HuntingNY-News

"Since I've lived in Virginia, I've had to change my views on hunting," he said. Scott Davis, 31, formerly of Canastota and currently in the U.S. Navy, responded to my Sunday column on crossbows. He wrote: "I was born and raised in upstate. I am active duty militiary stationed in Virginia. I was reading the article about the crossbows in Sunday's paper and I am amazed that people have such a problem with crossbows. Since I've lived in Virginia, I've had to change my views on hunting. "Hunting deer with dogs is allowed, no hunting on Sunday (it's considered a 'day of rest') and crossbows are considered archery equipment, not firearms. There is no early archery season. It just runs during shotgun season and starts on the same day. "Crossbows are a great way to get older people out early in the season and have a better chance on getting a deer before they are all nocturnal. The accuracy of people using a crossbow is a lot better then using a bow. Less deer being injured by conventional bow hunters. "By the way, I use a convention bow." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Kevin Dudash, of Bayberry, sent me these interesting photos of a visiting fox. He wrote: "Although I’m not a hunter or fisherman, I do enjoy your Outdoors column. This fox decided to do some posing in our backyard last weekend. "We’ve seen a couple of fox holes, but hadn’t spotted him until last Saturday – but when we did, he... Submitted photoKevin Dudash, of Bayberry, sent me these interesting photos of a visiting fox. He wrote: "Although I’m not a hunter or fisherman, I do enjoy your Outdoors column. This fox decided to do some posing in our backyard last weekend. "We’ve seen a couple of fox holes, but hadn’t spotted him until last Saturday – but when we did, he seemed happy to have his picture taken." Submitted photo Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The legislation allowing the use of crossbows across the state has a sunset clause of Dec. 31 of this year. Meanwhile, Cortland County is trying to correct a miscommunication that ended up with a ban on crossbows there during the regular firearms season. Crossbows arrived on the state’s deer hunting scene this fall, thanks to a state law finally allowing their use. Although the final numbers are still being tallied, they apparently didn’t make much of an impact. “Our preliminary numbers indicate that less than one quarter of one percent of the reported deer take so far was by crossbow,” said DEC spokesman Rick Georgeson. “We should have our final deer numbers, including numbers broken out by county, compiled by mid-February.” I put the word early on in this column and on my outdoors page on syracuse.com that I wanted to hear from any successful crossbow hunters in Central New York. No one contacted me. The push for crossbows began with an effort to include their use in the regular bow hunting season — if nothing else, to provide a hunting implement for seniors and disabled hunters who could no longer pull back a regular bow. The original crossbow bill, authored by Sen. David Valesky, included those ideas. However, by the time it reached the state Assembly and made its way back to the state Senate before finally being signed by the governor, the bill was revised five times — thanks to lobbying by the New York Bow Hunters and other anti-crossbow interests. The end result was that crossbows were banned during the regular bowhunting season. They were only allowed during the regular firearms and late muzzleloading seasons. They were classified as “firearms” and couldn’t be used in “bowhunting-only” areas of the state. Hunters could use them for deer and bear, but weren’t allowed to fire them at small game, or even non-regulated wildlife such as feral hogs. There were no special provisions for seniors or handicapped hunters. Finally, the law allowing their use had a sunset clause of Dec. 31 of this year. Now what? Part of the problem seems to be articulating everyone’s wants and desires in a special law passed by state lawmakers. What about passing a law making crossbows a legal hunting instrument and leaving it up to the state Department of Environmental Conservation to come up with rules and regulations? The Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs sent a resolution stating just that recently to the state Conservation Council to present to its membership for consideration. Bottom line: Something has to be done, if nothing more than making the existing law permanent. Otherwise, all those folks who spent hundreds of dollars for crossbows to use this past hunting season and next fall just may find themselves out of luck. Getting things straight While other hunters across the state could use crossbows during the regular firearms season this past fall, there was one exception — Cortland County. That could change this fall. Cortland County lawmakers, in their efforts to get legislation through allowing the use of rifles in their county for hunting deer, were mistakenly under the impression that if crossbows were allowed the rifle bill wouldn’t pass. They felt the crossbow issue was too controversial and instructed their local state lawmakers — Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and state Sen. Gary Finch— to write up a special legislation banning their use during the regular firearm season, and only to allow their use during the following late muzzleloading season in Cortland County. The county officials who requested this legislation were unaware that crossbows were being allowed statewide this fall for the first time. Thursday night, the Cortland County Legislature took steps to change things. The Legislature unanimously passed a resolution stating that “Whereas, a communication gap happened and Cortland County is the only county in New York State that allows center fire rifle hunting during the regular season for big game that does not allow (crossbows) during the same season” that the law be changed to allow crossbow hunting during the regular firearms season this fall in the county. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The company specializes in "micro-fishing baits," imitations of small bugs, worms and aquatic larvae used mainly by ice fishermen. "This has always been a grassroots operation, with Christian fellowship added in," said owner Scott Brauer. "We actually give away more than we sell." </p> Mike Greenlar/The Post-StandardThe Maki, one of the top selling Makiplastic lures. It's supposed to resemble a water spider. It’s a small, family-owned company that makes artificial ice-fishing bait for a higher spiritual purpose — and it was formed following a 1997 Oneida Lake fishing trip. It all began when Scott Brauer met Tony Busco, of Liverpool, on a fishing-related chatroom on the Internet. While online, Busco asked Brauer, who lives in Gasport, northeast of Buffalo, to come visit and check out Central New York’s fishing hotspot. After the two fished Oneida Lake together, they were relaxing on the porch of a friend of Busco’s, overlooking the lake. Brauer mentioned that he worked as a shop teacher and that in a previous job he used to make molds for plastic products. “So Tony drags out this bag of plastic fishing baits and says, ‘Dude, we’ve got to be able to do better than this,’” Brauer said. Mike Greenlar/The Post-StandardTony Busco And that’s how Makiplastic got its start. The company specializes in “micro-fishing baits” — imitations of small bugs, worms and aquatic larvae used mainly by ice fishermen. Everything is made by Brauer, his wife, Pam, and their two children. The rubbery baits come in a variety of colors and shapes. Among the most popular: - The Maki, an imitation of a five-legged water spider, - The Spiki, which looks like the back of a dinosaur, - The Milli, a millipede imitation, - The Wormi, a cross between a worm and a leech, - The TOI (Tony On Ice), a paddle-tail bug that Busco initially sketched out on a cocktail napkin. Early on, though, Busco had to deal with his father’s health problems and bowed out of the company. Brauer, who teaches automated manufacturing and engineering at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, took the idea and ran with it. He and his family now make about 100,000 pieces annually. Their product is sold primarily over the Internet and at a smattering of small “mom and pop” stores and bait shops from Vermont to the Dakotas, he said. “I have a lot of contract customers, such as professional fishermen on the ice fishing circuit,” he said. Locally, Makiplastic products, which all sell for $2.79 a package, are carried by All Season Sports in Pulaski. Packages contain four to 12 items, depending on their size. The company name comes from Brauer’s nickname, which he got as a teen while trying to spray-paint the words “making waves” on a boat. He ran out of space and only the letters “Maki” made it on the vessel. Busco, who two years ago rejoined the company as a publicist/marketer and its main pro staffer, said Makiplastic is a small outfit and that Brauer likes it that way. Mike Greenlar/The Post-StandardAN ARRAYof fishing lures produced by Makiplastic, a small company that operates out of Gasport. “You have to be a chemist to get things straight like pouring the right amount of rubber into the mold ... softeners, hardeners, glitter and flakes ... heating things up, cooling it just right. And afterward putting on things such as anise oil,” Busco said. “He’s like Dr. Frankenstein — got it all figured out in his head.” Brauer, a youth minister at the Covenant United Church of Christ in Gasport, decided early on that he would use the product and its profits to educate others about the joys of the outdoors and to “support other people.” He said he speaks often about fishing before Christian youth groups, the Boys Scouts and at summer camps. He also donates baskets of Makiplastic items for use in fundraisers benefiting such things as cancer research, or helping out families dealing with illness or the lost of loved ones. “This has always been a grassroots operation, with Christian fellowship added in. We actually give away more than we sell,” he said. Busco, who represents the company at outdoors shows and other events, said one can’t deny the fact that ice fishing with plastics is here to stay. The Makiplastic website has underwater videos of fish gobbling up the company’s various baits, he said. “I’m just trying to prove that I’m smarter than a sunfish,” Brauer said. More on Makiplastic Go to the company's Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The event runs through Sunday. I'll be at the event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Stop by and say hello. Don't worry, I won't bite. The size and enthusiasm of Central New York’s hunting and fishing crowd is hard to ignore. There are more hunting and fishing licenses sold here than in any other region of the state — a major reason behind Bass Pro Shops’ decision to build its store here. So when the Great Northeastern Sports Show, a fixture at the state fairgrounds for more than a half century, announced last fall it was canceling its show set for this month, outdoors enthusiasts across the area were crestfallen. One company, the Results Group, which is based in Syracuse, announced it would pick up the ball and hold an outdoors show next year at this time at the new SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College. But what about this year? Enter a group of Rochester business owners. With only seven weeks to work on a show, Patti Cartwright of Coral Productions and John Lennox and Norm Wightman of Wight-Ox, LLC, scrambled to deliver an event. The result is this weekend’s New York Sportsman’s Expo, which kicks off today in the Horticulture Building at the state fairgrounds. “We got a tremendous amount of feedback from people, folks who didn’t want to see this show die, who didn’t want to miss a year,” she said. The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors, Cartwright said. She mentioned that a handful of celebrities will appear, including: - Haley Heats and her husband, G.O., who star in the family outdoors show “Family Traditions with Haley Heats,” on the Sportsman’s Channel. - Team Realtree pro staffer Tim Andrus, who regularly appears on the outdoor shows on the Outdoors, ESPN, Versus and Pursuit channels. - David Genz, known as “Mr. Ice Fishing.” - Laura Francese, a Buffalo Jill and Martin Archery Girl. “We’ll have an archery range and a 30-foot rock climbing wall sponsored by the U.S. Army,” she said. Also on the event schedule is a turkey-calling competition on Saturday (registration starts at 10 a.m., with competition at noon), along with a duck and goose calling contest on Sunday (registration starts at 11 a.m., with competition at 1 p.m.). Both will have entry fees and cash prizes determined by the number of registrants, Cartwright said. Other highlights include the Northeast Big Buck Club exhibit; retriever dog demonstrations given by Worthington Kennels; a raffle for a Canadian bear-hunting trip worth more than $1,700; a trout fishing pond for the kids; talks/demonstrations by Wildlife Defenders, a group that features a variety of exotic animals; and an area staffed by Thorne Bros, a popular fishing/ice fishing retailer out of Minnesota. Cost is $9 for adults (13 and up); $4 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and under; $7 for seniors (65 and up); and $6 for police, firemen and military (with ID). For further information, call 585-254-2580 or see the event's Web site. There’s a $1-off coupon available on the website. See you there I’ll be at the New York Sportsman’s Expo from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Stop by and say hello. Don’t worry, I won’t bite. I’m always eager to hear from readers with story ideas related to the outdoors. Also, I welcome feedback on what I’ve done, what I should have done and what I need to get done on this outdoors page. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

" What we do with a new shooter is pair them up with an experienced shooter who will help guide them through the process," said Kurt Brown, the club's president. It comes down to improving a person’s “shooting proficiency” and the camaraderie. That’s the main focus of the Syracuse Pistol Club’s winter shooting leagues, which meets Wedneday morning and evenings at the club’s indoor range on Henry Clay Boulevard in Clay. It’s not for everyone in the club, though, which boasts more than 375 members. “We have a lot of members who stop by and shoot informally,” said Kurt Brown, the club’s president. “A lot of people are intimidated by the fact that we call it a league, that it’s regimented and that there’s a scoring system. People worry about performance anxiety, that they won’t stack up.” Brown emphasizes, though, that whether it’s shooting, skiing or golf, “everyone has to start somewhere” and that competitive handgun shooting is a lot of fun. “What we do with a new shooter is pair them up with an experienced shooter who will help guide them through the process,” he said. The 18-week indoor leagues, which boasts some 80 shooters, has participants ranging in age from 18 to nearly 90, Brown said. The club offers 12 shooting lanes, with shooters aiming at paper targets 50 feet away. The leagues are run according to an National Rifle Association-approved format, with each shooter taking 30 shots each match. The competitors are on teams with names like Golddiggers, Blue Knights, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Blasters, X-men and Aces and Eights. The matches are broken down to three “phases” of shooting. The first is a warm-up phase, where competitors have 10 minutes to fire 10 shots. That’s followed by the second phase, where fire two rounds of five shots – both times taking no more than 20 seconds. The final phase involves two rounds of quickly squeezing off five shots, both within 10 seconds. A bull’s-eye is 10 points, with the concentric circles around it have decreasing lesser values. A perfect score is 300. The league allows use of a wide variety of firearms, ranging from .22 to .45 calibers. Magnums are not allowed. Brown emphasized that shooting safety is ingrained in all the club’s members, and that the club puts newcovers through its own three-hour safety course to cover all the bases. Peter Poirier, of Liverpool, said he likes the winter pistol league because he can shoot all winter, “out the winter chill.” Brown said the league is composed mostly of men. “We don’t have as many women as we’d like and we’d like to see more.” Liz Carpenter, also of Liverpool, has been shooting in the league for three years. “The guys took me under their wings and I learned so much,” she said. “I’d love to see more women involved. If we had a nice little women’s league we could give the guys a run for their money.” More about the Syracuse Pistol Club: The club’s indoor and outdoor pistol and rifle shooting leagues are open to members and non-members. Annual dues are $85 a year and an NRA membership is required. Members 65 and older are charged $40 for annual dues, as are family members of a current club member. For more, see the club's Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Though with the warm, rainy weather coming up the next couple of days, things may get unsafe in places. Be careful out there. 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. SALMON RIVER Water was a little high at midweek and will probably remain that way through the weekend. The browns and steelhead have transitioned into their winter holes (deeper water). Good baits continue to be trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. On cold days, the slush has been a factor in the lower river. The Upper Fly Fishing Area closed Nov. 30 and will reopen April 1. OSWEGO RIVER Not a lot fishing action lately. On the days when the fish are hitting, anglers are catching mostly browns and rainbows using bucktail jigs and minnows, with some casting Little Cleo lures . ONEIDA LAKE Ice fishermen are getting walleye and perch off the north shore. At midweek, ice was pretty safe at the west end. East end looked a little thin. Hopefully, it’ll firm up by the weekend. Regardless, take precautions and wear safety equipment. CAYUGA LAKE No safe ice to report at midweek. However, anglers fishing from shore near the power station in Lansing are catching rainbow trout on medium-sized shiners, along with 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. Anglers fishing farther north, around Severne, in 10 feet of water, are getting more perch, but they are running smaller. Fishing from the pier has been good for perch and some large bluegills. Trolling from the surface down to about 45 feet, over 70 feet of water, has been producing a mix of Atlantic salmon, brown trout and lake trout. Streamer flies and small spoons have been working well. OWASCO LAKE No safe ice to report at midweek. OTISCO LAKE Some anglers were out earlier this week at the northern end, mostly catching perch. There were reports of a few big muskies caught through the ice. SKANEATELES LAKE No ice fishing activity to report at midweek. Shore fishing with marshmallow-and-worm rigs is usually the ticket this time of year for rainbow trout. SODUS BAY Anglers were just starting to head out on ice at midweek. There were reports of about 3 ½ inches of ice. SANDY POND No activity to report. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Anglers have been ice fishing here for northern pike and perch. Hot spots include Eel Bay, Chippewa Bay, Lake of the Isles and Goose Bay, all with five or more inches. The Alexandria Bay Fishing Derby is set for Saturday on the river. For further information, see www.tibait.com. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR There were reports of about six inches of ice on the reservoir at midweek. Lot of nice-sized perch, small crappies and rock bass were being caught, along with smallmouth bass, which must be released. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"Nobody traps around here any more. I'm seeing more and more coyotes, even in the daytime," he said. I got a call this week from Charlie Dumas, of Scriba, who asked me if I’d seen any cottontail rabbits lately. “I got out after the first snowfall to check my property (70 acres), which has an area where they usually are,” he said. “There’s briar patches, apple trees. I saw absolutely nothing. Didn’t see a single track.” Dumas figures the foxes, fishers and coyotes have teamed up to wiped them out on his property — particularly the coyotes. “Nobody traps around here any more. I’m seeing more and more coyotes, even in the daytime,” he said. What's everyone else seeing out there? Is CNY's rabbit population taking a hit? View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We got out off of Constantia yesterday. About 1-1/4 mile out in 18 feet of water. There was 5-6 inches of hard clear ice," he said. Submitted photo Bob Twichell, of Fayetteville, sent me this pictures today of some nice burbot he caught on Oneida Lake, fishing through the ice. He wrote: "Got out off of Constantia yesterday. About 1-1/4 mile out in 18 feet of water. There was 5-6 inches of hard clear ice "We got a few walleye and also 6 of these nice size, burbot (or ling, or lawyers, as some call them). These in the picture are about 26 inches or so. I filleted the tail sections to eat for a little change of pace." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was caught using a dead minnow as bait. Submitted photoWyatt with his Atlantic salmon. Andrew Picco, of Baldwinsville, sent me this photo of his neighbor Wyatt Baumler, who caught this Atlantic Salmon. Picco wrote: " He and my son Drew Picco were fishing yesterday in Baldwinsville on the Seneca River with a dead minnow and this is what (Wyatt) caught. "It looks like an Atlantic salmon, but I have to imagine it’s a brown trout." Editor's note: I shared the photo with a DEC official in Cortland and he confirmed my thoughts -- it's an Atlantic (and a nice one at that). View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have a winter-time, outdoors story idea? Contact Outdoors Editor David Figura at [email protected] or call 470-6066. This week he's writing about an indoor pistol shooting league and Makiplastics, a company that makes small, plastic baits for ice fishing. What a heck of a winter. It was nearly 50 degrees out this morning when I walked down to the road to pick up my paper. Is the local ice fishing season underway -- or what? Haven't heard much from readers on conditions and catches. What's the story? Meanwhile, the lack of snow has prompted a search for winter-time story ideas unrelated to snow and ice (at least until it comes). Any suggestions? Any help readers could give me would be greatly appreciated. Email me at [email protected]. Submitted photoI call this photo "eye candy" for ice fishermen. Matt Kadlubowski shows 17 perch and a walleye he caught through the ice on the north shore of Oneida Lake last weekend. The biggest perch was 14 inches. Can anyone else top this catch? Meanwhile, here's what's on tap for this week: FRIDAY: Main piece: We visit the Syracuse Pistol Club and check out its Wednesday morning indoor handgun shooting league. Column: Precede to this week's sportsmen's outdoor show at the State Fairgrounds, which begins Friday and ends Sunday. SUNDAY: Main piece: A look at the Makiplastics company, which makes "micro-plastic" baits for ice fishing. It began with a couple of local guys on a front porch in Lakeport looking at the available lures for ice fishing and saying, "Dude, we can do better than that..." Interesting story. Column: Still considering. Several topics include the effects of the unseasonably warm weather on wildlife, fish, insects, etc, what's going on with the Conservation Fund budget and other issues.........or possibly an update on the whole crossbow issue. Stay tuned. ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Sunday's piece on Pauline Eggers came from a reader who reads this weekly report! 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. Members of this group can respond to me directly by hitting reply after reading the email. FIGURA ON FACEBOOK: For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page there, 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

It was the first picture this camera took. Submitted photo Ross Getman sent me this photo. He wrote: "I put out my wife's bird cam 2.0 on Dec. 25 to catch Santa and his reindeer but got this young opossum instead -- the only marsupial north of Mexico. It was the very first photo the camera took. "I hadn't yet figured out how to point it up using the mounting arm -- and so I just pointed it to the ground, expecting to get some birds eating seed. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The male is the bright red one. Submitted photo Jaime Hummer sent in these photos of a male and female cardinal, which he said were taken by his parents, Robert and Heidi Hummer. "(These were) taken by my parents in Brewerton at their home last week," he said. The male is the bright red one. Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

As a Salt City member you will be paired with different members throughout the tournament season. By fishing with different people you will see first hand their approach to bass fishing, and they will see yours. The following is a press release from Salt City Bassmasters. Salt City Bassmasters currently has openings for new members for the 2012 season. The club fishes under a pro/am format. Boaters (“pros“) will enter the tournaments and compete against other boaters. Non-boaters (“amateurs” or “co-anglers“) will be paired with a boater but will compete in their own division against other non-boaters. Both new boaters and non-boaters are welcome to join, as members are not required to own a boat. Salt City Bassmasters is an organization dedicated to helping its members become better bass anglers through discussion, seminars, and interactive learning. Salt City strives to provide a competitive bass fishing tournament trail that encourages sportsmanship, fun, and learning. In addition, Salt City Bassmasters wishes to improve the knowledge of all anglers, promote ethical behavior and sportsmanship, and increase environmental awareness. As a Salt City member you will be paired with different members throughout the tournament season. By fishing with different people you will see first hand their approach to bass fishing, and they will see yours. The 2012 Tournament Trail is as follows: Paper Tournaments: April 29- Oswego River May 12- Redfield Reservoir June 10- Otisco Lake Points Tournaments: June 24- Sandy Pond July 28- Oneida Lake July 29- Cross Lake August 12- Cayuga Lake September 9- Chaumont Bay September 22 & 23- 1000 Islands Annual Walleye Tournament: May 20- Oneida Lake For more information and club contacts please visit the Salt City Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It is beautiful up here this time of year. There are plenty of ice fisherman out, too." Submitted photo Kristen Kratzert, of Syracuse, sent these two photos of wildlife she shot recently while cross country skiing on Wellesley Island on the St. Lawrence River. She has a cottage in Westminster Park on the island. She wrote: "There is a mute swan at Bathhouse shoal and a young porcupine in the state park!! "It is beautiful up here this time of year. There are plenty of ice fisherman out, too." Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The plan, once final, will guide the management of bobcat in New York State for the next five years, a wildlife species which continues to fascinate and intrigue both the hunting community and nature observers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of a proposed five-year bobcat management plan for public review and comment. “The plan, once final, will guide the management of bobcat in New York State for the next five years, a wildlife species which continues to fascinate and intrigue both the hunting community and nature observers,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. The draft management plan is available on the DEC website . The comment period on the draft plan runs through Feb. 16. The draft plan describes three primary goals for bobcat management: - Maintain viable population levels and monitor trends in bobcat distribution and relative abundance; - Provide for sustainable use and enjoyment of bobcat by the public; and - Minimize negative bobcat-human interactions. “DEC staff worked closely with trappers and small game hunters to gain preliminary input regarding the future management of the bobcat resource,” said DEC Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Kathleen Moser. “Input obtained from these groups was used by DEC biologists and managers to develop the recommendations and management actions contained in the draft plan, said Moser.” The plan includes proposals to greatly simplify hunting and trapping season dates by making them consistent throughout much of the state as well as establishing new hunting and trapping opportunities in several wildlife management units in central and western New York. While hunters and trappers are the most common users of the bobcat resource, wildlife enthusiasts, nature photographers, and others also benefit from a healthy bobcat population. As is the case with hunters and trappers, many wildlife photographers also view the elusive bobcat as being a “trophy” species and a rewarding challenge to capture on film. “As evidenced by the number of observation reports fielded by Department staff, the public is very interested in bobcats and can play a role in their management by facilitating the collection of data on the species,” said DEC Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resource Director Patty Riexinger. “DEC strives to provide sound management for bobcat and other furbearer species for the benefit of the resource and the people of New York." Comments may be submitted in writing through Feb. 16 to NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Bobcat Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by e-mail to [email protected] (type “Bobcat Plan” in the subject line). View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There are bills in the state Legislature: Sen. Joseph Griffo's S-1206 and Assemblyman Bill McGee's A2418 and Assemblyman Will Barclay's A3007. These bills would lower the snowmobile registration fee (from $100) to $25 for non-trail riding snowmobile owners. The following is a guest column: By Robert Jonick It's about time Albany stops supporting special interest groups that have not worked and have caused the state and its residents great economic loss. After 5 years of huge losses amounting to millions of dollars, I think it is time for Albany, the New York Snowmobile Association and the Office of Parks and Recreation (snowmobile unit) to take a good look at bill No. 6815 -- Snowmobile Rights and Responsibility. Sportsmen should not have to pay the exorbitant registration fee of $100 to be forced to join a snowmobile club when they don't use state trail systems. Law 6815 puts a heavy burden on sportsmen like ice fishermen, trappers and hunters. Due in part to the law, snowmobile registrations have been steadily decreasing since the inception of the law. What impact has the $100 snowmobile registration fee had on the state's economy? Eight hundred and seventy-five million dollar impact. Last year, 40,500 snowmobile registrations were lost. That is a huge loss to the N.Y. State trail fund and snowmobile clubs. It appears that everyone has lost because of this law. This includes many small businesses that depend on snowmobiling for a living. New York State should get out of the business on recruiting members for snowmobile clubs. That, in fact, is what this law comes down to. This law cost millions. In the corporate world, a CEO would have been fired for such a loss and the mandate causing this loss repealed or modified. It's time for Albany, with your help, to do the right thing. Repeal or modify this law so that sportsmen can once again use their snowmobiles for their pleasure and for a reasonable registration fee ($25 non-trail registration fee). There are bills in the state Legislature: Sen. Joseph Griffo's S-1206 and Assemblyman Bill McGee's A2418 and Assemblyman Will Barclay's A3007. These bills would lower the snowmobile registration fee to $25 for non-trail riding snowmobile owners. I join the Oneida Lake Association, the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen, the South Shore Association, OPHRP and ask that you assist us in seeing that $25 non-trail legislation because law. Jonick lives in North Syracuse View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Not all bluebirds migrate -- some will overwinter if there is adequate food, water and shelter. Submitted photo Margie Manthey, of Marietta, sent in this neat photo of an Eastern bluebird. She wrote: "Here in January, a small flock of Eastern bluebirds continues to visit my backyard. Not all bluebirds migrate -- some will overwinter if there is adequate food, water and shelter. They will forage among trees, shrubs and vines such as dogwood, hawthorn, mountain ash, sumac, bittersweet, holly, honeysuckle and wild grape. "Attractants at backyard feeders should include mealworms, suet, chopped fruits, nuts and berries, and a fresh water source (they show interest in our small, bubbling water feature). "This female Eastern Bluebird (photo) was perched in one of our ash trees earlier this winter. I find her muted colors and soft expression enchanting!" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Ken Golub, a competitive bass angler with the Avon Anglers fishing club who took me out on Conesus Lake last spring, has been using an Alabama rig in recent months. He emailed me an eye-opening photo of five bass he caught with an Alabama rig this fall on Conesus Lake with one cast. Submitted photoKen Golub with his five smallmouth bass, all caught on one cast with an Alabama rig on Conesus Lake in Livingston County. The Bassmaster Elite Series Rules Committee last week announced it was amending its tournament rules to limit anglers competing in the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series to the use of a single lure during practice and competition. The rule will be in effect when the nation’s top bass anglers compete in an Elite Series contest on Oneida Lake, scheduled for Aug. 23-26. The rule change, which does not apply to the Bassmaster Open, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, College B.A.S.S. and other events, clarifies the intent of long-standing rules permitting only “one rod, one reel and one cast at a time.” No longer permitted are double soft-jerkbait rigs, drop-shot rigs with jigs used as weights, double topwater setups and other multi-lure rigs, such as “umbrella rigs.” The change becomes effective Feb. 1 and includes the Bassmaster Classic at Shreveport-Bossier City, La., scheduled for Feb. 24-26. The rule change addresses the recent emergence of new multi-lure rigs such as The Alabama Rig, which Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Elias used to win an event on Lake Guntersville last fall. Since his victory, tens of thousands of the multi-lure devices have been sold and they have proved “extremely effective in both recreational and competitive fishing,” according at a B.A.S.S. press release. Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall is carrying them, and Gander Mountain’s Cicero store is expected to have them soon. The Alabama rig and similar setups from other manufacturers consist of a weighted head with five wire leaders trailing behind. Soft plastic swimbaits and similar lures are attached to the leaders, imitating a school of bait fish. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is OK with these lures. “The Alabama rigs are legal in New York provided there are no more than five lures attached and no more than 15 hook points total,” DEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said. “There are special instances where only a single hook point is allowed (e.g. some Great Lakes regulations) or there may be other restrictions, “ she added, “but in general, these rigs are allowed.” Ken Golub, a competitive bass angler with the Avon Anglers fishing club who took me out on Conesus Lake last spring, has been using an Alabama rig in recent months. He emailed me an eye-opening photo of five bass he caught with an Alabama rig this fall on Conesus Lake with one cast. Total weight of the fish was 19.7 pounds, which if you follow bass fishing competitions is often enough to lead the day. “I’m a strong advocate of catch-and-release fishing and I’m wondering about the implications of this,” Golub said. See story written about this in Bassmaster magazine, which Golub posted on his Facebook page.. Imagine an Alabama rig or something like it being used to fish for panfish or trout. What would be the impact on the fishery, particularly on smaller lakes and streams? Is it fair? Does it make sense from a conservation standpoint? I’d like to hear what other readers say. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The landfill has two falconers and a flock of 10 trained falcons that work year-round to keep the landfill’s gull population at a minimum. Watch video The Seneca Meadows Landfill in Waterloo has two falconers and a flock of 10 trained falcons that work year-round to keep the landfill’s gull population at a minimum. “Each year we have an open house and every year (the falcons) always draw the biggest crowd. It’s the highlight of the tour,” said Peter Baker, the landfill’s senior design engineer. No gulls are killed in the process. The falcons are trained to fly about and stoop (dive quickly from the air) at a “lure,” which is a piece of leather on a string that’s swung around the falconer’s head. That action, accompanied by the use of pyrotechnics, scares the garbage-eating birds away. “It’s really amazing how effective it is,” Baker said. It seems, though, that landfills and huge flocks of gulls go hand in hand. Why not? Landfills offer a variety of food for the birds to dine on, provided on nearly a daily basis. Since the original construction of Seneca Meadows in 1983, the birds have been a given. However, when the landfill expanded to include a section along Route 414, landfill administrators began giving the flocks of gulls a second thought. The excessive number of birds created health and liability concerns, being so close to the road. “That’s because of all the bird poop, the pathogens they carry and that type of thing,” Baker said. “And what if something is dropped on the road (by a gull). Is anyone going to get hurt? I don’t know, but if you’re driving along and a chicken bone hits your windshield or something like that ... there’s a safety thing.” As many as 50,000 birds were counted in a single day, and, as a result, the landfill was given permission by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take some of them out. However, using workers with shotguns would have been a public relations fiasco, Baker said, not to mention a safety hazard to landfill workers and the more than 400 trash hauling trucks that visit the landfill almost daily. Landfill administrators decided on a non-violent alternative — the use of falcons, a technique favored by Canadian landfills. Today, the landfill has two trained falconers who manage the 10 birds, which are hybrids of three species — peregrine, gyr and saker falcons. Falcons are used because they’re quick and chase other birds. They’re also less expensive than hawks and eagles. Different sized falcons are used to scare the various sized gulls, said Steve Arndt, one of the landfill’s falconers. The most popular gulls at the landfill are herring gulls, ring-billed and large black-backed gulls, he said. Periodically, particularly during the spring and fall migratory seasons, certain rare species will stop at the landfill, such as Icelandic gulls. The falconers, employees of Falcon Environmental Services, a Plattsburgh-based company, work 365 days a year because, if nothing else, the birds have to be fed daily to ward off illness or other problems. Arndt took one of the falcons, Sheila, a peregrine, down near one of the landfill’s holding ponds to demonstrate how she’s used. After he removed the hood from the bird, it took flight and circled around him. He then took out the lure and swung it over his head on a string. As the bird dived to grab the lure, he quickly pulled it away, causing the bird each time to bank and then fly higher for another try. Each time the bird caught the lure, it was given a treat — a chunk of quail or chicken. The flapping of the falcon’s wings, the circling and the constant stooping to grab the lure, combined with the firing of pyrotechnics, sends a message to the gulls. They’re giving the impression that one of their own is being attacked, and that the landfill is a dangerous place. Arndt said the number of gulls at Seneca Meadows goes up and down, depending on the time of year. Last week, for example, there were between 500 and 1,000. Stuart Rossell, manager of U.S. operations for Falcon Environmental Services, said his company’s services are also at High Acres Landfill near Rochester, and at one time were used at JFK Airport. Other customers include landfills in Canada and New Jersey, along with several military bases. “All the birds we use we raise ourselves,” he said. “The best ones we use for only four to five years, and bring them back to breed more. Some of our birds have been used at landfills (in Canada) for 10-11 years.” Although the falcons are trained, they occasionally fly off, Arndt said. A radio transmitter is put on one of their legs to help the falconers track and find them. Since the falcon program started at Seneca Meadows in 2004, the landfill’s falconers have only lost three birds, which were each valued at about $2,500, Rossell said. If necessary, the landfill’s falconers will go up in an airplane to track a bird. Other times, they just get in a truck and drive. “Three weeks ago, we had one fly off and we got it back on Nine Foot Road, which is about 5 to 6 miles away,” Arndt said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I looked down at the floor and there was this big bird just staring at me," Robin Waters said. " practically knocked my son over running up the stairs." Staff writer Mike Waters, who covers Syracuse University basketball, told me this week about a hawk that crashed through a cellar window in his house in Camillus. His wife, Robin, and their two children, Christopher and Anna Kate, were home at the time. They had just finished dinner, Robin Waters said, when they heard a bang and the sound of broken glass. She said she originally thought a box must have fallen off a shelf. Going into the basement with her son, Christopher, she discovered the bottom half of a window was smashed. “I looked down at the floor and there was this big bird just staring at me,” she said. “I practically knocked my son over running up the stairs.” She called her cousin’s husband, Nick DeSantis, an avid hunter outdoorsman. He came over and went downstairs with a blanket in one hand and a net in the other. He found the bird, a Cooper’s hawk, sitting quietly on the handlebars of a bike. As DeSantis got close, Waters said, the hawk suddenly flew around and slammed again into the window, breaking more glass. Undaunted, it circled around one more time and flew again at the window, this time escaping. “It just left. No blood. Nothing. I even checked the grass outside,” she said. “I got nervous. It must been chasing something. What was he going after?” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Nearly a decade ago, there were some 50,000 birds flocking at the landfill each day. That number has been decreased to 1,000 or less, depending on the day and time of year. Watch video Trained falcons are used year-round to keep the gulls off the trash at the Seneca Meadows Landfill near Waterloo. I went with Staff Photographer Stephen Canerelli Thursday to check out the scene. It was fascinating. Three types of falcons are used and they're very effective. They don't attack the gulls, they just scare the heck out of them as they're circling around. Workers also use pyrotechnics (fireworks) shot from a handgun to frighten the birds. At one point about a decade ago, there were some 50,000 birds flocking at the landfill each day. That number has been decreased to 1,000 or less, depending on the day and time of year. For more on this, see Sunday's Outdoors page in The Post-Standard View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This interesting shot was taken at a bird feeder in Weedsport. Submitted photo Three male get their fill recently at a bird feeder in Weedsport in this photograph submitted by Starlene Greathouse, of Port Byron. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Highland Forest in Fabius, a virtual winter wonderland year after year, was hurting for snow early this week on its numerous trails. Central New York’s wacky winter weather continues to be felt by outdoors enthusiasts across the board. Those included in that category are the cross country skiers and the snowshoers. Highland Forest in Fabius, a virtual winter wonderland year after year, was hurting for snow early this week on its numerous trails. “We’ve had spring-like conditions in the winter,” said park superintendent Brian Kelley. The park’s condition report early this week read “0- to 2-inch base, bare spots, icy patches. Trails have been rolled, but no track will be set until the ground freezes and base depths develop.” Kelley said he’d like to see “a nice 8- to 10-inch base” so his staff can keep the park’s trails consistently groomed. He said the park this year added a skate/ski trail, along with more inventory for the lodge’s shop, which rents cross country skis and snow shoes. “Right now you can ski them, but the trails aren’t in ideal condition,” he said. “People are anxious to get out there and enjoy their thing.” Last weekend’s snow and cold spell did offer some reprieve. I heard reports from friends who enjoyed a cross country skiing outing at Bear Swamp in Sempronius on Saturday. The Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville saw a spike in cross country skiing and snowshoeing Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus saw its first two snowshoe rentals of the year. But that was before Tuesday’s 40-degree temperatures and heavy rains. Hugh Quinn, owner of the Osceola Tug Hill Cross Country Ski Center, in Lewis County, said Monday that his trails continue to enjoy a 6- to 10-inch base and that cross country skiers from across the state and beyond are coming to visit. “We’re set for the winter,” he said. Nevertheless, it’s been “a strange year,” Quinn added. “I saw a tree about two to three weeks ago that had buds on it.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Ice fishermen often compare notes, and those in the know check out websites such as iceshanty.com, where anglers keep each other updated on conditions. They know, for example, that the season is in full swing on the St. Lawrence River and on North Country lakes such as Black Lake. Watch video Alex Doughty held his small ice-fishing rod, slowly jigging a small fluorescent lure tipped with a wax worm through a hole on the ice on the Eaton Brook Reservoir. “I got one,” he said, quickly standing up and pulling out a plump bluegill. “Now, that’s a nice a fish.” Doughty was confidently standing on five inches of ice Tuesday morning — a rarity these days in Central New York where die-hard ice fishermen are eagerly awaiting the arrival of safe ice on large lakes such as Oneida Lake, Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco and Cayuga. Each year, several small, manmade reservoirs in high elevation area in southeastern Madison County, are among the first to freeze — places such as Eaton Brook Reservoir, DeRuyter Reservoir, Tuscarora Lake, Lake Moraine and the Lebanon Reservoir. During the past two weeks, knowing ice anglers have taken advantage of the three to five inches on those waterways. However, Doughty, like many others, can’t wait for such popular spots as Big Bay on Oneida Lake to freeze with three or more inches. The warm temperatures and rain that characterized January this winter delayed most of the local ice fishing scene. James Daher, co-owner of Mickey’s Bait and Tackle Shop in North Syracuse, said his customers are getting edgy. One was waiting in his car for him as he opened up the bait shop Monday morning. He questioned Daher about what he knew about Big Bay. “He went out there to check it out and called me,” Daher said. “He said there was only about two inches of ice and he was turning back. However, he did say there were 4-5 other people out there.” Early this week, Daher said he tried to steer customers away from Oneida, recommending smaller ponds and lakes instead — places like the small Madison County lakes and Cazenovia Lake. Two inches of ice is borderline at best, he said, and anglers who chance fishing on that much ice risk falling through. Staff at the Cornell Biological Field Station at Shackleton Point keep track of the freezing of Oneida Lake each year. Randy Jackson, senior research associate at the field station, said all indications are that there will be an ice fishing season on Oneida this winter, though probably a late one. He said once in recent memory, during the winter of 2001-02, Oneida Lake failed to freeze over and there was no ice fishing season. Another year, it did not freeze over until Jan. 23, with the season not getting under way in earnest until February. Tuesday’s rains, temperatures in the 40s and high winds weren’t good for ice formation on the lake, Jackson said. However, freezing temperatures on Wednesday, Thursday and today will likely turn things around. “My guess is that they’ll be on Big Bay by this weekend,” he said. Even if a decent, secure sheet of ice does form, will it stay? “Yes ... unless it continues to be in the 40s and 50s,” he said. Ice fishermen often compare notes, and those in the know check out websites such as iceshanty.com, where anglers keep each other updated on conditions. They know, for example, that the season is in full swing on the St. Lawrence River and on North Country lakes such as Black Lake, where ice was reported to be 8 to 10 inches thick recently. Central New York is a different story. Nathan Damanski, of Cicero, was out on Cazenovia Lake Tuesday morning, where it was a “solid” three inches. He fished for about an hour and a half, caught three bluegills and left when the heavy rain started. Scott Shupe, a director for the Oneida Lake Association, emailed Monday morning that “there are three idiots out in front of Chapman Park right now (over) 8 to 15 feet of water.” Shupe wrote that skim ice formed on Oneida Saturday night and broke open Sunday. “I doubt the ice is ‘tight’ and can’t be reliably safe,” he continued. “I don’t know of anyone who could perform a timely rescue. I recommend that the diehards wait for a week of sustained sub-freezing days.” That’s easier said than done by someone who hasn’t been bitten by the ice fishing bug. “I fish all year, but I can’t wait for the ice to come,” Doughty said. “I would stand on the shore and throw ice cubes into the lake if I thought that would help.” The 4-40-4 rule Some websites and advisories say that ice two to three inches thick can safely support one person. But not all ice is made equally. Some is solid. Some is honey-combed. Some is cracked. Some is over moving water and thus weaker. James Daher, owner of Mickey’s Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse, uses “the 4-40-4 rule.” He prefers going out when the ice is “at least four inches thick, the temperature is 40 degrees or less, and you have at least four other fishermen around you.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog