HuntingNY-News

They were taken on land he hunts in Mexico. Submitted photo Steve Battaglia, of Liverpool, sent me these photos recently. He wrote: "Here is a succession of pictures from April of this year. They are of a curious doe on property that I hunt in Mexico. Start with Picture 004 and move to 005 and 006. It looks like she heard the click of the camera and came over to investigate. "More interesting than funny, but I will let you be the judge." Submitted photo Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It'll happen before today's game against Tampa Bay. The following is a press release: Eight lucky Red Sox fans and outdoor enthusiasts (one of them, a Syracuse man) have won the opportunity to participate today in the “Ultimate Outdoor Experience” together with Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish at Fenway Park. The fans will receive fly casting instruction from an L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools expert and enjoy a tour of the Park before taking in the game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. For 100 years, L.L.Bean has helped people discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Ultimate Outdoor Experience is one way to carry on this tradition as both L.L.Bean and Fenway Park mark their centennial in this year. Those players participating are Boston outfielders Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava. The lucky fans are: - Richard Mulherin of Syracuse, NY -Jennifer Calamare of Winchendon, MA -Patrick Carvey of Castleton, VT - Kevin Carroll of Brookfield, CT - Alison Matalanis of Longmeadow, MA - Mark McGovern of Andover, KS - Marilyn McKeon of Middleboro, MA - Joanne Smith of Harwich, MA View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It's the third year of a special program to deer with excessive browsing by deer on the state land. The following is a DEC press release: Beaver Meadows State Forest, in the towns of Smyrna and Otselic, Chenango County, will again be open to antlerless deer hunting this season for those with a valid hunting license and a special tag, drawn via lottery, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. The State Forest consists of 58,16 acres, all of which is open to the public and available for hunting. The DMAP application for the Beaver Meadow State Forest is available on line. DEC foresters have determined that browsing by deer is negatively impacting Beaver Meadows. Deer browse studies have been conducted at the forest since 2007 to gather statistics about deer damage and to estimate the number of deer per mile. According to the yearly studies, deer numbers range from 16 to 22 deer per acre, a significantly high number. Tree regeneration, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants have been repeatedly damaged and degraded by persistent over browsing by deer. Forest regeneration is extremely difficult under such circumstances. By focusing additional hunting in a targeted area for an extended amount of time, forests will have an opportunity for trees to grow beyond the browse height of deer. “This form of ecosystem management benefits foresters, wildlife managers, hunters and the general public,” observed DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch. “The public has the opportunity to assist DEC in its habitat management efforts while enjoying the beauty of our state lands, and hopefully, they’ll come home with a deer as well.” Beaver Meadows State Forest was first opened by the DEC for antlerless deer hunting in 2010. In that hunting season 58 antlerless deer were taken. The following year, 2011, 50 antlerless deer were taken. If trends continue, fewer deer should be taken each season as the population returns to a level that allows plants and trees to grow and thrive. The Sherburne Lands and Forest office, at 2715 State Highway 80, Sherburne, will have Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags available for use on Beaver Meadows during both the regular and bow hunting seasons. Tags will only be for antlerless deer and will be loaned out on a weekly basis, determined by an on-going lottery which will be conducted weekly. The end result will be healthier forests and better habitat for deer and other flora and fauna that have been missing or greatly reduced in the forest due to over-browsing by deer. For further information, contact the Sherburne Lands and Forests office at 607-674-4017. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The camera has snapped shots of deer, a wood duck, foxes, a coyote and a Canada goose. Submitted photoWhen no one is watching, the deer will play.Trail cameras a real cool devices. They can photograph what's there when you're not. Theresa Groman, of Sandy Creek, who sent me these pictures, wrote: "These are from my trail camera taken in the town of Sandy Creek from our property on Sandy Pond in Oswego County. You can see how the young deer are running around and playing in the water. They remind me of how our black labs play in the same spot! "I also included some of my favorite fox & coyote (?) photos. The foxes are at their fox holes and the coyote is at a beaver dam. Submitted photoIt looks like these foxes are asking, "Who goes there?""Finally, here are still some more from the same place. The goose and heron walked right by the tree that the camera was on and I love these shots. I also sent one of wood duck." Thanks for sharing, Theresa! Submitted photoA fox near his hole. Submitted photoA coyote slips by. Submitted photoA great blue heron. Submitted photoA Canada goose minding it's own business. Submitted photoA wood duck. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Green herons are one of the few species of animal known to use tools. In particular, they commonly use bread crusts, insects, or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. Submitted photo Paul Pflanz, of Syracuse, recently sent in these neat photos of a green heron he spotted along the walkway along Onondaga Creek, that goes from Armory Square to the lake. Pflanz said the pictures were taken at almost the end of the walk, just before it goes under the Conrail Bridge where the creek enters the lake. The heron was in the small sandy strip along the creek to the left of the small fence separating the walk from the creek. Some people refer to this as the inlet, he said. He wrote: "Today was a great day on the Creekwalk. I got shots of eagles, ospreys. cormorants and the best of all, a green heron! "It is a shy bird, shunning other birds and not a frequent flier. It most often walks through its marshy habitats and will often freeze to avoid detection rather than take flight. This one was caught about 5pm 9/5 just before the RR bridge at the mouth of the creek and taken with a Canon sx30 with a 35x zoom lens." "Green herons are one of the few species of animal known to use tools. In particular, they commonly use bread crusts, insects, or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will then grab and eat the fish." Submitted photo Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

They were at Cape Cod. Submitted photoMorgan with her fish. Morgan, Alexandra and Max Freeman got into the stripped bass recently during an ocean fishing trip this past Labor Day weekend. They were at Cape Cod. Submitted photoAlexandra holds up a nice striper. Submitted photoMax with his catch. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It's a Mongolian/Chinese strain, adn they're a little bit bigger than the pure Chinese strain that the DEC has been raising and releasing across the state since the 1940s. Watch video Dick Blume/The Post-StandardMongolian/Chinese Pheasants, which is a new strain of bird that's being stocked across the state this year, are at the Jamesville Correctional Facility's pheasant-raising facility. Central New York pheasant hunters will be pursuing a new strain of pheasant this fall. The bird — a cross between the traditional Chinese pheasant and a new Mongolian strain — will soon be stocked by state workers and volunteers in fields across the state. In many cases, the birds have been put in fields earlier by sportsmen’s clubs and other volunteers who secured young chicks from the DEC and raised the birds themselves this spring and summer. In any case, the Mongolian/Chinese strain seems to be just a little bigger than the traditional Chinese strain. Although it may be too early to tell, they also seem “a little bit spookier ... they tend to move away from you more,” according to Bob Rathman, manager at the DEC’s pheasant farm in Dryden (just off the Cornell University campus) where the birds were bred. The reason for the new strain? “We’ve been raising the Chinese strain since 1940s — and maybe even earlier,” Rathman said. “Last year we started noticing genetic problems because of the years of inbreeding. We decided we wanted to get some new blood and began looking around.” Reynolds said the DEC bought some rooster chicks from a private pheasant farm in Pennsylvania. “They had these Mongolians that looked very similar to the Chinese birds. We then crossed the roosters with our own Chinese-strain hens,” he said. So far, Rathman said, it appears the Mongolian roosters did their job and “eliminated our genetic problems.” Dick Blume/The Post-StandardThere's currently some 3,000 adult birds at the Jamesville pheasant-rearing facility waiting to be released for the upcoming hunting season. The Reynolds pheasant farm is the DEC’s sole breeding spot for the birds. In addition to the Mongolian/Chinese strain, the farm raises a smaller bird, the Manchurian pheasant, which has a complete white ring around its neck. The pure Chinese and new hybrids have only a partial white ring. “Manchurians also tend to be wilder, spookier and faster flying,” Rathman said. “We release those in the second half of the fall season.” Rathman said this year Reynolds will be releasing more than 37,000 adult pheasants, with about 60 percent of those being the new hybrid mix and the rest being Manchurians. The DEC has also distributed an additional 49,000 hybrid chicks to sportsmen’s groups to raise. Those birds can only be stocked on lands open to the public for hunting, he said. Locally, the majority of birds released in Onondaga County fields are raised from day-old chicks from Reynolds at a pheasant farm on the grounds of the Jamesville Correctional Facility. The local pheasant rearing complex is maintained by volunteers from the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, with an assist from the jail’s inmates who help feed the birds. There are 3,000 Mongolian/Chinese adult birds there right now waiting to be released. “They’re definitely feistier and larger than what we’ve had in the past,” said Stephen Wowelko, president of the federation. Although Central New Yorkers grew up seeing pheasants in local fields and woods, the bird is not native to this state — or even this country. They’re from Asia. The birds, commonly called “ring-necked pheasants” were introduced into this country in 1881 when Judge Owen Nickerson Denny, the U.S. consul to China, shipped 30 Chinese ring-necks (26 survived the trip) to his home in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Dick Blume/The Post-StandardThe males are brightly colored; the female birds are not. “Eleven years later, Oregon opened a 75-day season and hunters bagged 50,000 pheasants,” according to the Pheasants Forever website. The birds have since been released in 40 of the 50 states. “Male ring-necks feature a white ring around their neck and body plumage of gold, brown, green, purple and white. Females are much less showy with drab brown feathers,” the website said. The bird was established in New York following a release in 1903 on the Wadsworth estate near Geneseo. The birds spread fast, particularly with the help of continuous stocking efforts. “Populations peaked in the late 1960s and the early 1970s,” according to the DEC website, but have declined ever since, largely due to habitat loss. Another factor is an increase in predators such as hawks and eagles (thanks to restrictions on DDT and other pesticides) and less trapping, which has resulted in more coyotes and foxes. Regardless, the DEC’s annual stocking program, bolstered by a broad network of volunteers, has kept pheasant hunting popular to this day. Carmen Davoli, president of the Central New York Chapter of Pheasants Forever, said he loves to hunt the bird. He said he’s itching to get out this fall with Simon, his 9-month-old weimaraner. “It’s the pointing, the finding of the bird — retrieving. Talk to any pheasant hunter. It’s about him and his dog,” he said. Join the hunt The fall pheasant hunting season in the northern and eastern areas of the state opens Oct. 1. Most of Central New York and the western area begins Oct. 20. The daily bag limit is two. and the seasonal limit is 30. A small-game hunting license is required. For more, see the DEC website or hunting guide. Finding pheasants The DEC’s website offers a list of locations where pheasants are stocked. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He said the lower part of the river is full of chinooks and cohos. Submitted photo Brooks Robinson, of Tully, holds up a nice chinook salmon he caught and released this week on the Salmon River. He said the river -- particularly the lower part -- is full of chinooks and cohos. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

American commercial fishermen landed 10.1 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2011, a haul valued at $5.3 billion. The CNN Money Website reported the following: U.S. fishermen recorded their largest catch since 1994 last year, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency said Wednesday that American commercial fishermen landed 10.1 billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2011, a haul valued at $5.3 billion. That's an increase of 1.9 billion pounds and more than $784 million from 2010. Read the full story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I haven't received any angry calls yet, but I'm sure they'll be coming. I haven’t received any angry calls yet, but I’m sure they’ll be coming. They’ll come from sportsmen and sportswomen who are unable to get themselves or their children into a bow or hunter safety course this fall. The course is a requirement for first-time hunters to get a hunting license. I received an email, a sort of “heads-up” about the situation Friday morning from Michael Arnold, of Camillus, who coordinates the volunteer instructors for Onondaga County. “We will have completed 25 gun courses through the first week of October, with no other courses planned,” he said. “We will have completed 10 bow courses through the end of September, with no other courses planned.” Arnold said the gun safety courses began being offered in February, and bow courses in March. Courses early in the year often had empty seats. “Or put another way, there were ample opportunities for would-be registrants to attend either a gun or bow course in the first six months of the year. And we conducted the same number of courses in total in 2012 as we did in 2011,” he said. Arnold said he and other instructors have already started to get some grief. “Last Thursday, we registered 60 for a home study/online course — and turned away 64,” he said. “Some were understanding, some were disappointed and some were angry and abusive.” At this point, only one course remains this fall in Onondaga County. The course, offered over three days (Oct. 4-6), is at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, and students must pre-register in person at the club from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Arnold said it’s the same story every year. “People are angry when volunteer instructors don’t schedule and conduct more courses proximate to the opening days of the big-game seasons — or putting it another way, convenient for them and inconvenient for hunter/volunteer instructors,” he said. Arnold pointed out that many of the instructors are hunters who are getting ready for the fall season after teaching courses for months. The early start of this year’s bow-hunting season for deer (Oct. 1) has moved things up for them. On top of that, the idea of an 11th-hour hunter safety course doesn’t sit well with many instructors. “Many instructors have safety concerns when it comes to certifying people to hunt mere weeks before the opening day of the big-game hunting season because there is little time for a novice to become proficient with a firearm,” Arnold said. Mike McPeck, of Skaneateles, a master hunter/bowhuunter safety instructor (he gives courses and teaches others to teach them), agreed with Arnold. “I am also proud of our volunteer instructor staff that participates in classes and gives their time so others can enjoy our great outdoors through the sports of hunting and trapping,” he said. “It’s just sad that folks (the general public) who wish to take our classes don’t have the foresight to get into classes earlier in the year.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

To become a member of the club and to get into its record book, one must kill a buck that satisfies the club's minimum requirements for antler size. Currently, there are 7,000 members. Submitted photoMartin Hale poses with his 12-point buck he shot with his gun in Cato last fall. It scored 159 and 4/8 inches.Very few deer hunters get a big buck each fall. Even fewer get recognized by the New York State Big Buck Club. The club held its 40th annual statewide awards program and banquet on Saturday at the Rusty Rail Restaurant in Canastota, displaying more than 60 head mounts and antlers from across the state. The gathering also featured several black bear trophy mounts. This year, 275 attended the event. Most of the deer antlers were harvested during the 2011 season. A few were from years before. The club uses certified measurers who use the Boone and Crockett Scale, said club member Jim Massett, who organized the banquet and is an official measurer. To become a member of the club and to get into its record book, one must kill a buck that satisfies the club’s minimum requirements for antler size. Currently, there are 7,000 members. The minimum score for bowhunters is 120 inches for typical (symmetrical) antlers and 145 for non-typical Gun-killed deer must be at least 140 inches for typical sets and 165 for non-typical. There’s also a category for found shed antlers. To qualify, both antlers are required, with an automatic 18 inches given for the inside spread. The minimum score to qualify is 140 inches. Highlights this year included: - The biggest buck shot last year was taken by Michael Giarraputo, of Suffolk County, with a bow. The atypical rack boasted 23 points and scored 210 4/8 inches. It was a state record for this category. - The second biggest was also taken with a bow. The head mount of the 21-point buck that scored 201 6/8 inches was shot by Ray Mortimer, of Chautauqua County. “Every now and then the biggest buck is taken with a bow because there’s a number of places across the state where bowhunting only is allowed, and thus the deer aren’t as pressured and get a chance to grow bigger,” Massett said, noting that Suffolk and Monroe are among those counties. Submitted photoJames Dowd, of Oriskany Falls, in Oneida County, poses with his 10-pointer that he took with his bow. The typical rack scored 140 4/8 inches. Here are a few local hunters, their noteworthy bucks and where they were taken last year: - Bow (non-typical): Jeff Henry, Madison County (12 points, 160 3/8 inches); Paul Carlson, Cortland County (19 points, 153 5/8 inches). - Bow (typical): Fred J. Whatman II, Cortland County (10 points, 150 3/8 inches); Joseph Larkin, Cortland County (15 points, 148 5/8 inches); Dale Snover, Cayuga County (11 points, 148 2/8 inches); Martin Warner, Oswego County (8 points, 145 5/8 inches); Darrell Baker, Oswego County (9 points, 142 6/8 inches); Gary Nickerson, Cayuga County (8 points, 141, 5/8 inches); and James Dowd, Oneida County (10 points, 140 4/8 inches). - Gun (non-typical): Jason McDonald, Cortland County (12 points, 179 4/8 inches) - Gun (typical): Martin Hale, Cayuga County (12 points, 159 4/8 inches); James Hall, Oswego County (12 points, 154 1/8 inches); Bob Knapp, Onondaga County (11 points, 153 7/8 inches); and Nicholas Koldoziejczyk, Onondaga County (10 points, 146 inches). - Muzzleloader (typical): Keith Schlegel, Cayuga County (13 points, 145 5/8 inches) -For more information and pictures, go to the NYS Big Buck Club website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Both events are being held to commemorate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday. Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day. That resonates in Central New York, where there are more hunting and fishing licenses per capita than in any other area of the state. The Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, for example, represents 40 groups with a total of more than 5,000 members. This weekend there are two local events being held to commemorate National Hunting and Fishing Day. - Sportsmen’s Days . The family oriented Sportsmen’s Days,first held in 1980, always draws a big crowd. The event, jointly sponsored this year by Honeywell and the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, is set for 11 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the county-run Carpenter’s Brook Hatchery on Route 321 in Elbridge. This weekend’s schedule includes a variety of exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Admission is $5 per car. Activities include skeet shooting (shotgun), turkey and goose calling, waterfowl identification, archery, BB gun shooting, fly fishing, jig tying, canoeing, muzzle loading, trout fishing in the hatchery pond, wild game/cooking demonstrations, fire starting and survival, a birds of prey demonstration, retriever dog demonstrations and much more. There will be free prize drawings every hour, including a grand prize of a fishing charter for four on Lake Ontario. I’ll be there sitting at a table from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Stop by and say hello. Don’t worry, I won’t bite. For more see www.federationofsportsmen.com, or call the hatchery at 689-9367. - Hatchery open house. This is the Salmon River hatchery’s 17th annual open house. The state Department of Environmental Conservation complex is located at 2133 County Route 22, Altmar. Admission is free. Visitors can tour the hatchery, learn about fishing for Pacific salmon and learn about rare and endangered fish. Volunteers will teach how to cast with a fishing rod, tie flies and fly cast. There are several activities for children, including fish identification, discovery of creatures of Beaverdam Brook, the popular “Backyard Bass” and “Hook and Ladders” fishing games, and the Oswego County Cooperative Extension 4-H laser shooting range. Guests can also visit the nearby Salmon River Falls, a DEC Unique Area located four miles from the hatchery. The 110-foot waterfall offers trails and viewing areas with spectacular scenery. For more information contact the Salmon River Hatchery at 298-7605. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The New York State Recreational Vehicle Show begins Friday and lasts through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds. The event is being sponsored by the RV Dealers Association of Syracuse and the Campground Owners of New York. Cost is $8. Children under 16 are free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to... The New York State Recreational Vehicle Show begins Friday and lasts through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds. The event is being sponsored by the RV Dealers Association of Syracuse and the Campground Owners of New York. Cost is $8. Children under 16 are free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. This year’s show will feature motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, tent campers, truck campers, conversion vans, quality pre-owned RVs and more. For more, see the event's website.. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Crossing into the two states with a deer carcass from New York is a violation and could result in legal prosecution. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire hunters taking deer in New York are warned not to transport the carcasses through Vermont or Massachusetts. Fish and Game officials say New York has been removed from New Hampshire’s list of jurisdictions with chronic wasting disease, but Vermont and Massachusetts still have regulations against importing deer from New York. Crossing into the two states with a deer carcass from New York is a violation and could result in legal prosecution. New Hampshire residents hunting in New York can bring their deer home as a field-dressed carcass instead of only the de-boned meat, hide and antlers. The rule was changed this year. The issue arose when two deer tested positive for the disease in New York in 2005. None have tested positive since. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

“Sportsmen are players in the area of conservation and their voices are too often not being heard,” Parker said. “We as a group can change that.” Chuck Parker Chuck Parker, of Mexico, was recently elected president of the New York State Conservation Council. The group’s mission is to “aid in the formulation and establishment of sound policies and practices designated to conserve, protect, restore and perpetuate forests, wildlife and scenic and recreational areas” in the state so that current and future generations can enjoy these resources. Parker 62, is an an avid outdoors sportsman. He was honored in 2011 by The Post-Standard as one of that year's five local “Heroes of Conservation.” According to the 2011 story, “His involvement includes being first vice president of the New York State Conservation Council, president of the Oswego County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, secretary/treasurer for the Oswego County Sportsmen’s Foundation (founding member), and a representative to the Region 7 Open Space Planning Board. In addition, he is Oswego County’s hunter safety coordinator and a longtime member of the Mad River Club, along with managing the websites for five organizations. “I believe that seven out of 10 sportsmen do not belong to a sportsmen or rod and gun club, nor realize that a county federation or a statewide organization even exists to protect their interests, ” he said. “They may have strong feelings on the future of hunting and fishing, but they are not doing anything to let their opinions be known, or to protect our sport. That needs to change.” Parker said he aims to increase the involvement of individuals and groups in the Conservation Council’s activities. For more on the council, see it's website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> "We initially figured it was the birds coming back from the south and (that they were real hungry," she said. </p> <div id="asset-11590547" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="285" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11590547-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="SUNP0013.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>Kristin Decare, of Volney, sent me this interesting photo taken with her trail camera.</p> <p>She wrote: "Hi Dave, I am Kristin DeCare from Volney NY who sent story about red squirrel eating a bird a year ago or so. Well this time I have a raccoon picture that was quite funny -- not so at the time, but kind of now. We were out camping and when we came home only a week later it was empty.</p> <p>"Figured first it was just the birds coming back from the south and (that they were) real hungry. So filled it again and a couple nights later the same thing happened. So had husband put up trail camera and see what we got pictures of.</p> <p>"It was a real funny critter and I have about a dozen pictures of it in different poses emptying it out and when it managed to get it off the pole it was looking down at it on the deck."</p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Lake Ontario salmon action remains hot as well. Meanwhile, there's a few reports trickling in of anglers catching walleyes from shore during the evening on Oneida Lake casting stickbaits. </p> <p><strong>CNY FISHING FORECAST</strong></p> <p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100355764367821392533.00048c1449e56444f07e7&z=7">Bait stores (list and map).</a> </p> <p><strong>LAKE ONTARIO</strong> <br />The salmon fishing scene continues to be hot. Lots of chinook salmon are being caught in 70 to 100 feet of water. Anglers are still using flashers and A-Tom-Mik flies, along with cut-bait and Spin Doctors and flies. You might also want to try J-plugs.<br /> <br /><strong>SALMON RIVER</strong> <br />There were several substantial runs of chinooks this week. “From Pineville downstream the fishing is ridiculously good,” one source said. Meanwhile, the upper fishing zone remains closed until Oct. 31 due to the low water level.<br /> <br /><strong>OSWEGO RIVER</strong> <br />There are a lot of salmon reported in the river, along with a few brown trout. Remember there are new personal flotation device zones on the Oswego River below the Varick Dam. This regulation was implemented by the city of Oswego and Brookfield Power. Violators will be ticketed. </p> <p><strong>ONEIDA LAKE</strong> <br />Things continue to change with the cooler temperatures. The perch bite has improved lately, with anglers catching them from shore and in boats. A few anglers have also started picking up walleye by casting from shore in the evening, using stickbaits. </p> <p><strong>CAYUGA LAKE</strong> <br />Fishing was slow on the lake last week. Anglers were again marking fish and a lot of bait, but they were having little luck getting strikes. 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. </p> <p><strong>SENECA LAKE</strong> <br />Trout and salmon fishing continues to be slow. A few lake trout were hitting Spin Dr.’s and Flies fished 70 to 90 feet down. Yellow perch fishing picked up last week, though, with fish being caught on the south end and by the salt plant.<br /> <br /><strong>OWASCO LAKE</strong> <br />Lots of nice perch and bass are being caught on fathead minnows and live crayfish.<br /> <br /><strong>OTISCO LAKE</strong> <br />Anglers are still reeling in bass and panfish. Apart from that, nothing new to report.<br /> <br /><strong>SKANEATELES LAKE</strong> <br />Rainbow trout are still hitting small spoons fished 45 to 65 feet down. Trout are feeding on small yellow perch, so good colors for the spoons have been perch colors. Bass fishing continues to be good 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.<br /> <br /><strong>SODUS BAY</strong> <br />Bass fishing continues to the big thing here, although some anglers are catching salmon by casting off the pier.<br /> <br /><strong>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR</strong> <br />The water temperature continues to drop. The crappie and perch bite have been strong. Fish the edges of the breaks in the river channel. Many fish are hanging along those edges. Anglers are also catching bluegills by trolling and then anchoring and fishing with small jigs when fish are found. </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'm looking for a fall turkey hunter who uses dogs. Call me at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected] Here's what's on tap this week on The Post-Standard's outdoors pages: Friday: Main piece: A look at last weekend's NYS Big Buck Club awards program and banquet. Several locals were honored. Column: There's lots in store for outdoors enthusiasts this weekend with the Sportsmen's Field Days at the Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery and the open house at the DEC's Salmon River hatchery. Sunday: The DEC this year has created a new strain of pheasant -- a hybrid. It's a cross between a Mongolian and the well-known Chinese/Korean strain. They're a little bit bigger than bird that have been released in the past. Column: Still mulling 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 -- Some who goes to the extreme to eliminate all scents from their body and clothes when they go bow hunting for deer. -- Someone who successfully hunts with a traditional long bow for deer 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 king (chinook) and steelhead have been coming in together for the past 10 days. last night's cold temperatures brought in some coho, according to a staffer at the Douglaston Run, a private fishing area on the river's lower end. I've received several reports that the annual salmon run on the Salmon River kicked into gear again this week, thanks to the rain and colder weather we've been having. "We're seeing kings (chinook), cohos and steelhead," said Norman Nash, a staffer at the Douglaston Salmon Run, a private fishing area at the river's lower end. It covers the first 3 1/2 miles off the lake. Anglers pay a daily fee of $45 to fish the stretch. "You have the cohos coming in because of the cold weather last night, and the steelheads have been mixed with the kings on and off for the past 10 days," he said. Jason Maccue, of Fat Nancy's Tackle Shop in Pulaski, said , "Since last Monday we've had solid runs every day. I've been talking to a guide who fishes the first riffle in the river and he said it's been non-stop." "There's fish all through the river. From Pineville downstream, it's just ridiculously good right now," he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It will run in conjunction with the Salmon River Festival The following is a press release from the Oswego County Tourism Office: PULASKI – Calling all anglers to the second annual Salmon River Fishing Derby on Oswego County’s famed Salmon River! The derby runs from Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7 in conjunction with the annual Salmon River Festival in Pulaski. “The Salmon River records more record-size salmon caught in its waters than any river in the eastern United States,” said Vernon Chamberlain, derby organizer and president of the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum. “The beauty and hospitality of the region, the majesty of the river and the size of the salmon caught make our angler’s experience uniquely rewarding. We hope this derby helps get that word out.” The tournament offers a grand prize, 100 percent payout for the largest king salmon caught over the three-day event. There will be daily weigh-ins and thousands of dollars in smaller prizes awarded for various additional categories. All derby participants must be pre-registered. Registration and a weigh-in station will be located at the Ringgold Firemen’s Dunbar Field at the end of Lewis Street, just off Route 11 in Pulaski. Chamberlain added, “Last year, 75 anglers competed for cash prizes in the derby. The big winner of the 100 percent payout was Kenneth Green from Altmar. He won $2,100 for bringing in the event’s largest king salmon, which weighed in at 31.8 pounds.” Daily cash prizes were also awarded for first-, second-, and third-place catches of the largest coho salmon and raffle winners took home donated prizes such as a bicycle, a fishing pole, a grill and a handmade rocking chair. This year, derby organizers once again worked with the Pulaski Ringgold Fire Department to assemble a wide selection of live entertainment and vendors with items and displays specific to the fishing industry. Fred Betts, curator of the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum, invited many collectors to display their antique lures and reels and talk about the history of their collections. Visitors will find additional family-friendly attractions, entertainment, food and vendors located at the South Park on Route 11 in Pulaski as part of the 13th annual Salmon River Festival. “Together, both events offer a fun-filled weekend for visitors and residents,” said Brian Leary, festival organizer. “Whether they are serious and aspiring anglers, families, or craft and antique lovers, we have something for everyone.” The tournament features an impressive list of sponsors such as head-liners Lake Ontario Outdoors Magazine, All Seasons Sports, Team E Media Outdoors, Tug Edge Outdoors, Lakeshore Hardwoods, Salmon Hills and the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum. Other sponsors include many fine small businesses in the eastern Lake Ontario region. “Area businesses were excited to see this event come to the region last year,” said Chamberlain. “People from all over the Northeast came to the derby and many are planning to return again this year.” The derby is a major fundraiser for the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the event. A guide takes guests through the extensive and unique collection of fishing memorabilia, which features a variety of antique and vintage items from around the world. The NYS DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery on county Route 22 in Altmar will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. A significant attraction for first-time visitors to the region and anyone who loves fish, the hatchery provides an in-depth look at how New York State maintains and preserves this world-class fishery. For derby questions, contact Vernon Chamberlain at 315-298-2213 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For rules and weigh-ins, visit the derby Web site . For more information about upcoming events in Oswego County, call the Oswego County Tourism Office at 1-800-596-3200 ext. 8322 or visit its website. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> The DEC has announced a special youth firearms weekend during Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 6-. </p> <p><strong>Editor's note: The following is a reaction to last week's announcement by the state Department of Environmental Conservation noting that the special Youth Firearms Hunt (ages 14-15 with an adult mentor) for deer during Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 6- is a go this fall:</strong></p> <p><strong>By John Marino</strong></p> <p>Wow, every time I think I've seen it all, another program gets implemented. I wonder if the person who actually came up with this idea took into consideration that some of us law abiding hunters who pay an exuberant amount of money for our licenses every year, have been waiting patiently to get into the woods early season and bow hunt.</p> <div id="asset-11583848" class="entry_widget_small entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-small"><img height="232" width="155" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11583848-small.png" class="adv-photo" alt="IMG953980.png" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="caption">John Marino</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div> <p><br />I'm all for taking a kid hunting, as I did it with my own kids. They followed all the rules and hunted along with the other gun hunters during the regular season.</p> <p>This is a huge safety issue and after the fact is not going to do anyone any good.</p> <p>The DEC has the strictest regulations that I've ever seen, yet they open the books at the drop of a hat and basically show these young hunters safety is not an issue, because you will have the woods full of bow hunters, early season, lots of foliage, and at the same time they are gun hunting, we will be wearing camo, and actually putting our lives in jeopardy.</p> <p>This is stupid, dangerous and sickening.</p> <p>These young hunters need to learn the correct way to hunt, not be given cart blanche access to the woods with a rifle during bow season.</p> <p>I have been bow hunting with my boys for 10 years now, and we look forward to the quiet time in the woods, to bond, reflect on past seasons and enjoy the woods, without worry of a stray bullet coming our way from an inexperienced hunter trying to fill a 3 day tag..............is this where all our money is going too?</p> <p>You people better take a long hard look at the laws your enforcing and the laws your implementing, this time the blood is going to be on YOUR hands, not ours. </p> <p>I only hope your officers don't have to make out that report, as they stand over a fallen bow hunter, who was enjoying his time in the woods, until he was mistaken for a deer of either sex.</p> <p>How about the youth that pulled the trigger? think he's ever going to be normal again if such a tragedy were to happen?</p> <p>Bow hunters, leaves on the trees, camo clothing, entering the woods at dawn and dusk, oh and inexperienced hunters with high powered rifles........with a deadline of 3 days to score that first deer, what a bad combination.</p> <p>Stop and think about it. If the parents are hunters, then the youth will follow in their footsteps and follow all the regulations as they were taught.</p> <p>You people dangle this carrot out there, that gun hunters will be allowed in the woods early season, and watch the storm come........</p> <p>I pray that I don't pick up the paper on October 9th, only to read that a bow hunter was shot to death as he walked through the woods to his tree stand, in his brown camo, possibly with his son or daughter, who starting at an early age, spent endless hours teaching them to be safe and ethical hunters.</p> <p>The DEC may want to revise the Hunting Regulations, as I'm positive that your not allowed in the woods with a center fire rifle during bow season. New rules, new regulations.....</p> <p>In my profession, safety comes before anything else, as it should. I cant understand why or how this could be allowed. I know, just take the weekend off from bow hunting, or better yet, go find a young relative or friend who doesn't hunt, get them a big game license, slap a high powered rifle in their hand and go join the fun!!.</p> <p>Don't forget to explain to them, that this year, you can invade the woods early, even before gun season opens, and shoot whatever you want...........and it's all legal.</p> <p>This is not the way to teach our youth how to hunt....leave that to the parents..........makes me sick!! </p> <p><strong>Marino lives in Fulton.</strong><br /> </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It's actually near part of the Old Erie Canal -- a shortcut on the Oneida River, " said Jim Daher, of Mickey's Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse. John Berry/The Post-StandardHector Vergara fishes with his grandson Anthony Vergara, 8, at the NYS DEC fishing access site to the Oneida River, located along Bonstead Road in the town of Clay. They both live in Liverpool. It's one of those local fishing spots that's hottest in the spring and fall. However, anglers continue to frequent the shoreline under the Route 481 bridge spanning the Oneida River throughout the summer. "It's actually near part of the Old Erie Canal -- a shortcut on the Oneida River, " said Jim Daher, of Mickey's Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse. "The locals call it 'Big Ben.' When the shortcut was made, Horseshoe Island was created, " he added. The site under the overpass includes a parking lot, a state Department of Environmental Conservation-maintained boat launch and a dock. "It's a real hot spot in the spring for panfish using bobbers, along with minnows or jigs tipped with spikes. Also top-water lures, " Daher said. "Anglers catch crappie, perch, bluegill and sunfish." Others, he said, bottom fish for catfish. During the summer, he added, there's a lot weeds. "Your best bet now is to cast out a bobber with a minnow on it for bass, or to use a top-water lure, " he said. Local bass fishermen frequently use the launch for weekly bass fishing tournaments. "A good place to fish for bass is off the dock, when the boats aren't being launched, " Daher said. Bass angler Mike Cusano, of Clay, who occasionally launches his boat there, said he's seen shore anglers pull in carp, catfish and a variety of panfish. "Along with both largemouth and smallmouth bass, " he added. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

His mom said he was using a "spoon lure." Submitted photoMatthew Cabal, caught these nice bass at the Onondaga Lake outlet just before a rain storm hit. His mom, Anne Cabal, wrote: "The smaller one was a largemouth bass and the larger one was a smallmouth bass. He used a spoon lure." Editor's note: Bass have to be at least 12 inches to keep. Otherwise, they must be released. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Some impressive smallmouth bass were landed. Submitted photoBrandon Schwoeppe holds up some impressive smallmouth bass. He won the boater division. The following is a press release from the Salt City Bassmasters fishing club: On Sept. 6, a total of 32 SCBM members competed in a tournament on Chaumont Bay. The 16 boat field blasted at 7 a.m. from the town ramp and returned at 3 p.m. for the weigh in. The tournament was sponsored by Brian Eisch of Advocare. Boater Division: Brandon Schwoeppe finished in first place weighing in 20.40 lbs. Schwoeppe areas of rock and weed mixed in 5 feet of water. He caught them on 5- inch wacky Senkos (watermelon w/gold flake), melon pepper colored tender tubes, and lucky craft RC 1.5 crankbaits (copper green color). Most of his fish came in the last 4 hours of the tournament day. All the fish he caught were smallmouth. Pat Grady Finished in second place weighing in 19.44 lbs. His bag also contained the boater division Lunker which weighed in at 5.13 lbs. Most of Grady’s fish came on a Rhapsody Maestro drop shot rod paired with a Shimano Stradic 2500 spooled with ten pound powerpro braid and eight pound BPS flourocardbon in 22 to 42. Other fish came on variety of baits such spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, kietech jigs, and a senko. He caught about 20 fish on the day, with only one fish being less than two and a half pounds. Ralph Alexander finished in third place weighing in 18.37 lbs. On Sunday there was no wind in the a.m. so Alexander made his way to some old stuff and the smallies were in. The fishing was slow and steady and it took a couple of hours for him to get a limit in the boat. Alexander was throwing a lipless crank to cover water and then a tube or poor boy goby on a football head. He went for largemouth and got a 3.5 pounder on a jig. In the process of culling Alexander realized the smallmouth in his area weighed more than he thought and he had a chance for 20 lbs or so if he could have got one or two more good ones in the boat. Submitted photoCurtis Waterman won the co-angler division. Co-Angler Division: Curtis Waterman finished in first place weighing in 17.02 lbs. Waterman fished a 10 inch Junebug Powerbait worm. The key was a small 1/8oz screw on weight. He would cast to the thick weeds and crawl the bait to the edge and then let it fall of the edge to the bottom. Sometimes the bass would hit on the drop and sometimes he would move it slowly back to the boat twitching it over the weeds as it got stopped by the weeds. Once it fell off that weed and fell to the bottom the bass would take it. His early morning 4 lbs smallmouth hit a KVD Sexy shad "red eye" bait and as soon as it hit the water the fish was on. Tom Pavlot finished second weighing in 16.35 lbs. Pavlot stayed in the bay and fished from 4 to 10 feet of water with a rock and weed bottom, but mostly scattered weed. Pavlot caught most of his fish on 2 baits. A 5 inch watermelon/Green Pumpkin Senko on a 1/8 oz Shakey head and a ½ oz war eagle screaming eagle spinnerbait in white with copper blades when the wind picked up. He did catch a few Largemouth flipping a Reaction innovations Sweet beaver in Mossy Mud with a 1/2 oz tungsten weight. All his fish were landed on Nereus Rods and Quantum Reels. Dereck Bigford finished in third place weighing in 15.50 lbs. His bag also included the co-angler division Lunker which weighed 5.64 lbs. Bigford fished drop shot and spinnerbaits in 4 to 18 feet of water. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

If you've seen a Russian wild boar or any other type of feral pig, call the DEC's Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Extension 247, or email the DEC at [email protected]. Submitted photoWild boars are seen on a trail cam set up on the Dickinson farm in Spafford. Tom Dickinson said before U.S. Department of Agriculture officials got involved, he never knew exactly how many wild boars were on his family’s property in Spafford. “We have 50 acres near the southern end of Skaneateles Lake,” he said. “Our land is posted, but every year we’d allow a select few to hunt the property. One individual shot a 400-pound sow two deer seasons ago.” Earlier this year, the family donated 21 acres to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, including about 1,300 feet of lakefront. In the spring, land trust officials were clearing an access path to the land when they stumbled across fresh signs of wild boars. “We came across this giant mud pit,” said Jason Gorman, a land steward for the land trust. “We saw all these foot prints and there was this rank odor. It looked like a bulldozer had come through and plowed up the ground slightly. It definitely put us on edge.” Land trust officials contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s APHIS office (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), which in turn contacted the Dickinsons, who were willing to cooperate. What transpired this summer was a successful skirmish in the Wild Boar War of Central New York. The war, more than a decade old, is still being waged with rough estimates of several hundred of the animals still out there in southern Onondaga, northern Cortland and parts of Tioga counties — and most likely spreading to other areas. Stephen Cannerelli/The Post-StandardTom Dickinson on his family's property in Spafford. Dickinson said his family allowed USDA officials to come on the property and hunt wild boars. Nonetheless, a three-person team of USDA workers, led by Justin Gansowski, a wildlife disease biologist, used a combination of trapping and hunting over bait to take out 20 wild boars on the Dickinson’s property. They averaged 100 to 120 pounds in weight, he said. “The biggest thing out of this, is that when you get good landowner cooperation, our methods work,” Gansowski said. This summer, he added, he and two other staffers worked with about 50 property owners. The most recent total count was 40 swine, he said. “They all appeared to be of Russian wild boar descent,” he said. “They were your stereotypical black and stiff, hairy (pigs).” Feral swine, which are described as “Bad News for New York” in the new state Department of Environmental Conservation’s hunting handbook, are a harmful and destructive invasive species. They’re widespread and causing problems in numerous other states. The ones Gansowski and Co. pursued locally are thought to have escaped from a private hunting preserve in the town of Scott. These animals are omnivores and will eat just about anything. They’ll disturb and prey on ground nesting birds and their eggs, young deer fawns, snakes, lizards, rodents — even roadkill. In addition to native plants, they dine on just about any agricultural crop. They like to wallow in wet areas, where they destroy the local vegetation, cause erosion and negatively affect water quality. Finally, they have razor sharp tusks and according to the DEC “can be aggressive toward humans, pets and livestock.” Feral swine have a tendency to spread — fast. They tend to have litters of six to eight piglets, two or three times a year. They can get big. Local hunters the past few years have turned in photos to this newspaper of boar they’ve shot in the in the 350- to 400-pound range. Submitted photoThe U.S.D.A. used large, baited corral-type traps to lure and capture pigs. In New York, all that’s required to hunt feral hogs is a small-game license. There’s no season, daily limits or prescribed methods. They can be baited, hunted at night or hunted with dogs. Simply hunting them, though, isn’t the solution, wildlife biologists say. Killing results in the others scattering over greater distances. The most effective way to catch them is using large, baited, corral-type traps that can capture most of the group at one time. The downside is the method is expensive and labor–intensive. “We started in March searching out feral swine populations, catching and removing as many as possible from the landscape and testing for diseases,” Gansowski said. These wild pigs can carry and transmit at least 30 different diseases, according to the DEC hunting guide. In recent years, the job of getting rid of these animals locally has been passed back and forth between federal and state wildlife biologists. “We’re the ones doing the management activities this year,” Ganswoski said. Dickinson said the USDA workers used several steps to clear his family’s property of wild boar. First, they scouted his land and used trail cameras to figure just where and how many there were. The next step was to set up large, corral-type traps. The insides of the traps were baited with corn, he said, and left open for extended periods to get the pigs used to coming inside. They were sprung twice and the captured pigs were killed. That left two more, Dickinson said. The workers simply baited an area and shot them at night. After testing the meat, most of the carcasses were put in a neighboring farmer’s compost pile. Some of the meat was given to neighbors who wanted to eat it, he said. “This works the best to eliminate the sounders (a group composed of mostly sows and piglets),” Gansowski said. “The boars are fairly solitary.” While state and federal officials are eager to get these animals off the landscape, some hunters think of the boars as “trophy animals,” and as good sources of meat to fill their freezers. Dickinson said he and many others landowners in the greater Scott/Spafford area have posted their properties, and are often irritated by trespassing hunters in search of a shot at a boar. “Don’t bother calling or contacting me to hunt on my property,” he said. “We have one trail camera still up and we haven’t seen one in five to six weeks. It looks like they were all eliminated.” Seen a wild boar lately? If you’ve seen a Russian wild boar or any other type of feral pig, call the DEC’s Cortland office at 1-607-753-3095, Extension 247, or email the DEC . View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog