest, contact the Federation Coyote Hunt Secretary, Kay Danchak, 122 Jaketown Road, Swan Lake, NY 12783 or call Kay or Jack @ 845-482-4987. Applications can be downloaded from the federation's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was a 6-pointer. Submitted photo Sean Kelly, 16, of Clay, poses with his 6-point buck that he shot on the last weekend of the regular deer hunting season. It was shot in the Town of Onondaga on Saturday, said his mother, Marie Kelly. , View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> It could have come from a local breeding population of wild boar in the north Cortland, southern Onondaga area -- but that's unlikely, said a spokesman from the U.S.D.A.'s Wildlife Services. </p> <p>Early last month, a wild boar was shot in East Utica by city police officers.</p> <p>Sgt. Steve Hauck said the pig became aggressive toward the officers and they had to shoot and kill the 170-pound animal.</p> <p>“I’ve never seen anything like this in my time here,” said Hauck, according to a story in the Utica Observer Dispatch. “It’s pretty crazy.”</p> <p>The boar’s carcass was turned over to a state Department of Environmental Conservation officer and later a blood sample was taken by a U.S. Department of Agriculture staffer to test for diseases.</p> <p>Shortly after, Steve Lakeman, the environmental conservation officer who handled the carcass, took it to the Oneida County Solid Waste facility to be disposed. The source of the boar, Lakeman said late last week, is still “undetermined and under investigation.” </p> <p>Initially, there was some speculation that the Utica boar might have come from the nearest, wild breeding population, which is on the border of Onondaga and Cortland counties – the result of escapees from a local hunting preserve more than a decade ago.</p> <p>Anything is possible, but that’s probably not the source of the Utica boar, according to Allan Gosser, assistant state director for the U.S. D. A.’s Wildlife Services.</p> <p>“More likely, it came from a nearby (private hunting preserve),” Gosser said. “This one had no ear tags and was definitely of Eurasian descent. It had no domestic characteristics.”</p> <p>According to the DEC’s 2012-2013 hunting guide, feral swine are not native to this state “and are a harmful and destructive invasive species.” They come for several sources.</p> <p>Feral swine can initially be regular pigs that have been turned loose by their owners. Another source is Eurasian wild boar that have escaped from private hunting preserves, or intentionally introduced by those who’d like to hunt them in this state. In some cases, there’s hybrid offspring out there of the domestic and wild animals.</p> <p>Feral swine, which can have razor-sharp tusks and grow to more than 400 pounds, compete with deer and turkeys for food, eat the eggs of native bird species and have been known to destroy crops and kill and eat young livestock. They also carry several diseases that can be transmitted to livestock or humans and can cause all sorts of environmental damage.</p> <p>At this point, the DEC is “currently reviewing strategies “ for preventing the establishment and spread of these animals, according to the DEC hunting guide. All that’s needed to hunt them is a small game license. They can be baited and taken year-round, night or day. There’s no bag limit.</p> <p>Seen a wild boar or feral pig? Call the DEC’s Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Extension 247 or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]. state.ny.us">[email protected]. state.ny.us</a>.<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Everything from Venison Wellington to venison spiedies. </p> <p>Ok, you’ve shot a deer, taken it to the local meat processor or processed it yourself.</p> <p>Your refrigerator is stuffed with various vacuum-packed, cuts of venison – everything from hamburger grade meat up to tasty, tender backstraps. Now what?</p> <p>Readers of this blog recently sent in a wide variety of tasty venison recipes to help the hunger hunter and his family out. Here’s a few to try out:<br /> <br /><strong>VENISON WELLINGTON </strong><br /><strong>Ingredients</strong>: <br />- 1 venison backstrap 8-inches long, all silver skin removed; olive oil for searing 2 tablespoons. <br />- 1 package Pepperidge Farm puff pastry; thaw one, freeze the other <br />- 1/2 cup chopped shallots <br />- 1/2 cup chopped baby bella mushrooms <br />- 1 clove garlic finely chopped <br />- 1 pint heavy cream at room temp <br />- 1/3 stick butter <br />- Cracked pepper and thyme to taste <br />- 1/8 cup Riesling wine’</p> <p>Sear venison on all sides and ends completely with olive oil in a pan, using tongs to turn the meat. Set side to let juices set up in meat. Using the same pan, add butter and sautee shallots till soft. Add mushrooms and garlic. Sautee 3-4 minutes. Add Riesling. Turn down to low heat, unwrap pastry and wrap around backstrap so that the seam is down. Place on no- stick foil in oven at 375 degrees till pastry is golden brown. Slowly add the cream to shallot mixture and add spices. Remove pastry/backstrap and let set for 5 minutes. Slice with electric knife on a 45-degree angle and drizzle shallot sauce over each serving. This is best accompanied with a Syrah and a root vegetable (parsnips, turnips) as a side dish.<br /><em>- Contributed by Tom Adessa, of Auburn</em> </p> <p><strong>VENISON SPIEDIES</strong> <br /><strong>Ingredients:</strong> <br />2 cup vegetable oil <br />1 cup vinegar (white vinegar works well, but tend to do 1/2c red wine and 1/2white. or whatever you have on hand) <br />4 teaspoon salt and pepper <br />2 medium-sized onions, chopped <br />3 cloves garlic chopped (I normally use 6-10, but I’m a garlic nut) <br />2 tablespoons of oregano <br />4 teaspoons of paprika <br />1 pkg. of dry Italian dressing mix <br />Dash of rosemary <br />Dash of hot sauce (needs to be a flavorful hot sauce, not just packed with heat so I generally used Franks Red Hot) <br />Cubed venison (use roast or backstrap)</p> <p> Combine all the ingredients and chill for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator. After they’ve marinated, put them on kabob sticks and cook on the grill (my preferred method), or fry in a hot cast iron skillet with butter and garlic. (Don’t over-cook). Serve as bite- sized pieces, or the traditional Southern Tier way by serving on slices of Italian bread.<br />- <em>Contributed by Andrew de Laubell of Ithaca</em></p> <p><strong>3-MINUTE, STIR FRY MEAL</strong></p> <p> This is a good one for someone in a hurry. Cut the meat into thin pieces. Take a package or Ramen soup mix (beef or pork) noodles and boil the noodles for 1 minute. Save the seasoning package for later.</p> <p>Cut a stalk of celery and half of an onion into 1- inch chunks. Place on frying pan with some oil on high heat. Cook for only 1 minute, it should be very underdone. Add the venison.</p> <p>Cook for 2 minutes, drain and add the noodles, half of the seasoning mix, a good dash of teriyaki sauce (or soy sauce) and a splash of wine if you have some. Cook for another minute or two. Enjoy.<br /><em><br />- Contributed by Stephen Wowelko, of Syracuse</em></p> <p><a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/venison_recipes/index.html"><br />See more venison recipes submitted by readers. </a> <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Although it's been slow, shoreline fishing for walleyes on Oneida Lake will continue until the ice forms. CNY FISHING FORECAST All persons aboard a pleasure vessel (boat, canoe, kayak) less than 21 feet long must wear a personal flotation device from now until May 1. Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER The steelhead bite has slowed down with the snow and cold weather. Fish are still being caught throughout river but anglers have had to work harder for them. Good baits are egg sacs (blue mesh), egg imitating flies and plastics, trout beads (8mm) and streamers such as egg sucking leeches and stonefly patterns in sizes 4-6. If not catching fish keep covering water looking for active fish. As the water cools down the deeper pools (like the School House and Trestle) are good spots to try. The Upper Fly section closed for the season on Nov. 30. It will reopen on April 1. OSWEGO RIVER There are steelhead and brown trout being caught in the river. Drift boat anglers have been doing better with the slightly higher water. Good baits continue to be egg sacs, beads, and egg imitating flies. The bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory personal flotation device zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. ONEIDA LAKE Conditions have been cold and windy on the lake lately. Shoreline fishing for walleyes will continue until the ice forms. However, water is low and that has limited the available fishing areas. Few, if any perch anglers out lately. Nothing new to report from that area. CAYUGA LAKE Yellow perch are being taken in the north end on fathead minnows. Landlocked salmon are being caught on the lake from the surface down to about 80 feet on spoons and stickbaits (minnow- imitating plugs). SENECA LAKE Fishing off the pier has been very good during the day for brown trout and Atlantic salmon. Anglers fishing there latter in the afternoon and after dark are catching lake trout. Egg sacs and small minnows have been working for both. Yellow perch are also being caught from the pier and by Painted Rock on small minnows. If fishing around Painted Rock, look in the 30 to 40 foot range. OWASCO LAKE Yellow perch fishing has been good with fathead minnows working well. OTISCO LAKE No new fishing activity to report. SKANEATELES LAKE Shore fishing for rainbows has been slow. A few are being caught with worm marshmallow rigs, but overall it's been a slow fall. Yellow perch are biting on fathead minnows. SODUS BAY Yellow perch fishing continues to be good with perch moving a little shallower and are being taken in 20 to 30 feet of water. Jigs tipped with spikes or small minnows are working well. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Muskie anglers are out this time of year, hoping to hook a big one. Many are using Believer lures. Other anglers are trying their luck at yellow perch and northern pike. River level is really down, more than usual for this time of year. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR The reservoir has returned to normal levels after being drawn down for maintenance. The docks have been removed from Dorchester Park. Panfishing has been very good on the reservoir, with crappies and yellow perch being taken along the old river channel on small jigs or spoons tipped with spikes. Some bluegills are also being taken mixed in with the crappie. Walleye fishing continues to be slow. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have a good venison recipe you'd like to share? Send it to [email protected]. Tom Kolceski photo Here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoor pages in The Post-Standard: FRIDAY: Main piece: So you have your deer, it's been processed -- now what? I run several mouth-water recipes submitted by readers.. and put more on my outdoors blog. Column: So, what was the origin of that wild boar shot last month in Utica? SUNDAY: Main piece: Bucks will be bucks. A Geddes resident sent in some eye-opening photos of bucks sparring with their antlers in his front yard. Why do deer do that this time of year? Column: It's the final day of the regular firearms season in the Southern Zone.. some tend to play fast and loose with DMPs (doe tags). Be careful. It could result in a ticket if you don't follow the law. In coming weeks, I'd like to write about the following outdoors activities. If you know someone who does these activities, contact me ASAP: -- Anyone who has arrowed or shot a wild boar this hunting season. -- Someone who's willing to talk about the history and current situation concerning the floating duck blinds at the end of Cayuga Lake that are put out every year. - Anyone who would make a good candidate for The Post-Standard's Heroes of Conservation Award. Questions? See the previous story I wrote about this. ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First, it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.. FIGURA ON FACEBOOK: For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, which I check several times daily for feedback and story ideas. I also post personal fishing and hunting and other outdoors-related photos from time to time and I ask members to do the same. When you join, please be sure and hit the "like" button. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The official score cannot be determined until 60 days after the kill. It’s possible that after the official scoring that this could be one of the largest bucks taken in Oswego County in many years. Submitted photo Ray Swope, poses with his monster buck he took he shot Nov. 28 in New Haven. He wrote: "A close friend ( Bob Ball) and I were hunting together in the town of New Haven, Oswego County and decided to sit at opposite ends of a relatively new piece of property. "I was lucky enough to see and shoot this trophy of a lifetime. The buck is a main frame 6 x 6 with a drop tine on his left side making it 13 all together. "The deer dressed out at 165 on certified scales and un-officially green scores a gross total of 190 6/8” and nets after deductions 181 3/8” "The official score cannot be determined until 60 days after the kill. It’s possible that after the official scoring that this could be one of the largest bucks taken in Oswego County in many years." Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog