HuntingNY-News

Follow me on Twitter at @davidjfigura Opening day of this year's trout fishing season is less than a week away. I'm trying some new things in covering this year's opener. First, I plan on writing a story beforehand on Open Day memories and traditions. Do you have an opening day tradition, or an amazing, funny or bizarre memory of a past opening day? Send your stories (keep them under 300 words) to me at [email protected] by noon Friday. I'll compile the best for this coming Sunday's paper. Meanwhile, I'm working on an update on the stocking of trout prior to opening day. As part of that effort, Editor Steve Billmyer, a die-hard angler himself, is helping me to compile a data base that will appear on syracuse.com that will feature stocking information from the state and Onondaga County on every stream one might want to fish. This should be an invaluable resource, not only listing what kind of fish are stocked in each stream, but how many. Other trout-related stories that I'm writing before the opener include: -Know the law (a wrapup of regulations local anglers should be aware of) -An update on the lower section of Nine Mile Creek. Will it be open for anglers this year? -A poll of what kind of fishing (fly fishing, bait fishing, lure fishing) anglers plan to do opening day. - A wrapup of the expected weather and temperatures opening day from our weather reporter Glenn Coin. On opening day, I plan the following stories: -I'm now on Twitter. Follow me @davidjfigura. On opening day, I plan to tweet every 15-20 minutes or so, beginning at 6 a.m. (or possibly earlier). My tweets will appear on my outdoors blog on syracuse.com. Want to join in the fun? Use the hashtag of #cnyfishing and your tweets will appear on my blog as well. Questions this? Call me at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected]. -A wrapup of stream conditions and how folks are doing by lunch-time, accompanied by a video and a photo slideshow. Am I missing anything? Contact me at [email protected]. One last thing. Good luck to everyone who gets out Tuesday morning. Other stories I'm working on this week and next include: -A precede to this weekend's "Birds of Onondaga Lake" photo exhibit, which will show some eye-opening shots taken by local wildlife photographers. -I'm attending this weekend's Big East Camping and Outdoors show at Turning Stone Casino in Verona on Saturday. I plan on doing a video of 'Gator Boy' Jimmy Riffle (from the Animal Planet TV show "Gator Boys") Saturday that will appear on syracuse.com later that day. Apart from that, I'll be seated at a table meeting with readers from noon to 5 p.m. Stop by and say hello. Don 't worry, I don't bite. -An update on the Seneca Army Depot/white deer situation. -Late season steelhead fishing on the Salmon River. - Should hunters in Onondaga County be allowed to hunt deer with rifles? (Many surrounding counties allow it). - An update on the state's war against wild boars. -An update on the joint city/county deer task force. ( I hear a meeting is being planned for sometime in April. Stay tuned.) 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. FIGURA ON TWITTER Follow me @davidjfigura. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The fish measured about 25 inches. Ice fisherman Bob Twichell, of Fayetteville, was out on Skaneateles Lake recently when he caught this nice lake trout through the ice. The fish had Twichell's lure (the light green one), plus another from another unlucky angler. "It looked like it the other lure had been in there for a while," he said. "It looked home-made. It was a big hook with dark, green yarn wrapped around it. It went right through its nose." Twichell said the fish was about 25 inches long. "We did a little surgery and released him to go eat some more," he said. Editor's note: That dark green, home-made lure. Look familiar? I'd like to talk to the angler who made it and hear his (or her) story about how it got in the fish's mouth. Contact me at 470-6066 or email [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

David Figura, outdoors writer for syracuse.com/The Post-Standard, will be at the show to meet with readers from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Verona, N.Y. -- The Big East Camping and Outdoor Show is set this weekend at the Turning Stone Casino Event Center. Jimmy Riffle, of the Animal Planet TV show, "Gator Boys," once again headlines the celebrities scheduled to appear. This year's show features exhibits, seminars and a wide variety of activities including a big buck display and trout pond. Attendees will be able to check out the latest in boats, campers, RVs, along with hunting and fishing gear. Hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $9 at the door; kids 6-13, $3 and children 5 and under free. Get $1 off with a Turning Stone Diamond Card or Price Chopper Advantage Card. Riffle is scheduled to appear at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. David Figura, outdoors writer for syracuse.com/The Post-Standard, will be at the show to meet with readers from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Stop by and say hello. Don't worry, he won't bite. For more, see bigeastshows.com/. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It measured 23 1/2 inches. Kristi Pearage, 14, of Thornhurst, Pa., holds up a huge walleye she caught while ice fishing on Oneida Lake on March 8. It was caught in South Bay. She said it measured 23 1/2 inches and weighed six pounds, 4 ounces. Nice fish. The season closed March 15. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There is no charge for admission. A reception will follow the lecture Courtesy of SUNY ESF The following is a DEC press release:Donald J. Stewart, an ESF professor who recently discovered a new species of the giant arapaima native to South America, will present a lecture tonight about conservation efforts for these air-breathing fishes, which are flagship species for diverse Amazonian ecosystems. Stewart's presentation will be the third Dale L. Travis Lecture, supported by a gift from a 1959 graduate of ESF. The lecture will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Center on the ESF campus. Stewart's work focuses on ecology, conservation and management of freshwater fishes and their ecosystems. He has worked with arapaimaina in Guyana and Brazil since 2006. The fish are significant ecologically in addition to being a major food source for people who hunt them. Overfishing has depleted the numbers of arapaima around human population centers. Communities have established programs to manage populations, but knowledge of the fishes' biology is sparse. Stewart's integrative research program encompasses learning more about the movement, diet, growth, reproduction, taxonomy, and population genetics of arapaima species to help shape management and to conserve their diversity. There is no charge for admission. A reception will follow the lecture. Parking will be available on campus. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Pictures are also welcome. What's your most eye-opening, funniest or heart-warming memory of the opening day of trout fishing season? What traditions do you keep each year on that day? Send your stories about memories and traditions to me at [email protected] and keep your stories to 300 words or less. Pictures are also welcome. Deadline is noon Friday. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Despite the assurances, critics of the DEC and the developer remain concerned. </p> <p><br />Altmar, N.Y. - There's no truth to the rumor that a wealthy developer plans to eliminate the public fishing rights along a popular stretch of the upper Salmon River, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and a spokesman for the developer said this week.</p> <p>Despite the assurances, critics of the DEC and the developer remain concerned.</p> <p>The area in question is on the north side of the river, stretching about 500 yards from a bridge in Altmar, which marks the lower end of the river's fly fishing-only area, and continuing downstream to Ellis Cove.</p> <p>"There's no truth to that matter," said David Lemon, regional fisheries manager for the DEC's Region 7. "The public fishing rights along that stretch is ours forever and it's not going to change."</p> <p>Tom Fernandez, a spokesman for the Woodbine Group, the Syracuse-based developer mentioned in the rumor, is well aware of the controversy that it has stirred up. It was prompted by Woodbine's purchase last fall of two acres on the north side adjacent to the Altmar bridge last fall for $40,000. The land, though, has no shoreline property.</p> <p>Woodbine recently opened the deluxe Tailwater Lodge on the grounds of the former Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Elementary School on the river's south shore along the stretch. The lodge privatized and closed to the public about 1,500 feet of shoreline fishing on the former school district property. </p> <p>Could something similar happen on the north side? Is last fall's land purchase a foreshadowing of what's to come?</p> <p>"There's been a couple of websites have been going nuts about this. It's not true," Fernandez said. "If we tried to do something like that it would be public relations nightmare."</p> <p>James Kirtland, of Pulaski, co-founder of the Lake Ontario Tributary Anglers Council (LOTAC) and a member of the Oswego River Guides Association, is skeptical. The rumor started as a posting on the LOTAC website. </p> <p>"Everyone in the area would love to see something from the DEC in print about this -- a promise," he said. "It only takes one judge to overturn anything these days."</p> <p>Mark Sabia, president of the Oswego County River Guides Association, added that the DEC's public fishing rights along the stretch "are not set in stone. There has been litigation about this going on for 10 years," he said.</p> <p>Lemon responded that Sabia is confusing the public fishing rights issue with ongoing negotiations concerning transference of the north shore property's ownership from its current owner, National Grid, to the state. </p> <p>He said the public fishing rights and conservation easements were successfully secured by the state in late 1993. Public fishing rights are permanent easements purchased by the DEC from willing landowners, giving anglers the rights to fish and walk along the bank, usually a 33-foot strip on one or both sides of a stream, according to the DEC website.</p> <p>The rumor about Woodbine, according to the LOTAC website, originated from "an email from a credible person with knowledge of the situation" who noted anglers stood to lose public access on the north side of the river "just like we lost it on the south side."</p> <p>"National Grid owns all the other land/lots on the north side, except the New York State-owned parking lot. If somebody gets in bed with National Grid the PFRs (public fishing rights) will be lost to Ellis Cove," the email stated. "This is urgent, and immediate steps are being taken. The DEC states PFRs are 'permanent,' but they already dropped the ball on the south side and powerful lawyers, etc., can surprise the public."</p> <p>Kirtland said the email came from John Wilson, of Syracuse, who has a "fair amount of information about the Woodbine Group." The LOTAC website urges readers to contact Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Ken Lynch, the regional director for the DEC's Region 7. Wilson could not be reached for comment.</p> <p>Lemon stressed the main difference between the situations on the north and south shores of the river along the stretch is that the DEC never owned the public fishing rights on the south side on the school property - but does own them for the entire span on the north side on the National Grid land.</p> <p>Kirtland said the privatization and exclusion of the public from prime fishing stretches along the Salmon River has been proceeding at an alarming rate in recent years.</p> <p>"We just don't want to see things turn into a European situation where wealthy landowners own the shore and you have to pay dearly to fish it," he said. " The Salmon River has always been a place where the average guy can fish for trophy salmon and trout and have access with a state fishing license."</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He gives new meaning to the phrase, "bird dog." Jane Kozlosky, of New Hope, sent in the above photo of her dog with the following comments: "Hi, Dave, This is not the typical hunting story. While walking our black lab, Misha, this winter, he bolted into a stand of pines, leaped in the air and took down a wild turkey. What a bird dog! Misha was rescued from the Auburn SPCA in 2012. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The final waterfowl hunting season dates will be posted on the DEC website and announced by news release in late August. The following is a DEC press release: The state's waterfowl hunters are invited to submit recommendations to regional Waterfowl Hunter Task Forces for the dates of the fall 2014 duck hunting seasons by April 4, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today DEC will evaluate the task force recommendations in setting waterfowl seasons, which must comply with federal rules. "DEC encourages public input and feedback to help in many aspects of wildlife management and that includes determining the waterfowl hunting season dates that are most advantageous for sportsmen and women," Martens said. New York is divided into five waterfowl hunting zones: Western, Southeastern, Northeastern, Lake Champlain and Long Island. DEC recently appointed task forces for each zone (except Lake Champlain) to solicit recommendations for the fall 2014 hunting seasons, including opening and closing dates, split seasons and a special hunting weekend for junior hunters (hunters ages 12-15). Each task force includes representatives from the New York State Conservation Council, established waterfowl hunting organizations and individual waterfowl hunters who provide input from diverse points of view. The recommended dates must be within federal guidelines established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). For fall 2014, DEC expects the USFWS to allow a 60-day duck season, split into no more than two segments per zone, opening no earlier than Sept. 27, 2014 and closing no later than Jan. 25, 2015. Waterfowl hunters can participate in the season-setting process by providing duck season suggestions to any task force member on or before April 4, 2014. Names and contact information for all task force members are listed in alphabetical order on DEC's website. Comments can be provided to DEC's Bureau of Wildlife by mail, telephone or e-mail, with e-mail being the preferred method at [email protected]. The task forces will meet in April, and DEC plans to announce tentative duck hunting season dates in June. Input on hunting seasons for other migratory game birds, including Canada geese, snow geese, brant and woodcock, may also be submitted to any member of DEC's season-setting team. However, due to greater uncertainty about federal regulations for those species, decisions and tentative dates will probably not be known until summer. Descriptions of New York State's waterfowl hunting zones can be found on the DEC website and are listed in DEC's Waterfowl Hunting Seasons and Regulations brochure. The final waterfowl hunting season dates will be posted on the DEC website and announced by news release in late August. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Proceeds from the 6th annual School House to White House 5K Run in Pulaski Sunday will help offset the Pulaski Marching Band's trip to Washington, D.C. this July 4. This weekend's Central New York running schedule offers two races - the Puddle Stomp 10K in Cortland on Saturday and the School House to White House 5K Run Sunday in Pulaski. The Puddle Stomp 10K kicks off at 9 a.m. with a 3K race. The main event, the 10K, begins at 10 a.m. The starting line is at 1088 Commons Avenue in Cortland. For more information, see cnyrunning.com, or contact race director Jarrod Kolodziejczk at 439-8640 or by emailing [email protected]. The 6th annual School House to White House 5K begins at 12:30 p.m. with a fun run in front of the Pulaski Fire Hall at 12 Lake Street. The 5K begins at 1. Proceeds from the race will help offset the Pulaski Marching Band's trip to Washington, D.C. scheduled for July 4. The band travels to Washington every 4 or 5 years to represent New York in the National Independence Day Parade. See the race's website at pulaskischoolhouse5Krun.webnode.com for more information. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> I talked today to Alfred Stamm, a SUNY Oswego meteorology professor, who gave me a quick education on sun dogs. </p> <p><br />Oswego, N.Y. -- A SUNY Oswego meteorology professor set me straight today about what is, and what is not a sun dog.</p> <p><a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-sun-dogs.htm">A sun dog, or false sun, is caused by the the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in nearby cirrus clouds. </a>The phenomenon makes it look like there's more than one sun in the sky. They're usually seen on either side of the sun and are colorful, like a rainbow which is the result of refracted light through raindrops.</p> <p>It all began when Lynda DeLallo, who lives on the northeast side of Otisco Lake near Davis Grove, was out on the frozen lake with her son, who was home from college. The two were walking about on snowshoes and looked up to the sky. </p> <p>"It was like a full rainbow around the sun. Very pretty, " she said. She called the phenomenon a sun dog and sent me another black and white photo.</p> <p>"This was white with a few blips of more white, but it wasn't around the sun," she said of the second photo. "Is this considered a sun dog too? They were both about the same time." </p> <div id="asset-14557621" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img src="/static/common/img/blank.gif" class="lazy adv-photo" data-original="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/14557621-large.jpg" alt="sundog2.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption"></span><span class="byline">Lynda DeLallo photo</span></span></span> </div> <p>I mistakenly told I thought both photos showed sun dogs.<a href="http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2014/03/shoeshoer_snaps_photo_of_sundog_on_otisco_lake.html"> I was wrong and several readers let me know it.<br /></a><br />I talked to Alfred Stamm, a SUNY Oswego meteorology professor, who gave me a quick education on sun dogs.</p> <p>"The main photo shows color separation and it's hard to tell because of the scale, but I don't see any sun dogs in it. It appears to be a halo," he said, adding the bottom photo appeared to be a halo as well.<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/15/ring-around-the-sun-2013_n_3279175.html"><br />Halos are also caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals</a> in nearby clouds.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We are having a replica made for our pool room," the husband said. Sadie Moynihan, of Fayetteville, right, caught this 7-foot-long golden hammerhead shark earlier this month while fishing off the coast of Florida. Also picture are her husband, Chip Moynihan, and Bobby, the first mate on the charter boat. The shark was caught about 10 miles off of Fort Lauderdale on March 11. "It was tagged and released. We are having a replica made for our pool room," the husband said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"All of these national championships go into deciding the makeup of next year's teams (at various levels)," Gordy Sheer,spokesman for USA Luge. Lake Placid, N.Y. -- Several Central New Yorkers made their mark at the 2014 Norton Youth Luge Nationals held this past weekend in Lake Placid. Hannnah Miller, 16, of Rome, took the top spot in the Youth A Women's Division (ages 15-18), with Sydney Axton, 14, of Port Byron, ending up sixth, according to results posted on the USA Luge website. Sydney AxtonSubmitted photo Blake Hagberg, 16, of New Hartford, finished fourth in the Youth Men's A Division. This coming weekend is the Norton Junior Nationals, which is open to competitors up to 20 years of age. Blake HagbergSubmitted photo "All of these national championships go into deciding the makeup of next year's teams (at various levels)," Gordy Sheer,spokesman for USA Luge. Lake Placid is the incubator, "the hub," for the U.S. Olympic program's slider sports -- the luge, the bobsled and skeleton. It has a mile-long, ice track, experienced coaches and housing for athletes. The program produced Erin Hamlin, of Remsen, who took the bronze medal in the singles competition at the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi. Hamlin is the first American of either gender to medal in the luge in the Olympics. Miller and Axton are both competing for spots on the U.S. Junior National Team and the results from past weekend will be strongly considered. Lower in the U.S. Olympic luge pecking order is Hagberg, who is on the program's "candidates team," and training for the two-man luge. Sheer said the action from this weekend's national championships will be streamed live on the USA Luge website at usaluge.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Male rabbits bite the females on the back of the neck while mating with them. It's spring and for many animals it's breeding time. Here are five interesting facts about animal mating behaviors. 1). Bald eagles exhibit a spectacular, death-defying courtship ritual this time of year. It's called "cartwheeling." The eagles lock talons and appear to be engaging in "cartwheeling" a mating behavior common to bald eagles. Stephen D. Cannerelli [email protected] The male and female birds ascend to dizzying heights, lock talons and then begin a breathtaking plunged to the earth, according to eagles.com. "Just moments before striking the ground, the eagles disengage and once again soar to the heavens," the website said. The birds exhibit other, more safe, mating behaviors as well, including " pair perching, bill stroking and pecking, and overall body stroking with the bill," the website said. 2). You've heard the expression "breeding like rabbits." As a kid, I once raised rabbits and it's true - they're quite prolific when it comes mating. One thing I didn't know is that male rabbits, when mounting the females, often bite the female in the back of the neck. Male rabbits often bite the female on the back of the neck when they mate.Dave Lassman |[email protected] "The skin on the back of a rabbit's neck is loose, with few nerve endings. When a rabbit bites to hold on, they are not hurting the other rabbit. It is simply a hold. When you have unneutered males, they will sometimes try to mount your arm or leg. While they're doing this, they'll bite - but this is not an aggressive bite. They're biting to hold on while they mate," according rabbitnetwork.org. 3). When it comes to squirrels, though, the spring has a different significance. They've been mating all winter (from December through February) and many females are already pregnant. The process is anything but romantic. " When a female squirrel becomes receptive, which lasts less than a day, her scent will attract males from as far away as 500 meters. The males will compete for the chance to mate with her, with the most dominant male copulating with her first. Other males may get to mate with her after he is finished," according to newsforsquirrels.blogspot.com. Afterward, the males go their separate ways "and have nothing more to do with the female or the young," the website said. 4). Springtime is also mating time for field mice, but it's no big deal. These little critters do it year-round, according to santharia.com. When the female is pregnant, "The male will bring extra food and take extra risks for its mate," according to the website. "After maybe two weeks of pregnancy, the mother births three to five baby mice, all of which are blind initially, as well as deaf and bald." Within three days, the baby mice will be able to hear and within one week their eyes will open. Within three weeks, the young ones are usually full grown." Then mom and dad start all over again. ,Male spring peepers make a huge amount of noise for such little guys.AP 5). Finally, I know it's hard to imagine right now with all the snow still on the ground in Central New York, but one of the annual signs of early spring is the mating call of the male spring peeper. These little frogs winter in upland areas, nestled underneath dead leaves and bark. Once spring comes, they move to small wetland areas called "vernal pools," which fill up with water in the springtime but are dry during the summer. "They (the males) inflate a dark, olive-colored throat pouch to nearly the size of their body and use it to push air over their vocal cords, repeating this cycle and making a sound when they both inhale and exhale," according to northernwoodlands.com. "Listen closely to a peeper chorus, and you'll soon realize that they play off each other, engaging in duets, trios, quartets, and more. Sometimes you can hear a bird-like trill, which males use to defend modest mating territories that range from about 4 to 16 inches across." When will the peepers start? Some years it begins in early March. Not this year, though. It's usually after the first warm rains. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Volunteers should be 18 or older, be able to lift 50 pounds, dressed for the weather and able to commit to an entire day. ELBRIDGE, N.Y. -- The Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery is seeking volunteers to help stock streams with trout. The opening day of the trout fishing season is April 1. The hatchery, with the aid of volunteers, began stocking streams and other waterways throughout Onondaga County this past week. However, there's still more work to be done and volunteers play an important part in the hatchery's stocking program. There's plenty of openings for those who want to help. This coming week, the hatchery staff will be out stocking on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and will continue the effort through May 16. Volunteers should be 18 or older, be able to lift 50 pounds, dressed for the weather and able to commit to an entire day (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Those volunteering will start the day at the hatchery, located off Route 321 in Elbridge. The hatchery's game plan is to stock more than 18,000 fish before opening day, and a total of more than 75,000 for the 2014 fishing season. For more, call 689-9367. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The event included silent auctions and raffles throughout the day to benefit the Iroquois Chapter of TU, Project Healing Waters, Hope on the Rise and Casting for Recovery. DEWITT, N.Y. -- The third annual 'Tie One On' fly tying rendezvous at Barbagallos Restaurant in DeWitt drew a crowd today. More than 35 guest fly tyers were present at the event, which was sponsored by the Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Dette Trout Flies. It lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and also featured fishing seminars and spey casting demonstrations. Jim Commentucci | [email protected] "The turnout exceeded our expectations," said David Seifritz, of Cicero, president of the local Trout Unlimited chapter. A $10 donation was asked at the door. Active TU members were asked to pay $5. The event included silent auctions and raffles throughout the day to benefit the Iroquois Chapter of TU, Project Healing Waters, Hope on the Rise and Casting for Recovery. There was a fly tying table for beginners as well as open tables for visitors to tie flies on their own. Several vendors were present, in addition to representatives from local non-profit groups. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

'The deer form large herds this time of year, and I often see them foraging in the large tracts of farmland near my home," she said. Margie Manthey, of Marietta, sent in the above photo this week with the following comments: "I shot this image at sunset here in Marietta. As you know, the deer form large herds this time of year, and I often see them foraging in the large tracts of farmland near my home. "I caught this handsome white-tail in mid-leap." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"A lot of places up in the Tug Hill area have a snow base of three feet - some as much as four," Burd said. Watch video REDFIELD, N.Y. -- Think the snowmobiling season is over? Think again. "A lot of places up in the Tug Hill area have a snow base of three feet -- some as much as four," said Ken Burd, of Clay, a member of the 700-member Redfield Snowmobiling Association. Burd went out for a ride Tuesday morning on his sled with this reporter on the back. In addition to the impressive amounts of snow on the trail, the ride featured glimpses of more than a dozen deer and a bald eagle sighting. "We'll get a couple of more weekends out this season. I'm definitely going out this weekend," he said. It's been a good year for snowmobiling, said Stephen Lewis, director of snowmobiling for the state Parks Department. He noted this was the first time in years that there's been enough snow to open trails across the state. It wasn't a record year in regard to snow, but the string of cold nights helped keep many of the trails in great condition. Highlights of the season included two publicized rides in Lowville and Lake Placid by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who voiced support for snowmobiling as winter recreational sport and stressed its importance in the state's economy. A 2012 survey by SUNY Potsdam determined snowmobiling brings $868 million annually to New York. The promotion of snowmobiling is now part of the I Love NY advertising campaign. "Cuomo is the first governor to hop on a snowmobile. I'm 99 percent sure of that," said Dominic Jacangelo, executive director of the New York State Snowmobiling Association. "He certainly knows how to ride one. He's a bit of a motorhead and it carries over to snowmobiling as well." While many are gushing about this year's snow conditions, it was actually pretty much an average year, said Jacangelo, noting thaws in January and February took some of the glimmer off the season. "Actually, with the snow and all, some of your best snowmobiling has been in the month of March," he said. "Up to that point in many areas, it was marginal conditions. You'd get snow, great conditions -- and then it would rain and the snow would go away." Ken Burd, 74, has been snowmobiling for 52 years.David Figura | [email protected] Accident-wise, there have been 12 fatalities statewide involving snowmobiles, compared to 14 last year and two during the 2011-12 season. The 2011-12 season, though, was an extremely mild winter and less snowmobilers got out. Despite the relatively good sledding conditions this season, the number of snowmobile registrations, which help maintain the state's 10,300 mile trail system, are not as high as one might expect. Last year, a total of 116,725 snowmobilers registered their sleds. This year, the 116,000 mark was surpassed this past week. Jancangelo and Lewis said there appears to be a number of snowmobilers who are trying to get away without registering their sleds and it's hurting the sport. On the business side, most local snowmobile dealers are writing the 2013-2014 season off as a good year. "The snowmobile industry is very healthy because of this winter and looking forward to next year. People are already putting money down for delivery of new sleds by next fall," said Bill Bibbens, owner of Bibbens Sales and Service in Weedsport,which sells snowmobilers along with ATVs, UTVs, trailers and motorcycles. Burd, 74, said he's been snowmobiling for 52 years. He and his wife own a camp in Redfield that sits on the bank of the north branch of the Salmon River. His property is is adjacent to the nearly 50 mile trail system that the Redfield club helps maintain. "All five of my daughters are into it," he said. "I have one living in Alabama who still loves to come here once in a while to hop on a sled." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Lake Ontario's chinook salmon on the biggest in the Great Lakes system. The Lake Ontario fishing scene continues to be healthy and world-class, according to DEC, Canadian and U.S. Geological Survey officials. "Last year marked the 11th consecutive year of the highest chinook salmon catch rate on record, and our chinooks are the biggest in the Great Lakes system," said Steve LaPan, the Great Lakes unit manager for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Reports and updates on a wide variety of topics concerning the lake were given at the "State of the Lake" meeting held Tuesday evening at the DEC's training facility in Pulaski. More than 75 attended the 3½ hour presentation. The two-year-old coho salmon on Lake Ontarion and its tributaries caught last year were generally smaller than last year. Nicole Smith, of Eastwood, holds up a 16-pound coho salmon she caught on the Salmon River.Submitted photo Among the highlights: Fish size: DEC fisheries biologist Scott Prindle noted the size of the lake's chinook, steelhead, brown and lake trout continue to be generally similar to those caught in years past. The one exception is coho salmon. He said the two -year-old cohos caught during 2013 were smaller. He had no explanation, noting the coho's diet consists largely of alewives and that population of baitfish is doing well right now in the lake. Bait fish: Maureen Walsh, a fisheries biologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, reviewed results of bottom trawling outings and covered several updates on various shallow and deep- water baitfish in the lake. She noted the round goby is currently the predominate, bottom-dweller. She said that honor used to be held by the slimy sculpin. Most commonly caught fish/catch rates: Jana Lantry, a DEC fisheries biologist, reviewed boat/creel survey results from 2013 and noted 87 percent of the angler outings on the lake targeted salmon and trout during 2013. She said the catch rate for charter boats was 8.9 fish per boat trip, and 2.4 fish for non-charter boat trips. In regard to numbers of fish caught during those trips, she said chinook ranked the highest, followed by lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and coho salmon. In 2012, brown trout were second and lake trout were fourth. Decreasing success in landing brown trout in 2013, she said, resulted in more anglers targeting lakers instead. Lantry also noted that netting surveys showed that that the lake's walleye and yellow perch populations appeared to be down slightly in 2013 compared to 2012. The bass fishing: The lake's smallmouth bass fishing scene continues to be a sore sport, with a decreasing number of anglers getting out and fishing for them, despite increasing catch rates. Lantry noted the lake's bass population in the Eastern Basin took a hit in 2004 due to excessive predation by cormorants. The numbers of cormorants have been reduced, but the bass fishery in that area is still recovering. Answering a question from the audience, she said there are no plans to stock bass in Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario's program to reduce the numbers of sea lamprey, which prey on large fish such as lake trout, is the best in the Great Lakes, officials say.Mike Greenlar | [email protected] Lamprey control: Brian Lantry, a fisheries biologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, noted preventative measures to reduce Lake Ontario's sea lamprey population are the most successful of any of the Great Lakes. He said that fact, coupled with successful stocking programs by both New York State and the Canadians, has resulted in a healthy and growing lake trout fishery in the lake. Egg take at the Salmon River Hatchery: DEC staffer Jim Daley, who is in charge of the state's hatchery system, noted that the Salmon River hatchery's annual egg take during the fall of 2013 exceeded its target amounts for chinook, rainbow trout and coho salmon. The hatchery has been having difficulty,though, keeping the coho eggs and embryos alive. Daley said that was a result of the higher temperatures in the Salmon River during the egg take period. He said there will be no stocking of coho fingerlings this year in any of the lake's tributaries on the American side. Initial plans called for stocking 155,000 fall fingerlings at various locations. Instead, the hatchery will stock more chinook fingerlings at those locations to take their place. He added the hatchery will also stock 130,000 coho yearlings in nearby Beaverdam Brook (a tributary of the Salmon River ) this spring that were held over from last year. That should help soften the blow. Normally, the hatchery would have put in only 90,000 yearlings in the Salmon River. Native species restoration: Jim Johnson, from the U.S. Geological Survey Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science in Cortland, gave an update on efforts to restore populations of Atlantic salmon, deep water cisco and lake herring. He noted efforts to restore native baitfish, along with a top of the food chair predator such as the Atlantic salmon is the first time this has been attempted in the Great Lakes - or anywhere for that matter. Johnson said the efforts to restore the baitfish are underway to strengthen the habitat and the diversity of what the lake's larger fish are eating. As for the Atlantic salmon, he said the goal is to hopefully make them a popular alternative for anglers fishing the lake's tributaries. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I'll try and keep it as polite and civil as possible. But when you're discussing the SAFE Act, things don't always go in that direction," said David Simmons, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. Joe Martens, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, is scheduled to meet with a select group of outdoors sportsmen behind closed doors Friday afternoon at the DEC Region 7 office in Cortland. The meeting is closed to the press, a DEC spokesman said. The reason for the meeting, scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., is to get feedback on a range of outdoor-related issues put out by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, including changes to the hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; the adventure license proposal and items in Cuomo's executive budget for the coming year, including making crossbows legal for hunting. A representative from the State Police is expected to accompany Martens to address any SAFE Act-related questions. "It's always a hot button issue when we're talking to folks," said Christian Ballantyne, a special assistant at the DEC who helped contacted sportsmen about attending Friday's get-together. "Mr. Martens is traveling, making a good effort to hit every region. We've done 5 of 6 of these already and have a few more scheduled," he said. Ballantyne said he expects about a half dozen sportsmen representatives to attend Friday. He many of those invited were from a list of names recommended by the DEC's fish and wildlife staff at the Cortland office. Chuck Parker, of Mexico, who is president of the New York State Conservation Council, was among those invited but had to decline because he is attending a meeting of the state Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board today and Friday up at the DEC training facility in Pulaski. Parker said Friday's gathering and the others like it that have been held so far were the result of a meeting held in the governor's office in Albany earlier this month. At that meeting, he said, were a half dozen representatives from the Conservation Council the state Conservation Fund Advisory Board, New York State Fish and Wildlife Management Advisory Board. They met with representatives from the governor's office and the DEC. "It was very nice, formal. They basically said this is where we're at and what we're trying to do for sportsmen," Parker said. He said when it came to the SAFE Act, Parker said that Martens said he didn't feel it had a significant impact on sportsmen. "We countered that yes it does," Parker said. Following that Albany meeting, Parker said he knows of meetings Martens has held with sportsmen at DEC regional offices in Region 9 (near Buffalo); Region 8 (near Rochester) and Region 3 in New Paltz. All were put together with little advance notice, he said, and to his knowledge there were no problems. "They were informational meetings, with those attending sharing their perspectives," he said. Parker said he didn't have a list of those attending Friday's meeting in Cortland. He did mention David Simmons, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs; George Gibbs, of Cleveland, who is a board member for the state Conservation Council and Mike Mastrogiovanni, vice president of SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education). Simmons, who lives in West Monroe, said this morning he no idea what to expect. He said he was contacted to attend on "very short notice" by a phone call at 11 a.m. Wednesday. "I'll try and keep it as polite and civil as possible. But when you're discussing the SAFE Act, things don't always go in that direction. It was a pretty awful piece of legislation. It's onerous when it comes it legal firearms owners trying to deal with it," he said. Mastrogiovanni, of Liverpool, said he planned to attend Friday's meeting. He said he was initially on the list to attend the meeting in the governor's office earlier this month, but at the last minute was "dis-invited because of my relationship with SCOPE." On April 1, SCOPE is sponsoring the "Stand Up For Your Rights Rally" in Albany to protest the SAFE Act. Mastrogiovanni said he was first contacted about Friday's meeting by phone Tuesday evening. "I thought it was a little short notice myself," he said. 402-8000 View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have an outdoors-related event you'd like publicized? Contact outdoors writer David Figura at [email protected]. CNY OUTDOORS CALENDAR Fly Tying Rendezvous: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Barbagallos Restaurant, 6344 E Molloy Road, East Syracuse. Hosted by Iroquois Chapter of Trout Unlimited & Dette Trout Flies. More than 35 well-known fly tiers, raffles and spey casting demonstrations. A $10 donation will be asked at the door ($5 for active TU members); kids under 16 free.For more, go to Iroquois Trout Unlimited website at syracusegunshow.com. Fishing Heritage Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17, village of South Otselic in Chenango County. The event will feature artists, crafters, antique dealers along with conservation, preservation and youth education organizations. Education programs are planned at the nearby state fish hatchery, along with fishing clinics and hatchery tours. For more, go to ovfish.org or call 653-7490. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Ice fishermen should be cautious this time of year. There still is a lot of ice on waterways, but conditions can change daily with rain and/or warm temperatures. CNY FISHING REPORT Bait stores (list and map). *Reminders: The walleye, pickerel, northern pike, muskie and tiger muskie seasons ended March 15 and don't reopen until May 5. Also, from Nov. 1 to May 1, all person aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet regardless of age must wear a personal flotation device while underway. **A word of caution: Ice conditions can change quickly this time of year with rain and warm temperatures. Use extra caution around areas of flowing water such as streams or river mouths, ditches or culverts. Tips include using a spud to check ice thickness as you venture out, fish with a buddy and bring a rope and ice picks. SALMON RIVER Anglers fishing the deeper pools from Pineville to Altmar are still getting into steelhead. If float fishing or bottom bouncing, try egg sacs with blue, pink, white or chartreuse mesh or pink trout worms. Fly anglers have been using nymphs or single egg patterns. OSWEGO RIVER With the nicer weather recently, a few more anglers are making it out on the river. There's been reports of steelhead being caught. ONEIDA LAKE Walleye season is over. However, if you're an angler seeking pan fish (perch, sunfish and bluegills), now is the time to be on the lake. The bite is coming back strong. The ice is good and the hot spots include Chapman Park, Sylvan Beach, South Shore Boat Launch (Dutchman's Island) and Polar Beach. The bite is shallow (8 to 12 feet of water). They're moving in close this time of year and the fish are aggressive. Best baits are spikes and emerald shiners (buckeye shiners). CAYUGA LAKE Anglers are fishing the north end with 8-10 inches of ice being reported, but as always use caution as ice thickness varies greatly in this area. Yellow perch are being taken on small minnows. Anglers fishing from shore around Taughannock are getting a few browns and Atlantics. Milleken Station has also been good for brown trout, with minnows working well. SANDY POND There is 20-plus inches of ice being reported on the pond. Perch fishing has picked up on the pond and anglers using small minnows or jigs tipped with spikes are catching them. Anglers still need to sort through numbers of small ones to get keepers though. Pike are being taken on large minnows fished under tip-ups. Some black crappie are starting to be caught on jigs tipped with minnows or spikes, or just on minnows. SENECA LAKE The cold and windy conditions continue to make getting a boat out difficult, but some anglers going out of Severne in boats are getting perch in 20 to 30 feet of water. OWASCO LAKE Ice reports range from 10 to 20 inches, use caution around areas of flowing water. Anglers fishing the north and south ends and are getting yellow perch on small minnows in 20 to 60 feet of water. Lake trout are being taken around Ensenore Point on minnows and tip-ups or try jigging with spoons or plastics. This is mainly deep water fishing, 150 or more feet so make sure you have a lot of line on your spools. OTISCO LAKE There is 12-18 inches of ice being reported on the north end. Bluegill and pumpkinseeds are still being taken on the north end, but many are small. SKANEATELES LAKE The entire lake is still frozen over which is extremely rare for Skaneateles Lake. Anglers are fishing both the north and south ends with 8-14 inches of ice being reported. Lake trout are being taken in 30-60 foot of water on both ends, along with some yellow perch. SODUS BAY Perch fishing remains slow but anglers moving around and trying different baits are getting some. Small jigs tipped with spikes have been working, as have small minnows. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Lots of fishable ice, with some bays still having ice up 36 inches thick. Popular spots continue to be Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles, Round Island , Chippewa Bay and all the nearby inland lakes. Continued reports of especially good perch fishing on Chippewa and Chaumont bays and the head of Round Island near Clayton. Live bait (fathead minnows, shiners and spikes) continues to be the ticket. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR There is still plenty of ice on the reservoir, 12-plus inches. No new fishing information to report with walleye season winding down View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Send your tales to [email protected] by March 26. For many Central New York anglers, opening day of trout season is full of traditions and unforgettable memories. Have an opening day tradition or unforgettable memory you'd like to share? Send it to me by 5 p.m. March 26. Keep your stories to 300 words or less. Photos are also welcome. Send your tales to [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'll be writing a column about not making your outdoors passion your wife's or girlfriend's greatest fear. Yes, spring is coming. It arrives Thursday. What I can't get over, though, is that I was out Tuesday morning ice fishing on Owasco Lake. The ice was 14-15 inches thick -- and solid. Spring, or no, I'll be out there again this weekend. The perch fishing has been good this winter. Meanwhile, here's what I'm working on this week and next: - The annual "State of Lake Ontario" fishery meeting. It was held Tuesday evening up at the DEC training facility in Pulaski. DEC and U.S. Geological Survey staff talked about everything from the state of baitfish to chinook salmon. Interesting stuff. - The snowmobile season. Just like the ice fishing, it's not over yet -- particularly up in the Tug Hill, which I visited this morning. - A column about not making your outdoors passion your wife's greatest fear. (There's an ice fishing theme), - Stories concerning the April 1 opening of the trout fishing season. I'm particularly looking for stories about opening day traditions and unforgettable memories. Send your stories and pictures to [email protected]. Deadline to submit stories and pictures is noon March 26. - Should hunters in Onondaga County be allowed to hunt deer with rifles? (Many surrounding counties allow it). - An update on the status of the former Seneca Army Depot and its white deer population. - An update on the state's war against wild boars. -An update on the joint city/county deer task force. 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

Oneida Lake has a character all its own - along with some of the best bass fishing in the Northeast. LOS ANGELES, CA. - Oneida Lake ranks as the 9th best bass fishing waterway in North America, according to Fishhound.com. Staff from the California-based, fish-oriented website conferred recently with expert bass anglers, tournament organizations, veteran outdoor writers and other top fishing authorities to compile a list of the top 100 bass waters.. Oneida Lake is one of two areas in New York State that made the top 10 on Fishhound.com's list. The Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River (New York/Ontario) region was ranked 5th overall. The top-ranked waterway, according to the website is Lake Guntersville, Ala., where the Bassmaster Classic was recently held. Concerning Oneida Lake, the website noted: "Located just east of Lake Ontario and New York's Finger Lakes region, Oneida Lake has a character all its own - along with some of the best bass fishing in the Northeast. The lake boasts excellent populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as abundant panfish, northern pike, walleye and tiger muskie. "The arrival of zebra mussels in the 1990s enchanced lake clarity and accelerated the growth of aquatic vegetation to depths of 20 feet in some areas. It has also altered the balance of the forage bass, now strong in shad, perch and crayfish. "Roaming schools of smallmouth often herd baitfish in open water where swimbaits, topwaters and a variety of soft plastics help anglers cash in on Oneida bounty. Oneida has become a favorite northern stop for the pro circuits." Read more. Randy Howell, winner of this year's Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville, ranked Oneida second in his list of his favorite waterwaters to fish. He ranked Lake Guntersville, which he lives near, as first. Oneida Lake has also caught the eye of Bassmaster Magazine, which in 2012 ranked the lake as the 14th best bass fishing lake in the country. In 2013, however, Oneida dropped to 38th in the magazine's top 100 list. The lake's plentiful gizzard shad population made it more difficult to catch bass in Oneida that year, a magazine spokesman said. Fishhound.com, according to the website, gives frequently updated fishing reports on 2,800 waterways across the country. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog