HuntingNY-News

The area's limited amount of available ice is rapidly becoming risky. Wednesday, anglers were temporarily stranded on the ice in one area on Oneida Lake after a section broke free. In another part of the lake, a four-wheeler went through the ice. CNY FISHING FORECAST All persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from Nov. 1 to May 1. Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER Steelhead bite has slowed a bit; pre-spawn conditions. Fish are scattered throughout the river. Nevertheless, good baits continue to be pink bubblegum worms, trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area will reopen April 1. OSWEGO RIVER River was way up at mid-week, unfishable. Anglers should wait for it to drop before trying. ONEIDA LAKE Many have been fishing the lake in recent days, with reports of big perch being caught around Frenchman’s and Dunham islands. However, ice conditions are deteriorating — fast. Wednesday, anglers were temporarily stranded on the ice in one area after a section broke free. In another area of the lake, a four-wheeler went through the ice. If you chose to go out anywhere on the lake, exercise common sense and don’t fish alone. CAYUGA LAKE No safe ice. Anglers fishing from shore at the power station in Lansing continue to have luck catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, and some perch using fathead minnows. SENECA LAKE Yellow perch fishing has been good in the Watkins Glen area, in 25 to 30 feet of water, with spikes and fathead minnows. Fishing from the pier continues to be good for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and some very large bluegills. Trolling from the surface down to about 45 feet, over 70 feet of water has been producing a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and lake trout. OWASCO LAKE No safe ice. A few anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch. OTISCO LAKE Reports mid-week of safe ice (5 to 6 inches) at the lake’s northern end. Anglers are catching sunfish, lots of bass (and releasing them) and a few tiger muskies. SKANEATELES LAKE No safe ice. Some anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch. Shore fishing with marshmallow-and-worm rigs is usually the ticket this time of year for rainbow trout. SODUS BAY No safe ice. Several anglers getting out in boats to fish the north end for perch. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Anglers continue to ice fish for northern pike, perch and bluebills, though the bite has slowed a bit. Hot spots continue to be Eel Bay, Lake of the Isles and Goose Bay, all with eight or more inches. However, there was an inch of water on top of the ice in most places at mid-week. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR At midweek, there was a solid five to six inches of ice on the reservoir, though that mostly likely will change for the worst by this weekend with the warm weather. Nevertheless, reports of large crappies and some nice-sized perch being taken by anglers using Swedish pimples tipped with mousies or spikes. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

<p> Have an interesting outdoors-related story idea for March? I'm all ears. Both of this week's stories came from readers. Send your suggestions to me at [email protected] or call me at 470-6066. </p> <p>Man, this winter is sure moving fast. It'll be March before you know it.</p> <p>I had planned on doing a story this winter on snowmobile poker runs, but the lack of snow ruined those plans.</p> <p>However, I've been running a notice in the Outdoors Calendar recently about the Toad Hollow Trailriders 10th Annual Poker Run, set for this Saturday. The entry notes: "In case of no snow, participants can get from place to place by whatever means necessary." The event flyer says, “Come by sled, truck, car or horse....” </p> <p>Anyway, here's what's on tap for this week on The Post-Standard's Outdoors pages:<br /><div id="asset-10588697" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right"><span class="adv-photo-large"><img height="251" width="380" src="http://media.syracuse.com/outdoors/photo/10588697-large.jpg" class="adv-photo" alt="2012-02-20-dn-coyote.JPG" /><span class="photo-data"><span class="byline">Dennis Nett</span><span class="caption"> Jeff Brown and his friend, Vince Fusco, went coyote hunting Monday morning in rural land just outside of Cazenovia. </span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span><span class="photo-bottom-right"><!-- IE6 HACK --></span></span></div></p> <p><strong>FRIDAY:</strong><br /><strong>Main piece:</strong><br />We go black and mallard duck banding with a small contingent of volunteers on the western shore of Cayuga Lake. The outing is being coordinated by the DEC and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge folks.</p> <p>Column: I update folks on the recent Lean2Rescue group outings in the Adirondacks and other developments.</p> <p><strong>SUNDAY<br />Main piece:</strong> So, you want to go coyote hunting? What's the story? (I went out Monday with a couple of guys who used a radio-controlled, predator calling device). What other techniques are being used out there by CNY coyote hunters?</p> <p><strong>Column:</strong> I give the highlights from the annual State of the Lake Ontario meeting Wednesday up in Mexico.</p> <p><strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT?</strong> <br />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 <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 470-6066.</p> <p>-<strong>Folks I'd like to get in contact with for future stories/columns:</strong><br />- Individuals who fish offshore at the power plant in Lansing on Cayuga Lake<br />- Those who hunt snow geese<br />- Someone who hunts crows.<br />- Anyone who's getting out in boats and fishing for perch, either on Oneida or any of the Finger Lakes.<br />- Individuals with outdoor passions who would make an interesting feature story.<br />- Someone who's saving big bucks by reloading their own ammunition.</p> <p><strong>A BIG THANKS:</strong><br /> Friday's story about the duck banding was suggested by a member of The Post-Standard's Outdoors group; the coyote article was pitched by reader who's on The Post-Standard's Facebook page (PS Outdoors). <em>See links below about how to join either one.</em></p> <p><a href="http://update.syracuse.com/adv_syracuse/newsletters/syracuse/subscribe.htm">If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.</a>.</p> <p><strong>FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:</strong><br />For those who are on Facebook, I also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PostStandardOutdoors#!/PostStandardOutdoors#!/photo.php?fbid=3369108872206&set=a.1178365985003.2028364.1403751639&type=1&theater&notif_t=like">PS Outdoors page</a>, 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. <br /> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><br /></p> <br /><br />View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He was with his dad and some friends. They were fishing Meacham Lake. Submitted photo Tim Garraffo, 12, of Baldwinsville holds up a 3-pound, northern pike he caught during a recent fishing trip in the Adirondacks. Tim, his father, and some new friends from the area, pulled other fish from Meacham Lake, but the boy's pike was the highlight of the day, the father said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

They are an impressive sight... Submitted photo Local wildlife photographer Bob Asanoma sent me these amazing photos of snowy owls and the following email. "This snowy owl was taken on Jan 26 on the rail at the FedEx Terminal at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. I would call it a female but some birders might call it an immature male. I'm not sure who's right. "The other one was taken on Feb 2 on a snow bank on the north side of the terminal across from the road accessed by the North Construction Gate. It is definitely a male because it is almost totally white." Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Some come right up on his deck and one pecks at his glass door. Submitted photo Nick Chervinsky, of Brewerton, sent these wild turkey pictures and the following email: "Hi Dave, a flock of 18 turkeys has been visiting our yard almost daily. Several of them have actually come up on our deck to eat the seeds that fall from the bird feeder. "I awoke the other morning to find this fellow pecking at our glass door. I guess he saw his reflection in the window. He now comes back every day to do this." Submitted photo Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The two caught their share of walley from the shore this fall, and through the ice this winter. Submitted photoFrancis Hardy with a nice winter walleye.I met Francis Hardy last weekend at the CNY Boat Show at the state fairgrounds and got into talking about fishing Oneida Lake. He sent me these two photos: one of himself, the other of his grandson, Keagan Borasky. In the top photo, Hardy holds a nice walleye he caught recently while ice fishing with his grandson on Sylvan Beach over 18 foot of water in the middle of the day. "We caught our limit between 2 & 2:30 pm," he said. "We were using another one of my favorite lures a gold and red Kastmaster 3/8 oz tipped with minnows jigging the bottom." The bottom photo is an impressive walleye young Keagan caught this fall. "We were fall fishing Oneida Lake at South Bay off shore at night," the grandfather said. "He was using my favorite lure which was a Junior Thunder Stick Storm perch color (original) you can't buy any more.That night we both caught our limit." A proud Keagan Borasky with his lunker caught in the fall. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He's planning on doing a buttermilk fried rabbit recipe from Hank Shaw's new book, "Hunt, Gather, Cook." Submitted photoNighbors Jeriah Kline, left, and Matt Wallace with some Fenner cottontails. Matt Wallace wrote me this weekend that he had "a great morning in the field chasing cottontails in Fenner." He wrote: "We had four hunters: myself, my dad Dave Wallace, my neighbor Jeriah Kline, and friend Marty Amidon who brought along our fifth hunter "Honey" the beagle who is a better hunter than all of us combined. "She worked her tail off on multiple bunnies and by the end of the morning we had bagged four rabbits. Everyone got one. "I'm planning on doing a buttermilk fried rabbit recipe from Hank Shaw's new book, " Hunt, Gather, Cook." By the way if you aren't familiar with his web site check it out, its got some excellent wild game recipes. Pictured are Jeriah Kline and Matt Wallace neighbors in Fenner View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"My son, Paul, was lucky enough to get the lunker of the weekend, the walleye was 11lb 4oz, 30 3/4" inches long with a 18 3/4" girth." Submitted photo Bill Jackson, quality manager at Mitten Manufacturing in Syracuse, sent me this impressive picture of his son, Paul, holding a lunker walleye. He wrote: "Last weekend was our annual ice fishing trip to Bay Of Quinte (on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario). "Me, my son Paul (pictured) and 7 local ice fishing buddies take this trip every year for the last 12-14 years. We book a 10-room cottage in the Hay Bay Nappanee area, from there we can normally travel all over the bay to catch walleye. "Well, due to the warm weather, traveling was a bit touchy so we all fished in the Hay Bay area. Paul was lucky enough to get the lunker of the weekend, the walleye was 11lb 4oz, 30 3/4" inches long with a 18 3/4" girth. He was using 6 pound test line with a 1/4oz red and chartreuse rocker with a minnow. It's his biggest by far so far. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We caught a ton of pickerel, but also three bass, two of which were over four pounds," he said. Submitted photoScott Manning, of Fairmount, sent me this nice photo of a largemouth bass he caught and released recently. He wrote: "My father and i went fishing on the 18th of February at the Erie Canal in Camillus. We caught a ton of pickerel, but also three bass, two of which were over four pounds. "We used jerkbaits wherever there was no ice." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Among the changes, allowing bass fishing year-round on Oneida Lake and increasing the minimum size for muskies in Otisco Lake from 30 to 36 inches. The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week it was seeking public input on a number of proposed changes to the state’s freshwater fishing regulations. If approved, the changes would take effect Oct. 1. “New York provides some of the best fishing in the nation and every two years DEC modifies existing freshwater sportfishing regulations and proposes new regulations to help ensure this remains the case,” said Kathleen Moser, assistant commissioner for natural resources for the DEC. The full text of the draft regulations as well as instructions for submitting comments can be found on the DEC’s website. DEC will accept public comments on the proposals through April 2. Among the proposed changes: šEliminating the special closed season for bass fishing on Oneida Lake (Dec. 1 to the Friday before the first Saturday in May, which is the walleye opener) and implementing statewide regulations (apart from the regular bass season, catch-and-release rules the remainder of the year) to create additional fishing opportunities and expand statewide consistency, “as continuance of this special closed season is not warranted.” šImplementing a 40-inch size limit for muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in the Chenango, Tioughnioga, Tioga and Susquehanna rivers and a 36-inch size limit at Otisco Lake to increase the trophy potential of these species in these waters. The current minimum size is 30 inches. šImplementing a 12-inch minimum size for brown trout in Otisco Lake. šChanging the minimum size limit for rainbow trout in Skaneateles Lake and Owasco Lake from nine inches to 15 inches. This would create consistency with the other Finger Lakes as most of these lakes have environmental conditions that support excellent growth of trout and would provide angling opportunities for large fish. šReducing the limit of rainbow trout from five to one in the Western Finger Lakes and three to one in the tributaries to provide further protection for this species. Western Finger Lakes include Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Canadice and Hemlock Lakes. šRemoving the restriction of no more than three lake trout as part of the five-trout limit in the Western Finger Lakes to foster harvest opportunities and reduce competition with other trout species and impacts on the forage base. šProhibiting fishing in several stream sections (including Little Sandy Creek in Oswego County) from March 16 until the first Saturday in May (opening day for walleye) to protect spawning walleye. Draft regulations that pertain to gear and angling methods include: šFor the Salmon River, allowing “a bead chain” to be attached to floating lures, which still must only have one hook. The distance between a floating lure and hook point may not exceed three-and-a-half inches when a bead chain configuration is used. This was determined to be an effective angling method and was not considered a snagging device. šAlso for the Salmon River, implementing a “no weight” restriction (i.e., only floating line and unweighted leaders and flies allowed) from May 1-15 for the Lower Fly Area and from May 1-Aug. 31 for the Upper Fly Area to provide further protection to vulnerable fish. Comments on the proposals can be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or mailed to Shaun Keeler, New York State DEC, Bureau of Fisheries, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753. Hard copies of the full text can be requested from Keeler at the same addresses. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The winter outdoors outing was sponsored by the Northside Community Center and the Syracuse Police Department. Submitted photo A'Darius (A.J) Parks, 11, of Syracuse (center) holds up a nice perch he caught during a recent ice-fishing outing on Black Lake. Also picture are Tekoda Daily (left) and his brother, Sam, both of Syracuse. The three were at the lake as part of a winter outing sponsored by the Northside Community Center and the Syracuse Police Department. A total of 10 youngsters made the trip. They caught perch, northern pike and bluegills. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Interior Department should ban all wolf hunts in the John D. Rockefeller Parkway because wolves that live in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks pass back and forth. View the full article

The Tug Hill/Black River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, in cooperation with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, is sponsoring the event. Jessica Burt/ Oswego County Tourism OfficeInstructor Lindsay Agness, left, will lead the fifth annual Women’s Fly Fishing Seminar sponsored by the Tug Hill Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the NYS DEC June 2 and 3 in Altmar. Agness is pictured with participants at last year’s seminar. The following is a press release: The Tug Hill/Black River Chapter of Trout Unlimited in cooperation with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will sponsor a two-day fly-fishing seminar for women June 2 and 3 on the Salmon River in Altmar. “This seminar is geared exclusively for women looking to improve their fly-fishing skills,” said instructor Lindsay Agness. “It will cover instruction from beginner to advanced stages of fly-fishing, fly-fishing tips and tactics, and hands-on instruction pertaining to Lake Ontario tributary-style fishing, which can also be applied to many other streams, creeks and rivers.” Agness said the seminar takes place in a relaxed atmosphere. Students will learn the basics of fly-tying, stream entomology, equipment set up, casting using traditional fly rods and reels, and more. “There will be highly skilled and experienced female and male instructors on hand to provide guidance so everyone has ample opportunities to learn,” said Agness. “The course will encompass indoor and outdoor classroom settings as well as actual fishing in the Salmon River for trout and other freshwater species.” Classes will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the NYS DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar, and at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 3. Breakfast and lunch are provided. The deadline to register is May 19. Registration is $25 per day or $40 for both days. Participants must be age 18 or older and must have a current New York State fishing license. Class size is limited to 20 students. The seminars will be held rain or shine. Participants should dress for the weather and bring bug repellant and sun block as needed. Waders or hip boots are recommended, as the water temperature might still be chilly in mid-June. Equipment will be available at the seminar, but those who have a good, working fly rod set-up should bring it. Pre-registrations can be e-mailed to: [email protected] with “2012 Women’s Fly Seminar c/o Lindsay Agness TU” in the subject line. Checks should be made payable to “The Tug Hill/Black River Chapter of TU” and mailed to Lindsay Agness – T.U. Seminars, 60 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls NY 14472. Those with questions may e-mail Lindsay Agness at the above address. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I spent a morning with week with David LeClair, an ace fly rod maker in Elbridge. LeClair specializes in making bamboo rods from scratch, but he also does repair work on all types of fly rods (bamboo, Fiberglass, graphite). Watch video I spent a morning with week with David LeClair, an ace fly rod maker in Elbridge. LeClair specializes in making bamboo rods from scratch, but he also does repair work on all types of fly rods (bamboo, Fiberglass, graphite). Seeing that I got two graphite blanks for a rod for Christmas from a close friend, I asked him to go over the specifics of what I (or any other beginner) need to know when it comes to making a rod. Check out this neat video by Staff Photographer Peter Chen. For more on this, See Sunday's Outdoors page in The Post-Standard. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

“Fifty boat dealers at one place, just try to go out and visit all these dealers apart from this show. Here, you can see them all in one day,” said Drew Wickham, the boat show’s manager. The show is sponsored by the Central New York Boating Industry Association. I'll be at the show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Stop by and say hello. The Central New York Boat Show kicked off Wednesday afternoon at the state fairgrounds in Geddes. This year’s show will be in three buildings and features 80 different exhibitors — more than 50 of them boat dealers from Central New York and across the state. “Fifty boat dealers at one place, just try to go out and visit all these dealers apart from this show. Here, you can see them all in one day,” said Drew Wickham, the boat show’s manager. The show is sponsored by the Central New York Boating Industry Association. The following are good reasons, he said, to check out this year’s event which continues until Sunday afternoon. Deals and more deals: Before the economic downturn hit, Wickham said, boat manufacturers took a hit and cut back on manufacturing. Nowadays, he said, the supply of boats is not what it used to be. “Look at the manufacturer’s view. It takes so many days to build a boat. If they know you’re going to buy one in February, it gives them more time to build, to plan how many they’re going to build. It’s advantageous to them,” he said. “As a result, the dealers get incentives from manufacturers to sell boats at shows like this.” Wickham noted there will be a number manufacturer representatives working in the dealer booths “and they usually can offer a wealth of information.” He said waiting until summer to buy a boat in a dealer’s lot has its drawbacks. “It’s a good idea to buy early,” he said. “Otherwise, the dealer will only have what’s left.” A chance to check out some “big” boats:“ This year’s show offers a good offering of large cruiser boats in the 30- to 40-foot range,” Wickham said. “These are boats you can sleep in, dine in, stay out in the water for a week in,” he said. “Some of these boats cost over $250,000.” One tip for checking them out. Wear good socks. The dealers generally make you take your shoes off when stepping aboard. A wide variety of craft: Wickham said the show will offer a wide variety of runabouts, personal water craft, kayaks and canoes — including one dealer who offers “build your own” Adirondack guide boats kits. A wide assortment of pontoon boats:“The baby boomer generation in particular is looking for boats that they can kick back and relax in,” he said. “We have some magnificent pontoon boats out there. They even have one up on turntable (in the Exhibit Center) that’s actually spinning.” The latest in sailboats and sailing equipment: Among this year’s offerings at the show is a Com-pac 23 Pilothouse sailboat, which Sail Magazine chose as the best in 2012 in regard to interior accommodations, Wickham said. “This is not a day boat,” he added. “It’ll be in the Center of Progress Building. Anyone into sailing should stop by and check it out.” An opportunity to bone up boating safety, equipment regulations and boating-related laws: Representatives from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Power Squadron, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the N.Y.S. Canal Corporation will offer advice and handouts concerning all aspects of boater safety and navigation law. In-water, life jacket demonstrations are scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Horticulture Building. The latest in docks, boating equipment and nautical supplies:“ There’s at least a dozen dealers with dock exhibits. You’ll be able to see absolutely everything in regard to docks and hoists,” Wickham said. “As for other nautical supplies, if you need it, it’s here. Even if you didn’t need it, it’s here, too.” If you go Central New York Boat Show When: 1 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: Admission is $10 and children 13 and under free. Coupons that take $2 off admission are available at Dunkin’ Donuts. Where: The show is being held in three separate buildings (Horticulture, Exhibit and Center of Progress). See you there: Outdoors Editor David Figura will be at the show to meet with readers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Exhibit Center (formerly the Toyota Building). View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

“What essentially is happening is that sportsmen in this state are paying for more of the DEC’s fish and wildlife program and receiving less support than they every have in the past,” Jason Kemper said. Is it time to consider a decrease in the state’s hunting, fishing and trapping license fees? Jason Kemper, chairman of the state’s Conservation Fund Advisory Board, said so in testimony earlier this month before a joint legislative session of the state Assembly and Senate in Albany on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2012-13 budget. This week, the Advisory Board unanimously approved a resolution to “seek legislative relief” to return all non-lifetime sporting licenses to the 2008 level, according to Lance Robson, of Sennett, who serves on the board. The board is composed of 11 voting members, one from each of the nine state Department of Environmental Conservation regions, one from the New York Conservation Council and one representative from the state Fish and Wildlife Management Board. In his testimony before state lawmakers, Kemper essentially said the license fees the state has collected from the sporting community following across-the-board increases in 2009 “is not being used in the manner it was intended to when the license fee increase was initiated.” He said Cuomo (and his predecessor, David Paterson ) have used the state’s Conservation Fund as a sort of piggy bank to pick up expenses from the state’s general fund. Meanwhile, staff, programs and services in the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, which the Conservation Fund is supposed to pay for, have been cut. As a result, he notes that “reduced fees seem to be completely in order.” His comments were a reaction to Cuomo’s recent proposal to transfer coverage of 65 environmental conservation officers to the Conservation Fund. Their salaries and benefits are currently being paid for out of the state’s general fund. Kemper pointed out the Conservation Fund Advisory Board was established to advise the DEC. It serves as a watchdog to make sure that money collected from sportsmen’s fees — an estimated $47 million per year, which leverages roughly an additional $20 million annually in federal aid — is spent in accordance with the law creating the fund. He noted the legislation creating the fund specifies the money be spent “for the care, management, protection and enhancement of the fish and game resources of the state and the promotion of hunting, fishing and trapping and that these funds be used in accordance with state finance law.” Kemper said that when the license fee increases were originally pitched back in 2009, sportsmen were told to either pony up or “see a diminished level of services over what they had received in the past.” At that time, he said, there were 412 staff members assigned to the state’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. Since the license fee increases, though, that division has seen a total of 63 staff positions cut and the fund is paying for more than 90 additional DEC staffers than in 2009. That doesn’t count the 65 conservation officers that Cuomo proposes to add. “What essentially is happening is that sportsmen in this state are paying for more of the DEC’s fish and wildlife program and receiving less support than they every have in the past,” Kemper said. Robson noted that the license fee increase in 2009 was instituted to cover an $8 million budget shortfall. However, the subsequent DEC personnel and service cuts resulted in an annual $9 million increase to the fund — money which continues to be siphoned out of the fund by the governor’s office for other uses in the DEC. “Sportsmen paid up front for the services they wanted. We’ve been talking about this on and off for a year, and we’re nowhere and we have a statutory obligation to recommend license fee decreases when appropriate,” Robson said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Clay bass angler Michael Cusano, who is president of N.Y. Bass Chapter Federation, will be inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame this spring. “Michael Cusano has dedicated a lifetime of giving back to outdoors sports,” said Stephen Wowelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. Cusano’s resume includes a wide variety of volunteer activities... Jim Commentucci/The Post-Standard Mike Cusano, (right) is interviewed by tournament direc´tor Chris Bowes during last summer’s Bass Pro Shops Bas´smaster Northern Open tournament on Oneida Lake. Clay bass angler Michael Cusano, who is president of N.Y. Bass Chapter Federation, will be inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame this spring. “Michael Cusano has dedicated a lifetime of giving back to outdoors sports,” said Stephen Wowelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. Cusano’s resume includes a wide variety of volunteer activities including working with junior anglers, organizing a water chestnut eradication program, participating in cormorant hazing, serving in various positions (including president) in the Salt City Bassmasters Club and organizing an annual event that takes soldiers from Fort Drum fishing on Oneida Lake. He is vice chairman on the DEC’s Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He has also been actively involved in bringing the Bassmasters professional bass fishing circuit to Oneida and Onondaga lakes. The Post-Standard honored Cusano one with one of its first “Hero of Conservation” awards in 2008, which was followed shortly after by a similar recognition in Field and Stream magazine. The Hall of Fame is located in Vail Mills/Broadalbin, within the Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum. Cusano will be inducted on April 28 during its annual banquet at the Rusty Rail restaurant in Canastota. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Don't be intimidated. It's not as difficult or expensive as one might think, according to veteran rod maker Dave LeClair, of Elbridge, 65, a guru on the local bamboo rod-making and repair scene. Peter Chen/The Post-StandardDave LeClair, of Elbridge, makes and restores bamboo fly fishing rods. He estimates it takes him about 50 hours to make one and he sells them for as much as $1,400. However, he says it's not beyond the skills of a beginner to make a good, relatively inexpensive rod from a graphite or Fiberglass blank. Central New York is full of die-hard, trout and salmon anglers who tie their own artificial flies. Ever consider making your own fly rod? Don’t be intimidated. It’s not as difficult or expensive as one might think, according to veteran rod maker Dave LeClair, of Elbridge, 65, a guru on the local bamboo rod-making and repair scene. “It’s all pretty simple. Go to some place online like Jannsnetcraft.com or a number of other sites. You can buy all the stuff you need,” he said. Buying a rod blank The first step is picking out the size of the rod. He recommended starting with either a graphite or Fiberglass blank. “What do you want? A 7-foot, 3-weight rod; a heavier 9-foot, 6 weight? It all depends on the type of fishing you want to use it for,” he said. Depending on how much you want to spend, LeClair said, a fly rod blank can cost anywhere from $35 up to $500. Thee high price, though, doesn’t necessarily translate into durability, he said. Peter Chen/The Post-Standardxxxxxx “My nephew is a guide on the Salmon River and I built him a very expensive, but stiff Sage rod. It lasted him about one winter. It just shattered one day from the cold,” he said. “I build him another rod from a graphite blank I paid about $35 for. He’s still fishing with it after 20 years. It’s his favorite rod.” Other supplies Once settled on the size and weight of the rod, there’s several other decisions that need to made, based on your preferences and the size of your wallet. “You have to order a set of guides for the specific rod you want to build,” LeClair said, explaining a set consists of the stripper guide (the eyelet closest to the reel), followed by snake guides and a tip top guide for the end of the rod. He said he uses high-quality, expensive guides (costing about $3 to $4 each) for his pricy bamboo rods, but quickly added the beginner can get by with cheaper, chrome-plated ones, costing about $1 each. Other items that need to be purchased include the reel seat, which holds the reel to the rod at the butt end. “I’ll tell you, the first thing that a person’s eyes are drawn to when they look at a rod is the reel seat,” he said. “It’s kind of like jewelry. On my more expensive rods, I use fancy wood and German silver. But if you want, you can get a plastic reel seat for $15 and that’ll do the job but it’s not that good-looking.” Then there’s the cork rod grip. Grips can cost anywhere from $15 to $30, he said. First things first LeClair recommends fitting and gluing on the reel seat first, followed by the cork grip. Often, reel seats are slightly bigger than the end of the rod butt. To help make the reel seat fit snug, he recommended wrapping masking tape around the blank. The cork grips you buy usually have to be custom-fitted to a rod. That’s done by “reaming and filing” the inside of the grip with a rounded, rat-tail file. After it’s fitted, it must be glued into place. What takes the time The hardest part for the beginning rod builder is lining up, and properly wrapping the guides onto the rod. LeClair said the spacing of the guides depends on the length of the rod. “There’s charts online that go into all that,” he said, adding that you measure from the tip of the rod on down. Once the guides’ locations are determined, he recommended wrapping a quarter-inch piece of masking tape around one foot of each of the metal guides to hold them to the rod. “Pick out the color thread you want. I use silk for the bamboo rods. For graphite of fiberglass, use nylon,” he said. There’s a technique to winding the thread with the proper tension around the guides to the rod, which isn’t difficult to learn. It’s just time-consuming to do it right, he said. The line should be wrapped tight and neat, with no bunches, spaces or noticeable overlap. Once the thread is wrapped around all the guides, LeClair recommends applying several coats of color preservative with a tiny brush so that the thread keeps its color when varnish or epoxy is applied afterward. “Otherwise, it’s going to turn dark, or even spotty,” he said. The finishing touch Once the guides are in place, the beginning rod maker is ready for the final step — putting on either varnish or epoxy to help hold the guides in place and to give the rod a smooth finish. LeClair said he prefers brushing on varnish on his bamboo rods, but recommends two-step epoxy for those making their own graphite or fiberglass rods. He said the latter provides a harder finish. “Guys who fish with graphite usually are going to fish a lot harder than those who fish with bamboo,” he said. He cautioned, though, that the apoxy is watery. He said the novice rod builder must either buy, or make a special jig with a small motor that will slowly turn the epoxy-coated rod as it dries to prevent drips. He said with varnish he usually puts on four to six coats, sanding out imperfections with 1,200-grit sandpaper and a dab of water. That isn’t needed with the epoxy. The finished surface of the rod, if done properly, comes out with a finish that looks glass-like The next step is to take the rod out to the local stream to give it a try. “If you use a rod you built yourself and flies you tied yourself, and then go out and trick a trout into taking that fly — now that’s really something,” he said. To reach LeClair: LeClair can be reached at [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Salmon River continues to be a go-to place for winter steelhead. CNY FISHING FORECAST All persons aboard a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long, regardless of age, must wear a personal flotation device from Nov. 1 to May 1. Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER Water conditions were down at mid-week. Lots of fish continue to be caught, mostly steelhead. Good baits continue to be pink bubblegum worms, trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area will reopen April 1. OSWEGO RIVER Brown trout continue to be caught behind the hotels in the downtown area on white bucktail jigs, along with some rainbows on little minnows and trout beads. ONEIDA LAKE Ice conditions have improved from last week, thanks to a series of nights with freezing temperatures. Anglers are catching perch in deeper water. The walleye bite has also picked up, with many being caught on tip-ups, using jigging spoons tipped with a large buckeye minnow. Be cautious and follow the beaten path if you go out. CAYUGA LAKE No safe ice to report at midweek. However, anglers fishing from shore at the power station in Lansing continue to have luck catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, and some perch using fathead minnows. SENECA LAKE Anglers trolling deep — about 150 feet down over 300- to 350- feet — have been catching a mixed bag of Atlantic salmon and lake trout using streamer flies and small spoons. Perch and crappie are also being caught off the pier at Watkins Glen using fathead minnows, spikes and waxworms. There were reports of some anglers fishing off shore at Sampson State Park catching nice northern pike, fishing shiners about 5 feet under a slip bobber. OWASCO LAKE No safe ice to report. A few anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch. OTISCO LAKE Reports mid-week of safe ice (4 to 6 inches) at the lake’s northern end. Lots of perch being caught. SKANEATELES LAKE No ice fishing activity to report. Some anglers are getting out in boats, fishing for perch. Shore fishing with marshmallow-and-worm rigs is usually the ticket this time of year for rainbow trout. SODUS BAY No fishable ice at midweek. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Anglers continue to ice fish for northern pike and perch, and some reports of crappie being caught. Hot spots are Eel Bay, Chippewa Bay, Lake of the Isles and Goose Bay, all with eight or more inches. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR At midweek, there was a solid six inches of ice on the reservoir. Reports of numerous small crappies and some nice-sized perch being taken by anglers, using fathead minnow. Some anglers continue to get some nice walleye in the spillway, using jigs and fathead minnows. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It took more than four hours to lift the fish, which fishermen said was found dead in shallow water. Reports on the length of the fish varied from 35 to 40 feet. From the Los Angeles Times: (Editor's note: This happened a couple of weeks ago but it's still pretty impressive.) A massive whale shark is now on view in a Pakistani seaport after fishermen hauled the 15,000-pound fish from the water. The fishermen's haul was greeted with enthusiastic applause at a harbor in the city of Karachi by a crowd numbering in the hundreds, according to NDTV, which cited the Press Trust of India. It took more than four hours to lift the fish, which fishermen said was found dead in shallow water. Reports on the length of the fish varied from 35 to 40 feet. See the eye-opening pics and read the full story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This is legit. See the pictures. Interesting. This in from accuweather.com: A Pennsylvania couple trapped, of all things, a purple squirrel on Sunday. Percy and Connie Emert, of Jersey Shore, Pa. caught the unusual animal when trying to keep birds safe from the rodents, the Web site reported. "We have bird feeders out in our yard, and the squirrels are constantly into them," said Jersey Shore resident Connie Emert. "My husband traps them and then sets them free elsewhere so they don't get into your bird feeders." See pictures and read the full story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'll be at the CNY Boat Show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. See you there. Meanwhile, is there anything else I should be writing about? Call me at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected]. Michelle Gabel/The Post-StandardBrian Janas, of Seneca Falls, washes boats at the New York State Fairgrounds in preparation of the Central New York Boat Show, Wednesday through Sunday, February 15 through 19. I still can't believe the relatively snowless winter we're having. Ice fishing equipment and cross country skis are still in storage. What the heck! Meanwhile, here's on tap for this week's outdoors page in The Post-Standard: FRIDAY: Main piece: Highlights of the CNY Boat Show at the state Fairgrounds, which kicks off Wednesday and lasts until Sunday. Column: Is it time for a reduction in your hunting and fishing license fees? The president of the state's Conservation Fund Advisory Board says so in a recent statement made to state lawmakers. He said sportsmen are getting less while paying more. Plus, an amusing bit about the "Squirrel Lady of Tip HIll." SUNDAY: Main piece: So, you're suffering from cabin fever and like the idea of making your own fly rod? We consult with a veteran fly rod maker about the basics and costs involved. Column: What's up with Lean2Rescue this winter? Plus, local angler scheduled to be inducted into the NYS Outdoors Sportsmen's Hall of Fame this spring, and it's time to register for the Women in Nature program, also this spring. Coming up: - Coyote hunting - Black duck banding - The secrets concerning successfully fishing "behind the hotels" on the Oswego River 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. -Folks I'd like to get in contact with for future stories/columns: - Individuals who fish offshore at the power plant in Lansing on Cayuga Lake - Those who hunt snow geese - Anyone who's getting out in boats and fishing for perch, either on Oneida or any of the Finger Lakes. - Individuals with outdoor passions who would make an interesting feature story. 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

These bad boys can eat the paint and plaster right off your house - in addition to attacking as many as 500 different kinds of plants. I'm not making this stuff up. It appears that South Florida is now being invaded by giant African snails that can eat the paint and plaster right off your house. Investigators aren't sure how these bad boys got into the area. According to the International Business Times: "Florida's Department of Agriculture is working to rid the area of the giant African snails as soon as possible because they eat at least 500 different types of plants. Read the full story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Campground Owners of New York camping directory also includes website addresses and driving directions for all the campgrounds and RV parks listed, and advertisements for vacation destinations and RV service providers. The following is a press release from Campground Owners of New York. Campground Owners of New York (CONY) announces the release of its 2012 Campground & RV Park Guide. The guide is free and available by visiting the group's Web site and filling out the online request form, or calling CONY toll-free at (800) 497-2669. The theme of the directory is, “Get Outdoors. Go Camping New York,” with the 100-page directory highlighting the features and amenities for over 200 privately-owned and operated campgrounds and RV parks across New York State. The guide is a handy reference tool for researching and booking just the right campsite for your next vacation. It is available in print format, and is also accessible in digital format. Camping can contribute to healthy, active outdoor fun for you and your family. According to Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the top five reasons that camping is good for you include getting more sunshine (and more healthy vitamin D); increasing opportunities for walking or hiking; improving serotonin levels naturally (which decreases stress) with outdoor exposure; enjoying deeper and more restful sleep from increased activity; and exposing your children to more outdoor play and exercise (helping to fight childhood obesity). “Whether you are tenting, staying in a cabin, or traveling in an RV, the healthful benefits of getting outdoors is a great reason to go camping,” says Donald Bennett, Jr., President and CEO of CONY. “We’re living in a much more sedentary and disconnected times, and camping is one of our last ways to stay truly and deeply in touch with our health, our family, our friends, and the world around us.” Vanessa and Joe Leto, owner of Brook N Wood Family Campground in Elizaville, New York, advocate getting outdoors and camping. According to Vanessa Leto,“There is a lot of fresh air, and a big drink of fresh water cleans out your lungs and every cell in your body. While you’re camping go bicycling, throw a Frisbee, bounce a ball, swim, play hopscotch, chat by the campfire with friends – these are all done outside!” Mike and Sandy Papp of West Canada Creek Campsites in Poland, New develop their themed weekends to create games that will promote action and thought. Says Mike Papp, “Camping is an activity that provides many different action oriented activities that, by their nature, promote health. Today’s kids are indoors on video games and computers all day long and camping provides them with an opportunity to get outdoors and actually do something physical that is fun and inclusive!” The CONY camping directory also includes website addresses and driving directions for all the campgrounds and RV parks listed, and advertisements for vacation destinations and RV service providers. For vacationers that prefer not to tent or don’t own an RV, other options exist including onsite cabin and trailer rentals at many campgrounds and RV parks listed in the CONY guide. Or, look into RV rentals from local or national RV rental companies. The camping season in New York kicks off in late April, and reservations are now being taken at many parks across the state. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I don't know how long they had been there before we noticed them, but they stayed around for almost 5 minutes as we observed them, taking photos and videos," she said. Submitted photo Nicole Chorney, of Liverpool, sent in these photos taken at her backyard bird feeder. She wrote: "My family has had bird feeders in our yard since I was a small child, and in the 20 years we have lived in Liverpool we have seen almost any type of bird native to this area. We have seen the more common birds like chickadees and cardinals and more surprising sightings of hawks and falcons. We have even had a pair of mallard ducks walk through our back yard. "Attached are a few interesting photos we took at our bird feeder on Jan. 2 and was the most surprising of all we have seen. Three wild turkeys eating the seed that smaller birds had dropped to the ground from the feeders above. "I don't know how long they had been there before we noticed them, but they stayed around for almost 5 minutes as we observed them, taking photos and videos." Submitted photo Submitted photo Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog