HuntingNY-News

<p> The tournament ran Oct. 5-7. The winner took home $1,000. , </p> <div id="asset-11697677" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="259" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11697677-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="Salmon Derby 2012.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Submitted photo</span><span class="caption">Fishing buddes, Leo Hoyt, and Robert Brown, with Hoyt's derby winning fish. </span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p>Leo Hoyt was in downtown Pulaski fishing the Salmon River when he heard about the Salmon River Fishing Derby — on the day before it was set to start.</p> <p>"I was sitting on the stone wall by the bridge in Pulaski. Something inside told me to enter. I figured it was my daughter speaking to me,” he said.</p> <p>Hoyt, of Gloversville, said his 27-year-old daughter, Jamie Lynn Gannon, died in February, leaving three children behind. Hoyt signed up for the three-day derby, Oct. 5-7, and dedicated his effort to his daughter.</p> <p>He would have made her proud. The first day he landed a 33-pound, 7-ounce chinook salmon. It held up as the largest fish of the competition, said Vernon Chamberlain, the tournament director.</p> <p>"He won $1,000,” Chamberlain said. “He had her picture in his wallet and folded his fishing license behind her photo to give him good luck.”</p> <p>Hoyt, who is self-employed and does roofing and siding work, was fishing with Robert Brown, of Fort Johnson, his fishing buddy of more than 40 years. Brown netted the winning fish, which Hoyt caught on a piece of orange sponge.</p> <p>This year’s derby attracted 77 anglers, including two from California, four from Canada and two from France, Chamberlain said. Proceeds from the event went to the sport fishing museum.</p> <p>The biggest coho salmon was caught by Toby Workman, of Sandy Creek. It weighed 14 pounds, 4 ounces, and he won $125. Derby officials also handed out a number of daily cash and raffle prizes.</p> <p>Chamberlain said the weekend, which included the derby and the Salmon River Festival, was a big success.</p> <p>“The town was overflowing,” he said.</p> <p>Hoyt said he split the $1,000 with Brown, “gave some to his wife,” and plans to spend the rest while fishing the Salmon River this weekend with his grandson, Brandon, 8, who is one of his daughter’s children.</p> <p>“They put on a real nice thing,” he said. “I’ll have to come up next year to defend my title.” <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> arned of accidents and problems of having young deer, inexperienced hunters with firearms in the woods during the bow hunting season. The DEC reported, though, that there were no hunting-related, shooting incidents. ywhere in the state during the weekend. </p> <p><span id="asset-11698169" title="slideshow" class="id:11698169 basename:youth_hunt_weekend_2012 blog_id:4456 align:right"><img src="http://media.syracuse.com/post-standard/photo/2012/10/11698173-large.jpg" height="214" width="380" border="1" class="slideshow-preview entry_widget_right" alt="Gallery preview" /></span></p> <p>It wasn’t your typical, Columbus Day weekend.</p> <p>The state Department of Environmental Conservation held a special youth firearms weekend on Oct. 5-7, allowing junior youngsters, ages 14-15 with a big game license to hunt deer under the supervision of a licensed and experienced adult.</p> <p>Judging from the reaction for the DEC and several local parents whose children participated, the weekend was a big success.</p> <p>Critics beforehand warned of accidents and problems of having young deer, inexperienced hunters with firearms in the woods during the bow hunting season, which began Oct. 1. The regular firearms season doesn’t start until Nov. 17 this year.</p> <p>No bad news was good news to those who supported the hunt. The DEC reported that there were no hunting-related, shooting accidents ere in the state during the weekend.</p> <p>“The youth deer hunt is a great opportunity for the next generation of New York hunters and is an important step in preserving our hunting heritage while maintaining our ability to manage deer through hunting in the future,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “We received enthusiastic feedback from parents and excited young hunters who took part of the Columbus Day weekend. These experiences demonstrate the great value of providing this unique opportunity for junior hunters.”</p> <p>Chris LaFever, of Lebanon, took his daughter, Alicia, out on family-owned property.</p> <p>“I write you as a proud father of a 14- year-old daughter who took part in the youth hunt this past weekend. She harvested her first buck on Sunday evening with her rifle. Take a look at the picture and you can see the importance of this youth hunt,” he said.</p> <p>Lafever said his daughter has been shooting since she was 5. The past two years, she has hunted deer with him in Pennsylvania. This was her first buck. She shot the 13-pointer at about 80 yards.</p> <p>“We were in a time crunch Sunday afternoon after she had played in a soccer game,” he said. “When she saw the buck, she said she was having trouble steadying the rifle. She was standing. I coached her: breath in, breath out — then pull the trigger.</p> <p>“Her reaction was jubilance. Frankly, It was best hunting experience I’ve had in my life and I’ve been hunting more than 20 years.”</p> <p>Forrest SeGuin, of Chittenango, was proud of his 14-year-old son Austin, who shot a doe on family owned property in Chittenango.</p> <p>“He worked all year to raise enough money to buy his Browning rifle and his shot was right on, “ he said. “We waited until there was only about a hour of rain left Saturday morning and got in the stand at about 10. He took the doe when the sun started coming out about 1:15 p.m.”</p> <p>Art Diamond, of Fayetteville, said he couldn’t believe the size of the 8-point buck his son, Eli, shot. He estimated the deer’s antlers will score around 130 to 140 inches. It dressed out at 210 pounds at the butcher.</p> <p>Diamond set up his 15-year-old son in a ground blind and they spotted the buck at about 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Initially, it was about 120 yards away. When it get within the 80-yard mark, Eli took the shot with his 20-gauge, rifle-barreled shotgun. He was sitting in a chair at the time and used his knees as a rest.</p> <p>“It was a nice broadside,” the father said.</p> <p>The wounded buck ran into a ravine. After sitting for a bit, the two followed it in and found it dead at the bottom of the ravine, which dropped in elevation an estimated 220 feet.</p> <p>“It was quite an engineering feat getting it out,” the father said. “We got my other son and our truck, and used a rope and cable.”</p> <p>The proud father had one regret.</p> <p>“I had a video camera and totally screwed up,” he said. “I got the buck coming out of the woods, walking toward us — everything. Afterward I realized the screen I was looking through wasn’t recording.”<br /> <br /> <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Nominations can be emailed to [email protected]. Questions? Call me at 470-6066. </p> <p>Many readers of this blog have one thing in common — a love and appreciation for the outdoors.</p> <p>Some go the extra mile in helping in giving Mother Nature a helping hand.</p> <p>It’s for that reason that five years ago The Post-Standard’s “Heroes of Conservation” was established.</p> <p>This feature honors those unselfish individuals who give untold volunteer hours and often money out of their own pockets to maintain or restore Central New York’s woods, fields and waterways so we all can enjoy them.</p> <p>The award also honors those who volunteer their time to pass on the positive practices and traditions of outdoor activities ranging from birding to bear hunting. For these individuals, it’s not enough to just enjoy these activities themselves. They want to mentor, to pass on their passion to others.</p> <p>Do you know a hero of conservation?</p> <p>To nominate someone, email or mail a nomination statement to me of no more than 300 words outlining the person’s accomplishments. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Dec. 9. A story will run on this page in late December highlighting the top candidates.</p> <p>Questions? Call 470-6066. Nominations can be emailed to me at [email protected]<br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Police say he was found Tuesday night by a relative who went looking for him when he didn’t return from his outing. QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a man found hanging from a tree stand near his upstate New York home apparently fell and was asphyxiated when he became tangled in his safety harness. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office tells the Post-Star of Glens Falls ( http://bit.ly/Rjf71p ) that 50-year-old Daniel Bemis went bow hunting Tuesday in the woods behind his house in the town of Queensbury, 50 miles north of Albany. Police say it appeared Bemis fell from a tree stand at such an angle that it caused his safety harness to become wrapped around his upper body and he asphyxiated. Officials say Bemis had installed the harness correctly. Police say he was found Tuesday night by a relative who went looking for him when he didn’t return from his outing. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

She's 2 for 2 this bowhunting season, having found a 6- and an 8-point buck for hunters. Submitted photo Paulene Eggers and Braylee, her trusty wirehaired dachshund, are 2-for-2 this bowhunting season. The Deer Search volunteer and her dog have helped two hunters recover arrowed deer thought to be lost causes. On Monday, Scott Jevis, a hunter in Highland Forest, shot his arrow at a 6-point buck from his tree stand. The arrow went through the deer and it took off. The Cicero hunter looked in vain the rest of the day and called the Deer Search hotline Tuesday. Eggers, who works full time as an investigator for the Syracuse Police Department, took the assignment and met Jervis at 3 p.m. that day at the spot where the buck was shot. The blood trail went up to a point “and just stopped,” Eggers said. “He said he hit it right behind the shoulder at an angle, and the arrow came out the gut.” For nearly two hours, Eggers and Braylee checked out some steep and challenging terrain. Then Braylee started giving off body language that she was close. “She stands on her hind legs, puts her nose up in the air and flares her nostrils,” Eggers said. “When she starts doing that, I know she has it.” Braylee found the buck 31 hours after it was shot. “He (Jevis) was so happy. He ran up and hugged me,” she said. Eggers, 53, is the area’s only Deer Search volunteer this hunting season. She covers Onondaga, Madison, Oswego “and sometimes Cayuga and Tompkins counties.” This is her second year volunteering after being certified by the non-profit group and licensed by the state to conduct the searches. She said she doesn’t charge for her service, but accepts donations, which go back to the Deer Search group. She said hunters give her from $50 to $100 and sometimes throw in a little extra to cover her gas money. Most of her searches take place during the bow season, she said, and she has successfully tracked bucks and does for hunters. Last Saturday, Eggers helped out bowhunter Mike Paduano, of Bridgeport, who lost track of an 8-point buck he’d shot in the town of Sullivan in Madison County. “There was no blood track, but he said the arrow entered the deer’s middle section behind the shoulder and he was sure it was a mortal wound,” Eggers said. “He said he and his brother had looked all over the place for it.” After searching for 90 minutes, Eggers and Braylee zeroed in on “a real thick patch of brush.” Braylee started up with the body language. “We found it out. It was dead and lodged in some skinny little trees,” she said. For more on Deer Search, check out the group's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Things should pick up this winter. Historically, a warm, dry winter is usually followed by a snowy one, Just how much of an economic impact does snowmobiling have on the state’s economy? Plenty — particularly when there’s a snowy winter. A recent assessment done by the SUNY Potsdam Institute of Applied Research indicated New York’s snowmobiling scene delivers an economic impact of $868 million annually. The numbers were based on nearly 6,000 responses collected from snowmobile owners during the 2010-11 season. The average annual household expenditure for a snowmobiling season is $3,561, and there’s an additional $3,200 for sled expenses that include purchase price and towing, according to the study, which was commissioned by the New York State Snowmobile Association. “This follow-up to the New York State 1998 study shows that, even after adjusting for cost of living and other factors, snowmobiling has been a growing activity during the last decade with significant economic impact for New York State,” said J. Patrick Turbett, director of SUNY Potsdam Institute for Applied Research. Last winter’s snowmobiling season, though, was hurt by the lack of snow. Dominic Jacangelo, executive director for the New York Snowmobile Association, said the state saw an estimated 30 percent loss in economic activity. The state also saw a decrease in snowmobile registrations. During the 2010-11 season, a total of 135,000 snowmobilers registered their sleds. Last year, that total dropped to about 90,000, he said. Jacangelo said the state experienced a dramatic change in its winter weather pattern, in that it was not only warm, but relatively dry. Things should pick up this winter. Historically, a warm, dry winter is usually followed by a snowy one, he said. “We’re encouraging snowmobilers to join their clubs early, to register early. The sport depends on that social network of the clubs,” he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Loren Barrigar reeled in a 22 1/2 pound salmon on the Oswego River. Submitted photo Well-known local musician, Loren Barrigar, of Elbridge, showed recently he can handle a fishing pole as well as a guitar. In this photo, he hoists a 22½-pound chinook salmon he caught while fishing with his brother, Ken, also of Elbridge, on the Oswego River next to the power station below the dam. They were fishing with Capt. Kevin Davis, of Catch the Drift Charters. The fish, which as released, was caught on a chartreuse and green plug, Barrigar said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Anglers continue to catch walleyes from shore on Oneida Lake by casting stickbaits. CNY FISHING FORECAST Just a reminder that the new fishing license year started Oct. 1. There’s also some new regulations that have kicked in. For more, see the DEC’s 2012-13 Freshwater Fishing Guide. Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO As more salmon make their way into the tributaries, the lake fishing continues to wind down. There are still salmon being taken at the mouths of rivers, but getting out with the strong winds we’ve had lately has been difficult. SALMON RIVER Chinook/coho salmon runs continue to be strong. Steelhead are also starting to come in. The lower fly fishing section is closed until Oct. 31. The upper fly section is open. OSWEGO RIVER There are salmon throughout the river, along with a few brown trout and a few steelhead. Water is low. Remember the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are new Mandatory Personal Flotation Device (PFD) zones on the river below Varick Dam. ONEIDA LAKE Anglers fishing casting from shore at night continue to pick up fish. Anglers are catching them on stickbaits, such as the Challenger Junior Minnow and Storm Junior ThunderStick. Lots of small perch are still being taken with fathead minnows along weed lines, and a few larger ones as well. CAYUGA LAKE Trout and salmon fishing continues to be slow. Fishing 80 to 110 feet down with flasher and flies was producing a few lake trout, as was vertical jigging in 80 to 100 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good on the north end with a variety of plastic baits working. SENECA LAKE Trout and salmon fishing continues to be slow. A few lake trout are hitting Spin Doctors and flies fished 70 to 90 feet down. Yellow perch fishing remains good, with fish being caught on the south end, and by the salt plant. OWASCO LAKE Continued reports of “lots of perch and bass” being caught on crayfish and fathead minnows. One guy landed a largemouth bass weighing nearly 8 pounds, according to one bait shop owner. OTISCO LAKE Fishing has been slow lately. Nothing new to report. SKANEATELES LAKE Bass fishing slowed down some last week, but some are still being caught along the shore with tube jigs, drop-shot rigs and spinnerbaits. Yellow perch and rock bass are also biting on the south end with small minnows or jigs working. There is no trout activity to report. SODUS BAY Yellow perch are being caught in deep water on small minnows. Northern pike are hitting on spoons and large spinners. Bass fishing continues to be good with spinnerbaits and a variety of plastics working. Salmon are also being taken off the pier by anglers casting spoons. The low water is making launching boats difficult for some. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR The reservoir level continues to be drawn down to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to do needed work. It’s hard for anglers to get larger boats in and out. Fishing from a kayak, canoe or a jon boat is still the way to go, though some bigger boats are being successfully launched at Dorchester Park. Bring boots, advised one bait store owner. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'm looking for someone to talk about the history and current situation concerning the floating duck blinds at the northern end of Cayuga Lake that are put out every year.I Submitted photoPaulene Eggers, her dog Braylee, and the deer that they successfully tracked.- As I noted last week, we're in the thick of the fall hunting season. Here's what's on tap for this week's Outdoors pages of The Post-Standard FRIDAY Main piece: We give an update of Paulene Eggers, who long with her trusty dog, Braylee, are 2 for 2 in retrieving lost deer that were arrowed by local bow hunters. Eggers is the only active Deer Search volunteer going out on calls in Central New York this season. Column: A recent study shows the snowmobile scene has an annual economic impact of $860 million for New York... but last year's relatively snowless winter saw that drop by about a third. Also, the Camillus Elks Club is again collecting deer hides and donating the proceeds to the local Veteran's hospital. SUNDAY: Main piece: Highlights from this past Youth Firearms Hunt for deer held during the Columbus Day weekend. We have pictures from boys and girls alike who cashed in. Column: Bits and pieces. Still weighing my options... In coming weeks, I'd like to write about the following outdoors activities. If you know someone who does these activities, contact me ASAP: -- Fall turkey hunting with the assistance of dogs -- Someone who still has a license to fish commercially for perch in Lake Ontario with gill nets. -- 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. - Someone who hunts rabbits and squirrels with the aid of falcons or hawks. 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

MIke Cusano's 4.23-pound largemouth bass won the biggest bass award . Submitted photo Burnie Haney, of Calcium, left, and Mike Cusano, Clay, beat 15 other teams during the KTBA Bass Club Team Open Tournament on Oneida Lake on Oct. 6. The pair's five fish limit weighed 18.58 pounds, anchored by Cusano’s 4.23 pound, largemouth bass that won the biggest bass award for the event. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We had 11 inches of rain and 70 mph winds for two days." Submitted photoAAlan Tucker, of Taberg, poses with his moose that he shot during a Canadian hunting trip. He wrote: " Dave I made the trip to Newfoundland with six guys from Upstate NY back on 9/7/12. "It was a long drive -- 2,400 miles round trip and a 18-hr ride on the ferry round trip from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland. "We had 11 inches of rain and 70 mph winds for two days. "But we all got our moose. We will eat good this winter." Alan Tucker Taberg NY View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals for the veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse. If you get a deer this hunting season, there's a way you can help disabled or sick veterans. The Camillus Elks Club for the 11th straight year will be collecting raw deer hides from hunters. The hides will be cleaned and salted by members of the club and then sold to a tannery. Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals for the veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse. Donated hides should be dropped off at the lodge at 6117 Newport Road, Camillus. "Since the hides deteriorate rapidly, do this as soon as possible, " said Bob Maraio, a Camillus club member who is in charge of the effort. “Deterioration is more rapid if a plastic bag without holes is used, " he said. Maraio recommended using a cardboard box. For more information, call 672-3106. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It's a frequent visitor," she said. Submitted photo Cathy Nelson shot this interesting photo recently of a great blue heron. She wrote, "It's a frequent visitor to our backyard pond in Oswego." I shared the photo with bird expert and author, Laura Erickson, who I consult with from time to time on bird matters. She said it looked to be a young bird, most likely one that hatched in 2012. "And it apparently swallowed a fish not long before being photographed," she said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it on Fish Creek. Submitted photo Brian Ward, of Central Square, holds up a catfish he caught and released recently at the private Mayfair Campground on Fish Creek (near Sylvan Beach). His daughters, Danielle and Caitlin are also in the picture. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He received a ticket from the state Department of Environmental Conservation for filing a false statement. Submitted photo I was sent this photo of Wayne Long, of Watertown, last week and told in the email that he arrowed the annimal, a potential state record deer, in the town of Redman. I was told it was measured by Matthew Cooper, a registered measurer for the Boone and Crocket club. I was able to contact Cooper, who told me to hold off publicizing it. Glad I did. In yesterday's Watertown Daily Times, was the story headlined, "State agencies, hunting clubs claim Watertown hunter falsified record buck statement." The story began: "There will be no spot in the record books for Wayne N. Long II, a Watertown hunter who claimed to have killed a state record buck in Rutland Corners on Thursday. Instead, he received a ticket Tuesday from the state Department of Environmental Conservation for filing a false statement. "Mr. Long claimed he bagged the non-typical deer, which recorded a Boone and Crockett score of about 220, while hunting in the town of Rodman on property belonging to a family friend. The state record score in the category is 210 and 4/8. "But officials of the company that certifies rack sizes said they believe he shot the deer on a deer farm, then took the deer to Rutland Corners, where he was photographed with his prize." The article reported that when confronted about the discrepancy, the guy denied he'd received a ticket and hung up the phone before any further questions could be asked. Read the full story. http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20121003/NEWS03/710039822 View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Nearly 40 junior hunters participated in the event. Stephen Wowelko photoPictured from left to right are: Daniel Foland, Joshua Welsh, Broderick Bowden, Chuck Thousand and his golden retriever, Adi. The following is a news release: On September 29 and 30, 2012 the Conservation Alliance of New York, with co-sponsorship from the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Oswego County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Salmon River Strutters Chapter of the NWTF, held a youth pheasant hunt in Palermo, NY. Nearly 40 junior hunters participated in the hunt. Sportsmen along with their dogs spent time introducing the junior hunters to pheasant hunting. Youth pheasant hunts take place on the last full weekend prior to the start of the regular fall pheasant hunting season in each area of upstate New York. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He got it with a rifle that he saved for, and bought himself. Submitted photo Austin SeGuin, 14, of Chittenango, poses with a deer he shot during the past special youth hunt weekend. His father, Forrest, wrote: "He took this nice doe on our property in Chittenango. He worked all year to raise enough money to buy his Browning rifle and his shot was right on. "We waited until there was only about a hour of rain left Saturday morning and got in the stand about 10 and he took this doe when the sun started coming out about 1:15." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was a doe. Submitted deer Brian Bushnell, of Red Creek, got his first deer this past weekend during the special state-wide, youth firearms hunt weekend. His mom, Kelli Bushnell, wrote: Our son Brian, age 15, has been eagerly awaiting this youth hunt since this summer. "With his hunting license and tags in hand we all waited to see if it would be cancelled. Once we knew it was on, plans were made in earnest. " Brian and his dad made the tough decision to stay home Saturday morning when they rose before dawn to find it pouring outside. "But by Saturday afternoon it had cleared and they headed to the wooded hillside where his dad has hunted for twenty years. About 2 hrs later Brian nudged his dad to say he had spotted a deer coming towards them and was getting ready...within minutes he had dropped a nice doe at 30 yards with one shot from his 12-gauge shotgun. "He said the doe heard him release the safety and froze, but so did he and he waited for her to put her head down again. His dad says he was praying she didn't take off when she heard that metallic click, as he has seen them do many times. "For whatever reason, she relaxed and the hunting gods smiled on Brian as he took his first deer cleanly. He is still grinning with pride two days later. We're just glad he was successful so early, and now we can get to some perch fishing the rest of the weekend." "Thanks for the chance to share." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He got a trophy for the fish, which measures 15 3/4 inches. Submitted photo Nick Willington Stirner holds up his 15-3/4 inch that he caught this summer at Webster Park -- the largest of any caught this summer. It was his first trout ever and he was fishing with his grandmother at the time. He received a trophy for his catch at last Friday's banquet for the Webster Pond fishing program. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Readers respond to Critic’s Notebook article about the new hunter-gatherers. View the full article

It's a great place for birders and hunters alike this time of year. Mike Greenlar/The Post-Standard Whether you’re a bird-watcher or a hunter, this month and the next is prime time at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Savannah. “This is my favorite time of the year,” said Andrea Van Beusichem, visitor services manager for the refuge. “It’s all happening.” Van Beusichem said the refuge is packed with migrating birds. “The shore birds are around and tens of thousands of ducks and geese are coming in,” she said. “We’re also seeing more activity with the raptors – especially the bald eagles.” Van Beusichem said the sandhill cranes also starting to group up before they migrate. “Instead of one, you’re 10 or more at a time,” she said. Gerry Smith, a board member for the Onondaga Audubon Society, confirmed that “now until freeze-up” is great time for birders to visit Montezuma. “Things keep changing there on a daily to weekly basis. There’s a lot going in, and a lot going out. It’s not certain what you’re going to find there on any certain day,” he said. Mike Greenlar/The Post-Standard Meanwhile, the refuge, with its more than 9,100 acres, is also a great spot for waterfowl and deer hunting. Van Beusichem said waterfowl hunters are allowed at the 1,100-acre Tschache Pool. The refuge has a special youth hunt scheduled Oct. 13 and will allow all hunters on opening day of the regular waterfowl season, beginning Oct. 27. Hunters are required to take waterfowl identification course ahead of time and are required to bring their own, non-motorized boat (usually a canoe). Use of a hunting dog is highly recommended. The refuge has a phone registration system (315-568-4136) for waterfowl hunters. Registrations to hunt will be taken 8 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20 for the regular season. There’s a $10 registration fee each day. “We allow 20 registrations for spots each day, and up to two hunters on each spot,” she said. “Each day, hunters are expected to check in and show their hunting license, duck stamp and waterfowl ID course certificate.” Van Beusichem said deer hunting is permitted on most of the refuge’s land, with the exception of a few closed-off areas. The archery season on the refuge opens Nov. 1, she said, and the firearms season coincides with the Southern Zone’s schedule (Nov. 17). A maximum of 300 bowhunters are allowed on refuge grounds each day during that season, and no more than 150 a day during the firearms season. Hunters must get a “self-service permit” each day from the refuge’s check station on Route 89. There’s no fee. Tree stands are allowed, but with restrictions. “You can have a tree stand, but they can’t be permanent, and you can’t screw anything in — and they have to removed each day,” he said. For further information on the refuge, call 568-5987. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Monday evening, an in-person registration was scheduled at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club for a course taught this week there. A total of 60 students ended up taking he class, but 100 others were turned away. The lack of hunting safety courses this time of year in Central New York, coupled with the ire of folks wanting to enroll in what few are offered, continues to be a sore spot on the local sportsmen scene. Monday evening, an in-person registration was scheduled at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club for a course taught this week there. The signup time was 6 to 8:30 p.m. A total of 60 students ended up taking he class, but 100 others were turned away. Don Gerry, arrived at 5:30 p.m. with his two daughters, Madi, 10, and Ali, 12. Gerry said he was greeted in the parking lot by a gentleman who told him the class was already full. “He told me it was no different than a rock concert. First come, first serve. He told me people had been waiting to sign up since 10 a.m. that morning and that they started taking names,” Gerry said. Gerry said he realizes the instructors are volunteers, “but it seems that somebody should be able to think of a way to get this registration process smoothed out, and to have more instructors — even if you have to pay them. It’s just amazing that we have people who want to get out and hunt and they can’t be accommodated.” Mike Arnold, of Camillus, who coordinates the county’s bow and firearms safety instructors, said within the past three weeks anywhere from 50 to 100 students have been turned away at the Skaneateles, Fayetteville-Manlius, Camillus and Pompey rod and gun clubs. Mike McPeck, a master hunting safety instructor , was that guy in the parking lot at Pompey. He heard complaints that no sign-ups should have should have been accepted until 6 p.m. “If we had done that, we would have had a couple of hundred people lined up outside ... and fist fights,” he said. McPeck added as a precaution he called the DEC and arranged to have a DEC environmental conservation officer present. McPeck said many had taken off work to get there early to sign up, noting they had been turned away at other courses. Their names were taken on an Excel spread sheet and they stayed the whole time. By 5 p.m., it was obvious there were more people than spaces in the course and the course roster was filled. “I know some of these people were upset. One guy drove here from Utica,” he said. On Friday, Arnold reiterated what he had told me last month when I wrote about this issue. They noted the county’s volunteer instructors had offered 25 hunter safety courses throughout the year, and that many had gone a third or half unfilled. They noted there’s a trend each year of folks waiting until the last minute to get into a course. He said many of the instructors hunt themselves and don’t want to teach courses during the season. Finally, he noted that ethically, it’s not safe for someone who has never handled a gun to take the course, and to be out hunting soon after without practicing or becoming comfortable with their firearm. This is not the first time I’ve heard of this problem with “in-person” registrations. Several individuals stopped by my table at the recent Sportsman’s Days at Carpenter’s Brook, to air complaints similar to Gerry’s. Nevertheless, Arnold said the “in person” registrations seem to work the best. Signing up by telephone or email often results in individuals putting their names in for multiple courses with different instructors – and only showing for one (if at all). Arnold said Department of Environmental Conservation officials told instructors the past couple of years that work was underway for an new online sign-up process, where an individual could only sign up for one hunter safety course at a time. DEC spokeswoman Lori Severino confirmed that, saying that there may be a “possible pilot (program) for next year. It’s something we are working on,” she said. Late Friday afternoon, the DEC’s website showed no upcoming hunting safety courses in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland or Oswego counties this month. One is set in Madison County for Oct. 16, 18 and and 20 at Bicknell Hall, on the SUNY Morrisville campus. In-person registration is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. this Tuesday at Bicknell Hall. “I’ll be there,” Gerry promised. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> She spotted it alongside the Seneca River. </p> <div id="asset-11666527" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="284" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11666527-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="greenheron.jpg" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Submitted photo</span><span class="caption"></span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p>Debby Holihan, of Liverpool, snapped this picture of a green heron recently along the shore of the Seneca River.</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was held Sept. 30 on private property. The young hunters all got their limit of two birds each. Submitted photo The CNY Wildfowlers Association held a youth pheasant hunt on Sept. 30 on private property in Oswego County. The lucky young hunters all got their limit of two birds each. Pictured in this photo, left to right, Cody LaRoche, Ryan Bower, Anthony Palumbo, Conall Fraser, Ben Fraser, and Ethan Fraser. The bird dogs are Molly (a black Lab) and Molly (Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever). Jack Waldron hosted the hunt and provided lunch for all. The dog handlers were Ron Falkowski and John Fraser. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The photo was taken on Moss Lake. Greg Craybas Syracuse dentist Greg Craybas, who does wildlife photography in his spare time, snapped this photo of a juvenile loon while kayaking on Moss Lake near Eagle Bay in the Adirondacks recently. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog