HuntingNY-News

Admission and parking will be free. The annual Central New York Ski and Snowboard show is set for Sept. 14-16 at Horticulture Building on the State Fairgrounds. In addition to a wide variety of venders, the event will feature door prizes of lift tickets, ski- and stay-packages and learn-to-ski deals from various local mountains. The show will run 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Admission and parking will be free. Click here for more. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Who’s were the top guns this summer? The 799-member league determined that during its Aug. 26 shoot-off at the Bridgeport Rod and Gun Club. Who’s were the top guns in the Central New York Trap League this summer? The 799-member league determined that during its Aug. 26 shoot-off at the Bridgeport Rod and Gun Club. The Toad Harbor Rod and Gun Club team won the northern division, and the Skaneateles Rod and Gun Club was the southern division winner. Toad Harbor was declared the overall league winner. The southern division team competition was close. It was determined by a 50-clay, and then a 25-clay shoot-off between select members of the Skaneateles and the Pompey Rod and Gun Club. The league’s high average male shooter was Joe Fredericks from the 3 Rivers Rod and Gun Club. His shooting percentage for the 20-week league was 97.684. For the women, the high average shooter for the northern division was JoAnna Bishop, from South Shore Rod and Gun Club (95.250). Jackie Chapin, from the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, led the southern division (89.231). The “high gun of the day” at the Aug. 26 event was Chris Landon, of the Skaneateles Rod and Gun Club. Landon came out on top in a shoot-off after 12 shooters had each hit 50 out of 50 clays. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The squirrel, early Canada goose and crow hunting seasons all opened Sept. 1. Dick Blume/The Post-StandardThe squirrel hunting season kicked off Sept. 1. The daily bag limit is six. Tis the season to hunt. Three hunting seasons opened Sept. 1 — squirrel, early Canada goose and crow — with more to come in October and November. Squirrels (gray, black and fox squirrel): The daily bag limit is six and the season lasts until Feb. 28. Red squirrels, though, are unprotected and may be hunted at any time without limit. Some hunt squirrels with shotguns; others use small-caliber (.22) rifles. “It’s a great opportunity to get out in the woods, to scout for the upcoming deer season and to get reacquainted with your firearm,” said Stephen Wowelko, of Syracuse. Wowelko said he eats the squirrels he shoots and has a great recipe for the meat, which he cooks in hard apple cider. Canada goose: The daily bag limit for the early Canada goose season is eight birds and it lasts until Sept. 25. Hunters must also use “non-toxic” shot. Lead is not allowed. This special season was created to cull the state’s resident (as opposed to migratory) Canada geese population. Last spring, the state Department of Environmental Conservation estimated there are more than 200,000 state-wide. In addition to a small-game license, goose hunters must also possess a 2012-2013 federal migratory bird hunting stamp (available at the local post office.) and be registered under the Harvest Information Program (HIP) and have an HIP number. Call 1-888-427-5447 or register online at www.ny-hip.com. If a hunter shoots a banded bird, those should be reported using the toll-free number (1-800-327-BAND) or web address on the band (www.reportband.gov). Crows: There’s no daily bag limit and the season lasts until March 31. Although crows are classified as a migratory game bird, there’s no requirement for hunters to register with the Harvest Information Program, nor are there any restrictions on the type of shot that can be used. Crows can be hunted with shotguns or rifles, and recorded electronically amplified bird calls or sounds can be used to draw them in. During the season, crows can only be pursued Friday through Monday. The hunting days restriction was prompted by the DEC to maximize the number of days allowed under federal guidelines for migratory birds. Final note: For those hunting in these three seasons prior to Oct. 1, a 2011-2012 small-game, hunting license is required. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Tickets have been handed out to anglers who violated the rules. </p> <p>The fall salmon spawning run is expected to be in full swing later this month on the Oswego River.</p> <p>Anglers on the river, which can be dangerous at times depending on the water flow, should be aware that the Oswego City Police and state Department of Environmental Conservation officers will be enforcing new water safety measures implemented earlier this year.</p> <p>Late last month, city police ordered two anglers who were not wearing personal flotation devices (P.F.D.s), out of the water. Louis Myers, 24, and Albert Mendez, 23, both of Fulton, were fishing in a restricted area and were ticketed for trespassing, a violation.</p> <p>“They’re not the first and there’s been several others who have been ticketed during the past couple of weeks,” said Capt. David Lizotti, of the Oswego Police Department.</p> <p>In July, after reaching a settlement with the families of two fishermen who drowned in the Oswego River in September 2010, Brookfield Power announced the designation of danger zones in some of the popular fishing areas near the utility’s powerhouse. Officials put up 26 signs along the river, marking the areas as dangerous and as mandatory PFD zones.</p> <p>The new rules are:</p> <p>šAnglers not wearing a life vest are prohibited in these designated zones</p> <p>šIt is prohibited to remain in, or to enter into the river in PFD zones — whether wearing a PFD or not — following the activation of the siren, or while the red warning light is illuminated, indicating water flow changes near the Varick Dam and powerhouse.</p> <p>Failure to follow these rules will result in a ticket for trespassing.</p> <p>Brookfield and the families of anglers Leonard M. Nichols, 45, of Wellsburg, and Clifford Luther, 52, of Horseheads, reached a $1.8 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families. The men drowned while fishing in the Oswego River when the waterway was high on Sept. 28, 2010.</p> <p>Neither of the anglers were wearing life jackets when they drowned </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> He caught while fishing with his nephew off Fair Haven. </p> <div id="asset-11530573" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="454" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/11530573-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="photo.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>Doug Russell, of Liverpool, holds up a nice chinook salmon he caught recently while fishing on Lake Ontario with his nephew, Mike Juskow, off Fair Haven.</p> <p>He said he caught the fish on a green-colored spoon. </p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Oneida Lake has been a little bit warm lately and the fishing has been tough. CNY FISHING FORECAST LAKE ONTARIO Lake Ontario salmon fishing scene continues to be hot. Lots of chinook salmon are being caught in 120 feet of water, fishing about 80 feet down using flashers and A-Tom-Mik flies. SALMON RIVER River is still very low. Regardless, a few small runs of chinook salmon have been spotted recently making their way up the river. Little salmon activity to report at this time in the river, but fishing in the lake off the mouth of the river has been good for anglers trolling. OSWEGO RIVER Water remains low and warm. Sheepshead and rock bass are active throughout the river, with crayfish and worms working. ONEIDA LAKE The lake’s water is still a little warm and fishing has been tough lately. Walleye fishing continues to be slow on the lake as young-of-the-year shad are becoming large enough for the walleye to feed on. Anglers report marking large schools of baitfish. Blade baits and bucktail jigs tipped with a night crawler are producing some walleye in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are also keying in on the shad schools, so keep an eye out for terns or seagulls. When bass chase the shad to the surface, birds will swoop down to eat the shad. You can see this bird activity from a greater distance than you can see bass rolling on the surface as they chase shad. Good lures are lipless crankbaits, topwater or plastic stickbaits. CAYUGA LAKE Little has changed from last week with lake trout hitting spoons, or flasher and flies, fished 80 to 90 feet down over 100 to 150 feet of water. Many methods are working to get lures down to depth such as copper, wire, lead core, Dipseys and downriggers. Running Dipseys 200 to 300 feet back, 10 colors of lead core, and copper at 400 feet back have been good starting lengths. Vertical jigging continues to work for lake trout in 80 to 95 feet of water. SENECA LAKE Lake trout continue to hit Spin Doctors and flies, and also spoons, fished 50 to 80 feet down over 120 feet of water. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics has also been working for lake trout in 90 to 110 feet of water. OWASCO LAKE Lake trout are being taken down 80 to 90 feet over 100 to 150 feet of water on spoons or flasher and flies. Bass and perch are also being caught. For the bass, try live crayfish or tube jigs, plastic stick worms and drop shot rigs. Pumpkin green and watermelon are good colors for plastics. Best time of fish is early morning or late evening. Try fathead minnows for perch. OTISCO LAKE Bass continue to hit wacky-rigged stick worms and plastic worms on drop-shot rigs in 10 feet of water along weed edges. Flipping tube baits and creature baits into the weed mats is also working for largemouth bass. SKANEATELES LAKE Rainbow trout are hitting small spoons fished 45 to 65 feet. Trout are feeding on small yellow perch, so good colors for the spoons have been perch colors. Glow baits are also working well. Bass fishing continues to be good from 10 to 25 feet, with tube jigs, plastic stick worms and drop shot rigs all working. Pumpkin green and watermelon continue to be good colors for plastics. Best time of fish is early morning or late evening. SODUS BAY Bass fishing has been good early and late in the day with spinnerbaits, topwaters and a variety of plastics working. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Anglers continue to catch bluegills by trolling and then anchoring and fishing with small jigs when fish are found. Walleye are being caught early or late in the day for anglers trolling with worm harness and nightcrawlers along the old river channel. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it on a worm. Submitted photo Max McKee, 9, of Manlius, proudly holds up a 14-inch, largemouth bass he caught recently with a worm. He was fishing off a dock in Sodus Bay with his brother, Jack. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'm looking for someone in CNY who hunts Canada geese from coffin blinds in cornfields. Contact me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. Dick Blume/The Post-StandardThe squirrel hunting season kicked off Sept. 1. The daily bag limit is six.Can you believe the summer is over and the kids are back to school? What a heck of a summer. Meanwhile, the fall outdoor sports scene has started. Three hunting seasons began Sept. 1 and the annual fall salmon run on the Salmon River should peak in a few weeks. Here's what's on tap this week in the Outdoors pages of The Post-Standard. FRIDAY: Main piece: A wrapup of three hunting seasons that kicked off Sept. 1 -- squirrels, early Canada goose and crow. (That's right, crow). Column: An update on the Oswego River fishing scene. Bottom line: Wear your life preservers if you wade out into the river and obey the signs. Otherwise, you'll be ticketed. Some have already been handed out. For the birders, I note that the 16th annual Montezuma Muckrace is set for this weekend. Teams from across the state compete in this 24-hour birding competition. SUNDAY: Main piece: If said it all through the summer and I'll say it again for this fall. The salmon fishing on Lake Ontario this year is really rocking. Charter boat captains say this year continues to be the best in year. If you're thinking of getting out on the lake to fish for salmon -- September is the month. Submitted photoKyle Spencer holds up a 29-pound chinook salmon he caught recently on Lake Ontario, while fishing with his grandfather and a family friend, Ken Bryant. Column: Still mulling what I'm writing about. I'll given an update on the new crossbow bill, and upcoming annual fall gun show at the state fairgrounds. I'll also write about how the cover of the new DEC fishing guide has a picture of two Skaneateles brothers on it. In coming weeks, I'd like to write about the following outdoors activities. If you know someone who does these activities, contact me ASAP: -- Hunting Canada goose from coffin blinds in a cornfield -- Crow hunting -- 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

Sportsmen in New York State support an expansion of crossbow hunting and a law that would require the DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsmen’s fees. They oppose lowering the junior hunting age, according to the survey's results. Mike Greenlar/The Post-StandardThe majority of those surveyed favored the use of crossbows during the regular archery season. The following is a press release from Sen. Patty Richie's office: Sportsmen in New York State support an expansion of crossbow hunting, and a law that would require the DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsmen’s fees and oppose lowering the junior hunting age, according to Sen. Patty Ritchie’s 2012 Sportsmen’s Survey. Nearly 1,300 sportsmen shared their opinions and ideas on hunting and fishing in New York State in her 2012 Sportsmen’s Survey. “Hunting and fishing are two favorite pastimes of many New Yorkers,” said Sen.Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie. “Not only are they great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, hunting and fishing are also major industries in New York State—responsible for generating $1.5 billion every year.” “This survey allowed sportsmen to voice their opinions—their likes and their dislikes when it comes to hunting and fishing in our state. The results of this survey will help to make the hunting and fishing experience better for people in New York, while at the same time help the industry to expand and provide a bigger boost to the economy.” Senator Ritchie’s survey indicated that 81% of sportsmen use a rifle or shotgun when hunting, and an overwhelming portion of participants—84 % —stated that they typically hunt deer. Some of the key findings in Senator Ritchie’s survey results included: - 80% of participants expressing support for a law sponsored by Senator Ritchie that would require the DEC to offer “gift cards” that could be used to pay sportsmen’s fees. - 61% of sportsmen supporting the use of crossbows during the regular archery season - 72% of people expressing opposition for lowering the junior hunting age below the current 12 year-old minimum. - 66% in support of the DEC’s adjustment of this year’s hunting calendar in the Northern Zone; to avoid dates late in Decembe. - 58% of sportsmen expressing support for granting sportsmen permission to allow motorized access to state land in the Adirondacks. - 64% of participants in support of the DEC relaxing its rules on bait fish, such as minnows, to allow people to catch their own bait. Senator Ritchie also invited sportsmen to share their suggestions on how to make the hunting experience more enjoyable as well as their opinions on nuisance permits and doe permits, topics which many were divided on. To read comments shared by sportsmen, visit the following links: Nuisance permits Doe Permits Other ideas Read the full results of the survey. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He and his fishing buddy that day were using top water lures and soft plastics to catch some "quality smallies." Submitted photo Mike Cusano, of Clay, holds up a nice, 4-pound smallmouth bass he caught recently on Lake Ontario. His fishing partner that day, Burnie Haney, wrote: "I shared the boat with Mike this weekend on the big lake and we used top waters and soft plastics to catch some quality smallies. Here’s one of the better ones we landed." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The event is being put on by the New York State Arms Collectors Association. The Syracuse Gun Show is scheduled for Sept. 15-16 in the Center of Progress Building at the State Fairgrounds. The show will feature more than 800 exhibits and displays, according to Sandy Ackerman Klinger, the show's manager. The event is being put on by the New York State Arms Collectors Association. Featured will be displays and sales tables of U.S. military arms, Colt revolvers, high grade double-barreled shotguns, Remingtons, muskets, Smith and Wesson, Kentucky rifles, gun parts and accessoriies, Native American item, frontier and Western paraphrenalia, military relics, equipment from before the Revolutionary War and much more. The show will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15, and 9 to 3 p.m. Sept. 16. Cost is $6 per person; seniors, $5 and children under 12 free (must be accompanied by an adult ). For more information, call Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He, his grandfather and a friend caught some nice largemouth bass, the biggest being 17 inches. The young angler also hooked and lost a 30-plus inch northern pike. Submitted photo Nathan Shimer, 14, of Jamesville, holds up an 18-inch chain pickerel that he caught recently while fishing on the Erie Canal near Fayetteville. He wrote: "It was an overcast sky, with a temperature of about 75 degrees. My grandfather and I had been at the Canal since 6:45 AM, which is usually when we start fishing. "We soon met up with a friend who biked from his house to fish with us, and by eight o'clock, we had already managed to land some nice largemouth bass, the biggest being 17" and about 3.5 pounds. It was about 8:30 when the pickerel hit. I was using a 7" ribbontail Berkley Power Worm in Tequilla Sunrise color at the time that was rigged weedless and weightless on a number 2/0 Gamatasku EWG worm hook. "I was flipping the worm next to some thick rooted vegetation when the fish shot out of the weeds and just took off with my worm. After it was hooked it fought for about 3-4 minutes before I was able to lift it over the bank. " I then measured it and my grandfather took the attached picture. Afterwards, the fish was safely released. It was the biggest pickerel that I've ever caught on the canal. "However, if things had gone well a few weeks before this fish was caught, then you would be looking at a 30+ inch pike that I hooked in the Canal. "Unfortunately, this fish didn't cooperate and ended up stripping 50-70 yards of ten pound line off of my reel before giving a massive throbbing headshake that straightened one of the same heavy-duty hooks mentioned above. "Of course, I lost the fish. But I guess you just can't catch 'em all!" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The events will include instructional demonstrations, auctions of trapping and lure supplies, games and food and drink. Local fur trappers have two get-togethers scheduled in September. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 9, there’s the Solon Fur Rondy at the Solon Sportsman’s Club, 4475 Sportsman Road in Solon, Cortland County. “A Rondy is a rendezvous,” said Al La France, president of the CNY Independent Fur Harvesters of Central New York. “There will be instructional demonstrations, an auction of trapping supplies and lures, along with games. Food and drink will be available. There’s no admission fee.” The Oswego County Trappers Fur Rondy is being held at Camp Zerbie, 253 State Route 104 in Williamstown, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14-15 with many of the same offerings. There is no admission fee. A trapper’s training course is being offered at 8 a.m. Sept. 15. For further information on the Solon event, call 607-756-6763. For the Oswego gathering, call 963-7779 or 216-6859. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Part of the bill would eliminate the DEC-backed, special youth firearms hunt for deer set for Columbus Day weekend. The hunt was supposed to begin this fall. As of Friday, a bill that would continue the state’s restrictions and seasons for hunting with a crossbow until December 2014 still sits on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk. The current regulations, which expire Dec. 31, allow the use of crossbows only during the regular firearms season and late muzzleloader seasons. The use of crossbows to hunt deer is not allowed during the regular bow hunting season. Crossbow advocates were hoping new legislation would allow crossbows in the regular archery season, at least for senior and physically challenged hunters. It appears that won’t happen. The new bill also includes a clause that eliminates the DEC’s proposed Columbus Day weekend youth deer hunt, which was set to begin this year. The bill’s approval in the state Legislature was seen by many as a victory for New York Bowhunters, Inc., the statewide group that has lobbied against crossbow use within the regular archery season. It was a setback for the newly formed New York Crossbow Coalition, which is pushing for more liberal use of crossbows during the fall hunting seasons. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The best tale will win "The Strike, Tournament Edition," which is a bass fishing Wii game sold at Bass Pro Shops. I’m looking for the best fishing tales of the summer from local anglers. Catch a salmon on a Snoopy toddler pole? Hook a monster muskie while fishing for panfish off a dock? Lose your fishing rod over the side of your boat on Oneida Lake in 20 feet of water — and then retrieve it the following week? I want to hear all about it. Pictures would help. Keep your stories to no more than 350 words and send them and your photos to [email protected]. Include your full name, where you live and a daytime phone number. The best tale will win “The Strike, Tournament Edition,” which is a bassfishing Wii game sold at Bass Pro Shops. The deadline for entries is noon Thursday. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The National Geographic Channel said that Melissa Bachman, an animal hunter who writes for a blog called “Hardcore Huntress,” will no longer be a participant in the coming reality series “Ultimate Survivor Alaska.” View the full article

Many new canoeing areas and waterway access points have been added to the park in recent years By Mary Esch The Associated Press SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. (AP) — A new guide to flatwater paddling in the Adirondack Park offers canoeists and kayakers a diverse selection of adventures, from remote, winding streams to broad lakes reflecting spectacular mountain vistas. “Adirondack Paddling: 60 Great Flatwater Adventures,” will be available early this month from Lost Pond Press and the Adirondack Mountain Club. It describes day trips and multiday backcountry camping excursions for paddlers of all abilities, from beginners to seasoned explorers. It was written by Phil Brown, editor of the Adirondack Explorer news magazine and avid canoeist, hiker and rock climber. Mary Esch/The Associated PressIn this Aug. 25 photo, Leah and Bruce Nelson, of Albany paddle onto Floodwood Pond in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest in the Adirondack Park. A new guidebook, "Adirondack Paddling: 60 Great Flatwater Adventures, " is due out this month. “We asked Phil to do this book because we felt there was a need for a guide to the best paddling opportunities from every corner of the Adirondack Park,” said Neil Woodworth of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Many new canoeing areas and waterway access points have been added to the Adirondack Park in recent years, through acquisitions of large tracts from timber companies and other private landowners. Dave Cilley, who runs St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake, said he’s seen a trend over the years of more people paddling but taking shorter trips, although that’s starting to swing back as more young people and overseas visitors take canoe trips in the Adirondacks. “It’s been a very exciting time to be in the paddlesports business in the Adirondacks, with all the land acquisitions by the state,” Cilley said. T Cilley’s “Adirondack Paddler’s Map,” a waterproof map that’s become the mainstay of paddling in the region, was updated with a fifth edition this spring, and his new map, covering southern and western Adirondack waterways, came out in June. Brown’s new guide doesn’t focus on any one area or type of paddling, instead providing a sampler of the great variety of destinations within the Adirondack Park. For example: — Middle Branch of the Moose River in Old Forge, where you can buy a ticket for a scenic railroad train to return you and your kayak to your launch site after a leisurely six-mile downstream paddle through spruce-fir forest with some sandy beaches and rocky rapids along the way. —Little Tupper Lake, one of the jewels of the conservation legacy of former Gov. George Pataki, who preserved a million acres during his three terms in office. Little Tupper is a popular canoe area where all motors are banned. Numerous primitive campsites are secluded on its islands and wooded shores. — Upper Hudson and Opalescent Rivers in the High Peaks region near Lake Placid, where you can paddle downriver on the infant Hudson from Henderson Lake, another recent state Forest Preserve acquisition, past an abandoned strip mine and stunning views of the mountains. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced recently that the state will buy 69,000 acres of Adirondack land that includes the 11 Essex Chain Lakes, about 90 miles north of Albany near Newcomb; Boreas Ponds at the southern edge of the High Peaks Wilderness; and wild reaches of the Hudson, Cedar and Indian rivers. “These new acquisitions will provide some exciting new opportunities for paddlers,” Woodworth said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

DAVIS LOVE III says there’s a fly rod in every locker room on the PGA Tour. Michael Greenlar/The Post-StandardFly fishing and golf tend to appeal to those with contemplative, even analytic, temperaments. By Chris Santella New York Times News Service While shepherds were whacking bits of dried sheep dung around the spongy coastline of eastern Scotland in golf’s formative days, in the late 15th century, sportsmen and women to the south, in England, were tinkering with the use of artificial baits in what would come to be known as fly-fishing. The two sports share more than their ancestry. Both tend to appeal to those with contemplative, even analytic, temperaments. Both can arouse a powerful, even obsessive, fascination among the faithful, as well as a never-ending accumulation of gear. The connection between golf and fly-fishing first struck me 10 years ago, when a fishing guide recounted a day when he had taken Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara out on the Deschutes River in Oregon to cast flies for steelhead. As my friend recalled this special day on the river, I noted that many golfers I know fly-fish, and vice versa. Perhaps it’s the outdoor setting, pitting man against an indifferent if not inimical nature, be it in the form of finicky trout or gaping bunkers. Perhaps it’s the similarity of the motions of swinging and casting — the fact that the ball or fly goes farther when you move smoothly. “There’s never a locker room on tour that doesn’t have a fly rod in there,” said Davis Love III, a 20-time winner on the PGA Tour and the captain of the American Ryder Cup team. “Some of the guys will bring rods around with them on their practice rounds to make a few casts.” Love said it was the lakes on golf courses that got him interested in fishing. He began dabbling in fly-fishing because several other players on the PGA Tour, especially O’Meara, Jack Nicklaus and Paul Azinger, enjoyed it. Love has fished in places like the Bahamas and Silver Creek, in Idaho, but his current favorite fishing spot on the tour is the Blue Monster at Doral, near Miami. “One of the ponds on the Blue Monster course has peacock bass,” he said. “You can see them hanging around the rocks way out. Sometimes a group of us will go out after the day’s round.” For Nick Faldo, golf and fly-fishing are intimately connected. He said he became interested in fishing in 1986 when he was changing his swing. “My doctor took me down to the River Test in the south of England to give me a break from the range,” Faldo said. “There’s a famous mayfly hatch that occurs on the Test at that time, known as Duffers Fortnight. If you can’t catch a fish then, you’ll never catch one. I was hooked. “I find fly-fishing completely engrossing. I love the tranquility, the sound of the river. When you come upon a rising trout that’s picky and you have to try six different fly patterns to get him to take, 30 or 40 minutes will fly by, and that fish has had your complete attention. When you’re fishing, you’re not clock-watching. You get lost in time.” Nick Price, winner of 18 tour events, including three majors, said one of the appeals of fly-fishing for golfers was the way the fields of play changed and demanded different techniques. “Each golf course has its own kind of beauty, though a parkland layout is quite different from a links course,” he said. “Likewise, a steelhead river in British Columbia is quite different than a chalk stream in England, though both have appeals. And both require different approaches to find success.” Pro golfers, Price added, appreciate the solitude of fly-fishing. “You can be playing in a major championship on Sunday, surrounded by throngs of people on the course, signing autographs before and after,” Price said. “A day or two later, you can be alone on a bonefish flat in the Bahamas. The seclusion fly-fishing provides is a nice balance.” Ben Crane, a four-time winner on the tour, described fly-fishing as a “mental vacation” from the grind of the golf tour. “Playing on tour can be a little one-dimensional, as you’re constantly on the road, thinking about one thing: golf,” he said. But when he is fishing, Crane gets to think about something else. “When I’m out there, I think of only one thing for seven hours: What is the fish thinking?” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I’d also like to see interesting or funny photos of other animals. The bowhunting season for deer begins two weeks early this year in the Southern Zone — Oct. 1. Through the summer, local deer hunters have been checking their trail cameras. The photos are used to show the deer that are in the area, and in some cases give information about their travel and eating patterns. The cameras are strapped to trees and are set off by any motion in front of them. Some tech-savvy hunters have their cameras rigged so that whenever a picture is snapped they get an email to either their smart phone or computer. Have an eye-opening or interesting trail camera photo of deer that was taken recently? I’d also like to see interesting or funny photos of other animals. Send them to me at [email protected] as a .jpg attachment and include your full name, where you live, daytime phone number, where the photo was taken (town and county would be enough) — along with any particulars you’d like to share. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The bass were released each day after they were weighed at "many different locations" on the lake, a Bassmaster spokeswoman said. Last weekend’s Bassmaster Ramada Challenge on Oneida Lake saw tournament officials hand out $1.3 million in cash prizes. Local economic experts say the event contributed more than $2 million to the local economy. Where did these guys come from? Not a single fisherman was from New York state. The states most represented among the 97 anglers competing were Texas (15), Alabama (14), Oklahoma (10), Florida (six) and Arkansas (six). Cara Clark, a B.A.S.S. spokeswoman, told me a total of 1,082 fish were caught during the four-day, catch-and-release competition. She said only 10 fish were turned in dead to be weighed, which resulted in a 4-ounce deduction each time from the anglers’ total weight. Following each day’s weigh-in, the bass were taken straight from the stage to the tournament’s catch-and-release pontoon boats, which had large, water-filled livewells. “We have two boats with several wells on each,” Clark said, adding that the bass were released “in many different locations” on the lake. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

All previous tours have been sold out, so don’t delay registering. The following is a press release: Seneca White Deer, Inc. (SWD) and partner Finger Lakes Technologies Group, Inc. (FLTG) have announced that the buses are already nearly 70 percent full for the public military history tours of the famed “Q” area of the former Seneca Army Depot scheduled for the first three weekends in October. “Folks need to send in their registrations as soon as possible to be sure and secure a seat on one of the tours,” urged Dennis Money, SWD president. “We have had to turn people away in the past, so please be sure and register early for the day and time you prefer.” He reminds potential tour participants that these tours will visit only the area known as the “Q”, which is located at the northern end of the former Depot. The “Q” was the most secure area of the Depot and reputedly stored nuclear weapons. The “Q” also housed a large contingent of Military Police (MPs) and used a triple layer, high-voltage electrified fence to maintain its integrity. Money said that the tours will last more than one hour and provide plenty of opportunities to photograph formerly secret buildings, the military police compound and the ammo igloos. Tour-goers will also be able to enter one of the now abandoned storage igloos and see artifacts associated with the Depot. Actors portraying MPs will greet each bus and provide even more information regarding the rich history of the Depot. "While the main theme of these tours will be the military history of the Depot and the “Q”, visitors should expect to see deer, mostly brown, but maybe a few white deer, hawks, pheasants and possibly some coyotes,” said Money. Bus Tour Schedules, Pricing: The tours will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, October 6 & 7, 13 & 14 and 20 & 21. Buses will depart each hour from the Varick Volunteer Fire Department, located on NYS Rt. 96A from 8 AM to 4PM. The facility is easy to find, and signs will also be strategically located to help people find their way. Directions can be found on the back of the registration form. Registration information is available on the SWD web site or by calling Young’s Travel Service at 315-568-4112. Adult tickets are $15, seniors (61 and over) $12, and children ages 12 and younger are $8. Carry-on babies are free. All tours buses are comfortable with large windows and seats. The registration form provides for a first and second choice of tour days and times. Money cautions that there are no refunds unless the tour is cancelled due to weather, so everyone needs to attend at their chosen date and time and not to forget to bring their cameras! As mentioned earlier, All previous tours have been sold out, so don’t delay registering. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Migrating raptors, waterfowl, shore-birds and songbirds are on the move as the autumn migration season is in full swing. For the following is a press release: Migrating raptors, waterfowl, shore-birds and songbirds are on the move as the autumn migration season is in full swing. The Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah will lead a van tour of Montezuma’s birding hotspots on 8 to 11 a.m. Sept. 13 where dozens of species can be seen and heard. Participants are encouraged to bring their camera and binoculars. Expect to walk short distances.' Space is limited and registration is required. Call 315.365.3588 or email [email protected]. Fee: $7.50/child; $12.50/adult. For more information about the Birding Van Tour or about the Montezuma Audubon Center, check out the Audubon Center's Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Submissions for "Catch of the Week" in The Post-Standard should be sent to [email protected]. </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>LAKE ONTARIO <br />Lots of chinook salmon being caught out over 120 feet of water, fishing about 80 feet using flashers and A-Tom-Mik flies. </p> <p>SALMON RIVER <br />River is very low. A few scattered chinook salmon have been seen throughout the river.<br /> <br />OSWEGO RIVER <br />Water remains low and warm. Sheepshead and rock bass are active throughout the river, with crayfish and worms working.</p> <p>ONEIDA LAKE <br />Little has changed from last week and walleye fishing continues to be slow on the lake as young of the year shad are becoming large enough for the walleye to feed on. Anglers report marking large schools of baitfish. Blade baits and bucktail jigs tipped with nightcrawler are still producing some walleye in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are also keying in on the shad schools, so keep an eye out for birds (terns or seagulls). When bass chase the shad to the surface birds will swoop down to eat the shad. You can see this bird activity from a greater distance than you can see bass rolling on the surface as they chase shad. Good lures are lipless crankbaits, topwater or plastic stickbaits.<br /> <br />CAYUGA LAKE <br />Lake trout are hitting spoons, or flasher and flies, fished 80 to 90 feet down over 100 to 150 feet of water. Many methods are working to get lures down to depth such as copper, wire, lead core, Dipseys and downriggers. Running Dipseys 200 to 300 feet back, 10 colors of lead core, and copper at 400 feet back have been good starting lengths. Vertical jigging continues to work for lake trout in 95 feet of water.</p> <p>SENECA LAKE <br />Lake trout are hitting Spin Doctors and flies, and spoons, fished 50 to 80 feet down over 120 feet of water. Vertical jigging with chartreuse plastics has also been working for lake trout in 90 to 110 feet of water. </p> <p>OWASCO LAKE <br />Lake trout are being taken down 80 to 90 feet over 100 to 150 feet of water on spoons or flasher and flies. </p> <p>OTISCO LAKE <br />Trolling with worm harnesses has been working for walleye. Bass are hitting wacky rigged stick worms and plastic worms on drop shot rigs in 10 foot of water along weed edges. Flipping tube baits and creature baits into the weed mats is also working for largemouth bass.</p> <p>SKANEATELES LAKE <br />Rainbow trout are hitting small spoons fished 45 to 65 feet. Trout are feeding on small yellow perch, so good colors for the spoons have been perch colors. Glow baits are also working well. Bass fishing along the shore continues to be good from 25 to 30 feet of water with tube jigs and drop shot rigs.<br /> <br />SODUS BAY<br />Largemouth bass fishing has been good early and late in the day with spinnerbaits, topwaters and a variety of plastics working. Fishing in the thick weed growth with tube or creature baits is a method.</p> <p>SANDY POND <br />Nothing to report this week.<br /> <br />ST. LAWRENCE RIVER <br />Anglers using live crayfish are catching a lot of bass, fishing in 35 to 65 feet of water. Northerns are being caught near drop-offs and weedlines. Try using a live minnow. Walleyes are being caught at night, near the humps on the river’s bottom by anglers using a Jigfish tipped with a worm.</p> <p>WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR <br />Anglers are catching bluegills by trolling and than anchoring and fishing with small jigs when fish are found. Walleye are being caught early or late in the day for anglers trolling with worm harness and nightcrawlers along the old river channel. <br /></p> View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This meeting will focus on topics of interest to waterfowl hunters in Central New York and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex region. The following is a DEC press release: A waterfowl hunter information meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Montezuma Audubon Center, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. This meeting will focus on topics of interest to waterfowl hunters in Central New York and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex region. Topics to be covered include: - Highlights of waterfowl management and research programs at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Northern Montezuma and Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Areas; - Waterfowl population survey results and other flyway news and updates; - New York state’s waterfowl hunting season-setting process; and, -The 2012-13 duck and goose hunting seasons, and suggestions for future seasons. Wildlife biologists from Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and DEC will discuss items of interest to waterfowl hunters in an informational and interactive forum. International survey results will be presented for waterfowl breeding populations and habitat conditions, which guide the setting of hunting season lengths, dates and bag limits. The 2012-2013 duck and goose hunting season dates, and the method used by DEC to determine those dates, will be discussed. The Montezuma Audubon Center is located at 2295 State Route 89 in Savannah, Wayne County. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

His family had it for dinner that night. Submitted photoCollin and his bluefish. Collin Revercomb caught this nice, 28-inch bluefish from his family's boat deep sea fishing in his family's boat outside of Chatham, Mass. His father, Jake Rervercomb, wrote: "He caught it by himself using a sand eel. We served it that night blackened and it was great despite what you hear about bluefish." The photo below is how the fish was served at dinner that night. Submitted photoThe fish, just before dinner. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog