HuntingNY-News

The late season for duck hunting in the Western Zone (which includes Onondaga Lake) opens Monday and ends Jan. 10. There’s a group of local duck hunters who each year hunt on Onondaga Lake, and they aren’t too happy this Christmas season. Workers recently put down a layer of stones that completely covers the area of a future state boat launch on Onondaga Lake, off the Solvay exit of westbound Interstate 690. The situation has irked some hunters who have been using the unofficial site for years to launch their boats and hunt for birds that are migrating through on the lake’s undeveloped southern shoreline. Ron Falkowski, president of The Wildfowlers Association of Central New York, said the stones could make the launch inaccessible to many hunters. He noted that the late season for duck hunting in the Western Zone (which includes the lake) opens Monday and ends Jan. 10. “You’re going to get boat trailers down there, and tires are going to cause ruts and stuff, making it difficult for people to launch,” he said. Some hunters will still be able to easily launch car-top craft at the site, Falkowski added. The only other launch site on the lake is the county-owned marina at Onondaga Lake Park on the northern shore in the village of Liverpool. It’s open during the winter but carries a $7.50 launch fee, payable at an honor box. Duck hunters can use it, but their firearms must be unloaded and in a gun case, said Bill Lansley, county parks commissioner. “You just can’t bring a loaded, uncased firearm into the park,” he said. Falkowski wrote earlier this month to Tracy Smith, the project manager for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “The stone that was placed on the area you refer to was placed to prevent human exposure to contaminated material that is present below the stone,” Smith emailed back. “The stone was rolled following placement, but no additional work is planned for this construction season.” I talked Wednesday morning to Ken Lynch, regional director for the DEC’s Region 7, and he confirmed that nothing will be done this year to make the Solvay launch more usable. “We don’t have anything immediately planned,” he said. “Honeywell will work on the site beginning early next year (depending on the weather) in preparation for their dredging project. Hopefully, they will be able to provide some temporary access that won’t conflict with the dredging operation.” Lynch said the problem with access at the site for this hunting season is an “interim problem,” and emphasized “once the dredging is complete, a full-fledged boat launch will be put in there.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Despite high waters, some anglers continue to catch browns and steelhead on the Salmon and Oswego rivers. CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER River has gone up lately, with water temperature dropping rapidly. The browns and steelhead are starting to transition into their winter holes (deeper water). Fishing is still pretty good. Good baits continue to be trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area closed Nov. 30 and will reopen on April 1. OSWEGO RIVER Water has been very high, almost unfishable. Some anglers are catching mostly browns and rainbows behind th downtown hotels using bucktail jigs and minnows, with some casting Little Cleo lures. ONEIDA LAKE The nighttime shore walleye bite has slowed down for many, but some are still cashing in when the wind is in the right direction (blowing into shore). Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Yellow perch are being taken in 10 to 20 feet of water around weed beds. The docks have been removed from the South Shore launch. CAYUGA LAKE There continue to be reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries and anglers getting them on egg imitating flies and streamers. Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock by anglers trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies. Perch are being taken in the north end in 10 to 15 feet of water on fathead and larger minnows. SENECA LAKE Yellow perch fishing continues to be good in 20 to 30 feet of water around Painted Rock and also off the pier. Small minnows and grubs have been working. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on the surface for anglers trolling, or casting, with streamers and stickbaits. OWASCO LAKE Not many out fishing. Those who are fishing are targeting perch, using fathead minnows. Anglers can still fish in the lake’s inlet until Dec. 31. Check the DEC fishing guide book for more information. OTISCO LAKE A few anglers have been out recently fishing for panfish, but there’s nothing else to report. SKANEATELES LAKE Shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs has been working for rainbow trout. Rainbows are also being taken on streamers cast or trolled near the surface. Yellow perch are scattered but some nice sized fish are being taken when they are found. SODUS BAY Perch fishing continues to be good, though few anglers are taking advantage of it, according to one bait shop owner. Fishing around the islands, or at the mouth of Second Creek, with fathead minnows continues to work, he said. SANDY POND No fishing activity to report. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Anglers have been out fishing for northern pike and perch recently. At least one bay was frozen with two inches of ice earlier in the week, but with the rain and warm weather it’s not certain it’ll stay that way for the weekend. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Fishing the spillway with fathead minnows under floats, jigs or stickbaits continues to work well for walleye. A few walleye and yellow perch are still being taken in the reservoir. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

A lunker smallmouth bass was also caught. Submitted photo Ron Panella,of Endicott, holds a 13-pound, 3-ounce walleye he caught Nov. 12 on the Bay of Quinte (on the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario) while fishing with Joe Greco (left) and Carl Lutz, both of Bernhards Bay. It was a good day for Panella as he also reeled in a 5- pound, 2-ounce smallmouth bass. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Have a story idea for the Outdoors Page in The Post-Standard? Call Outdoors Editor David Figura at 470-6066 or email him at [email protected]. This week's offerings include deer hunting stories from readers and the annual "Heroes of Conservation" feature. I'm working on a piece concerning outdoors-related stories from 2011 that warrant an update. Among the ideas I've come up with: - The St. Lawrence River border dispute - The first ever crossbow bow season - The move to get have the hunting age for big game reduced to 12. Anything else I should consider? The stories I plan for this week include: FRIDAY Main piece: The top three deer hunting stories submitted by readers from this fall's firearms season in the Southern Zone Column: An update on the informal boat launch on the southern shore of Onondaga Lake, which appears to be somewhat inaccessible at this point. SUNDAY: MAIN PIECE: The Post-Standard's annual "Heroes of Conservation" feature. ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here. 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

He landed two years ago during his annual spring fishing trip to the Adirondacks with his buddies. Submitted photo A buddy of mine, Scott Rockwell, recently showed me this photo of a 20-inch brook trout he landed two years ago during his annual spring fishing trip to the Adirondacks with his buddies. It was caught on a privately, owned pond, he said. It's an impressive fish. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The count started Dec. 14 and runs through Jan. 5. It's part of an international effort that includes tens of thousands of citizen scientists throughout North and South America. Bird enthusiasts from across Central New York plan to count their feathered friends today at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex as part of Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The count started Dec. 14 and runs through Jan. 5. It’s part of an international effort that includes “tens of thousands of citizen scientists” throughout North and South America, according to a news release. The data will help determine which birds are in most need of help. The count also helps reveal success stories, such as the resurgence of the previously endangered bald eagle and major increases in waterfowl populations, a news release stated. Last year, 62,624 people counted more than 60 million birds from all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and 107 other locations in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. For more on the Christmas Bird Count, see the Audubon Web site. For more on the activity at the Montezuma Complex, call 315-857-4907. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The furs fetching the best prices were an otter for $79 and fisher for $62. The best beaver pelt went for $36, while “a very nice” coyote pelt went for close that. It was one of the best auctions in years, said Al LaFrance. Watch video Peter Chen / The Post-StandardThe furs from coyotes, foxes, muskrats, deer, beavers, raccoons and other animals are layed out for inspection at the Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY's annual fur sale Saturday at the Pompey Rod & Gun Club. Clara Furness looked with pride at her row of furs and deer hides on the floor. She had gray fox, possum, coon, mink – even skunk. “A lot of people don’t do skunks, but as far as I’m concerned they’re gas money,” said the veteran trapper from Fenner Saturday morning at the raw fur auction at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club. “Once you know how to do them, it’s not hard. I wash them in Dawn dish soap, use Febreze with vanilla and spritz them with that, and then I dry them with my blow dryer,” she said. The auction was sponsored by the Independent Fur Harvesters of Central New York. Ten fur buyers from across the state attended. Al LaFrance, president of the local trappers club, played the role of the auctioneer. More than 1,500 various pelts were sold throughout the day, bringing in roughly $9,000. “It’s one of the biggest sales we’ve had in years,” he said. Prices depended on the type of animal, and quality and color of the fur. The furs fetching the best prices were an otter for $79 and fisher for $62. The best beaver pelt went for $36, while “a very nice” coyote pelt went for close that, La France said. “There were a lot of coons. The best went for $24,” he said. La France said most of the furs bought at auctions like Saturday’s ultimately end up overseas and used for trim on clothing and gloves. Lew Crowther, a buyer from Remsen, said the Air Force uses coyote fur for the collars in its jackets. LaFrance and others said furs don’t fetch the prices they used to, and that with all the expenses (time, equipment, gas, etc) it’s usually a wash. Most do it for the tradition and love of trapping. Bill Jones, of Camillus, brought 108 coon, five red fox, a gray fox, 70 muskrat, four mink and two beavers to Saturday’s auction. “It’s been a great year, especially for coons,” he said. “We should break even.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This past week it was announced that Coral Productions, promoters of the Rochester Sportsmen’s Expo for the past three years, will be working jointly with Wight Ox Enterprises (owned by Norm Wightman and John Lenox) to hold an outdoors show at the state fairgrounds next month. It will be called the New York Sportsman’s Expo. We’ve progressed recently from no winter outdoors show this January in the greater Syracuse area, to next year possibly having two at about the same time. In fact, one of the new ones is scheduled to kick off next month to replace the one that was recently canceled. It all started last month when Cindy Hengst, whose Hamilton-based company, CKH Productions, which ran the Northeastern Sport Show at the state fairgrounds, announced it would be canceled this year. The show, which had been a cure for cabin fever for local anglers, hunters and other outdoors enthusiasts, had been held for 57 straight years. “This difficult decision was reached following a thorough review of current market conditions and rising costs associated with conducting a quality event,” she said on her website. That news was followed by an announcement from Tom Tarry, of the Results Group in Syracuse, who said he plans to debut a new and improved New York Sportsmen Show in 2013 to take its place. He told me it’s set for Jan. 25-27 in the new SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College. “I’ve had my eyes on this for a few years, “said Tarry, who took over the Madison-Bouckville Antiques Show this year, in addition to the Golf Show at the state fairgrounds. He was also behind the now defunct “Fishing for Dollars” Tournament on Onondaga Lake, which ran for several years. Tarry said he wanted to wait a year and “do things right” with his show. He added he’s had discussions with a “national retailer that’s going to work with me” and that he promises visitors to his show will see “more product.” Just this week, I was informed that Coral Productions, promoters of the Rochester Sportsmen’s Expo for the past three years, will be working jointly with Wight Ox Enterprises (owned by Norm Wightman and John Lenox) to hold an outdoors show at the state fairgrounds next month. It will be called the New York Sportsman’s Expo. “It will be on the same dates (as the canceled CKH show),” said Patti Cartwright, owner/show manager of Coral Productions, adding it will be held in the Horticulture Building on Jan. 27-29. If all goes well, the show will be offered again next year at the fairgrounds at about the same time, she said. “Absolutely, we plan on it,” Cartwright said. “It’s the weekend between the last playoff game and the Super Bowl. I like that weekend.” I contacted Tarry for his response to next month’s show, which would undoubtedly be competition for his event next year. “Mine is definitely happening,” he said. “This show needs a fresh coat of paint, and it’s going to take longer than eight weeks to do that.” Glenn Dunning, of the Brookfield, Vt.-based Tundra Tour, a travel agency that specializes in North American hunting and fishing adventures, said his company has been represented at the Northeastern Sportsmen’s Show for 20 years. He was disappointed to hear it was canceled but pleased to hear the latest development. “I’m an exhibitor that needs to reach that market,” he said. “My hope is that it (the new show) will be properly run so we will have a hall of exhibitors and to give the greater sportsmen community a place to go during what’s always the nastiest week (weather-wise) in January.” Stephen Wowelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, noted, “With Central New York having a very large number of hunters and more fishing licenses per capita than anywhere in the state, it will not take a long time for promoters to realize that CNY is an ideal location for an outdoor sports show/expo. “A new venue, with different exhibits and activities, may be the spark needed for the revitalization of a sportsman’s show in CNY,” he said. “ If more than one show materializes, there may be competition for getting limited resources, displays, local participation and activities. Competition may be a good thing, where the sportsman comes out ahead in the long run.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The most recent figures indicate that more than 900 bears were killed this fall by hunters statewide. Preliminary reports from the state’s bear hunting scene indicate a record number of successful hunts this fall — particularly from those counties bordering Pennsylvania from the Binghamton area and westward. “The bear take was down in the Northern (Adirondack) Zone but reached record levels in the Southern Zone,” said Matt Richards, a wildlife biologist from the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Cortland office. The Southern Zone is made up of the central and western zones, along with the southeast area of the state. Richards, citing a recent report from the Albany office of the DEC, said the state’s central and western zones were on track to top 300 bears as of Dec. 9. The previous record for that area, which stretches from Broome County, along the Pennsyvania border all the way to Lake Erie, was 189 bears. Richards said the number of bears taken in the southeast area (which includes the Catskills) was up, but not as much as the central and western areas. The most recent figures indicate that more than 900 bears were killed this fall by hunters statewide. In New York’s Southern Zone, which includes Central New York, bear hunting is permitted during the regular and late bowhunting season, the regular firearms season and during the muzzleloading season. The late bow and muzzleloading seasons close Tuesday. Bear hunting is allowed in only specific areas. One can’t hunt them, for example, in Cayuga, Oswego or Oneida counties. More specifics and maps are available in the DEC hunting guide. It’s been three years since the DEC expanded the state’s black bear hunting zone to include portions of Madison and Cortland counties, along with a sliver of southern Onondaga County in Fabius and Tully. Richards noted no bears were taken in those areas this fall as of Nov. 29. During that same time period, Richards said 20 bears were taken in Broome County, along with five in Tioga and two each in Chenango and Tompkins counties. Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director Carl G. Roe recently announced preliminary bear harvest results from that state’s recently concluded seasons. Hunters harvested 3,968 bears, which would rank as the total harvest as the second highest in Pennsylvania history. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Cameras, equipped with motion sensors, captured photos of two elusive snow leopards on a ridge in the Altai Mountains along the Russia-Mongolia border. Photo courtesy of Sergei Spitsyn (Arkhar/Altaisky State Biosphere Reserve)A snow leopard SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forest researchers recently set up trail cameras on a remote mountain range in Siberia. The cameras, equipped with motion sensors, captured photos of two elusive snow leopards on a ridge in the Altai Mountains along the Russia-Mongolia border. “To get a picture is really a big deal,” said James P. Gibbs, an ESF conservation biologist, who has been involved in several research projects involving snow leopards in the area for more than three years. “We’ve seen scrapes, scratch marks on trees. But a picture is irrefutable,” he added. The photos were taken between Oct. 26 and 30 at an altitude of about 12,000 feet in elevation at the Chikhachyova Ridge in the Altai Republic. Gibbs said the animals are probably part of a larger population that extends into Mongolia. Ten cameras were installed in the area during an expedition this past summer. Gibbs made the trip with Jacqueline Frair, an ESF wildlife ecologist, and three SUNY ESF graduate students: James Arrigoni, Meredith Atwood and Elizabeth Hunter. The main reason for the trip was to survey the population of Argali sheep, the world’s largest wild sheep species, which is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. But the researchers did double duty, searching at the same time for evidence of snow leopards. Gibbs said there’s only an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 snow leopards left in an expansive area that stretches from Afghanistan to Russia, and eastward to the China/Nepal area The animal’s population is threatened by poachers who hunt the animals for their distinctive spotted coats. Adult snow leopards range in size from 50 to 100 pounds. “They’re sort of like a small but very thickly furred cougar,” he said. Gibbs said ESF supplied the high-tech cameras through a $20,000 grant from Panthera, a conservation organization that focuses on saving wild cats. In addition to the snow leopards, the cameras took pictures of the rarely seen Pallas cat, also called a manul — another thick-furred, feline about the size of a domestic cat. The cameras will continue to track snow leopard movements on the ridge throughout the winter, he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

More tickets were written this year than last year and enforcement levels increased during the nighttime hours. John Berry/The Post-StandardAnglers trying their luck at the Trestle Pool on the Salmon River this fall. State Department of Environmental Conservation officers maintained a steady presence this fall on the Salmon and Oswego rivers, as well as other Lake Ontario tributaries in Oswego County, during the annual spawning run of salmon. Bottom line: More tickets were written this year than last year and enforcement levels increased during the nighttime hours. Last year, officers wrote 426 tickets and issued 175 verbal warnings. This fall, from Sept. 10 to Oct. 21, officers wrote 578 tickets and warned 249 anglers about illegal activity. A report of the tickets issued was recently compiled by Lt. John A. Reitmeier, from the DEC’s Syracuse office, who supervised the officers on the detail. He talked this week about the report. 2011 Salmon Run Report Why did the number of tickets go up this year? Is there some kind of trend here about what anglers are doing or not doing? The types of offenses have been pretty consistent in comparing the two years. The majority of tickets were written both years on the Salmon River. This year, though, we put more man-hours into our enforcement. It wasn’t that we had more officers. We just allocated more overtime to the detail. We used all five encon officers assigned to Oswego County, along with having the remainder of the officers in Region 7 come up at least a couple of days or more to work. Looking at your report, the most tickets were issued for anglers who took fish by “snatching or blind snatching.” Don’t anglers learn, or is there just a lot of ignorance out there about what is allowed and what’s not?Most anglers know the rules. Some come up here determined to catch fish and figure they’re going to do what they figure they have to do and take their chances. Last year we issued 109 tickets in this category. This year we wrote 265. Once again, there’s a direct correlation to the number of man-hours officers worked. The second most ticketed offense is “distance between hook/lure and weight added to line/leader exceeds four feet.” What’s going on with that? Anglers fishing the Salmon River year after year come up with numerous ways to catch fish. This rig results in a whipping action (of the baited hook) in the water. Depending on the water flow and the length of the leader, anglers end up foul-hooking more fish. These type of regulations you don’t see anywhere else. They’ve evolved to curtail illegal fishing techniques. Every time somebody comes up with a new way to foul-hook fish, the state comes up with regulations to prevent that. Do you see a lot of repeat offenders? We do. And occasionally the officer remembers the angler or does a violator inquiry and realizes it’s not the first time. In such cases, a revocation order is submitted to Albany to have an angler’s fishing license privilege revoked. I see 17 tickets were written for anglers fishing other than during legal hours. What are the legal hours for fishing these waters and how late at night or early morning are we taking about anglers being caught fishing illegally? Legal fishing hours are a half hour before sunrise and until a half hour after sunset. We’ve ticketed some people for fishing an hour after sunset and up until midnight — and later in some circumstances. I also see 20 anglers were ticketed for trespassing on the Salmon River. Were those tickets for any particular stretch of river? We received complaints from the Douglaston Run folks (a private, for-pay fishing area on the lower part of the river). We also issued tickets for anglers trespassing on state-owned land near the state hatchery on Beaver Dam Brook, which is posted. The others were spread out along the river. Any highlights enforcement-wise from this past fall’s fishing season that you’d like to mention? Last year after the season we talked about lack of enforcement during the nighttime hours along the Salmon River. This year we were able to overcome that and officers worked a fair amount of hours after dark. To report poachers: If you suspect someone is violating the state’s fish and wildlife laws, call 911 or the DEC’s 24-hour hotline at 1-877-457-5680. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

“We got back about three or four back. The rest had to be put down,” said Glenn Donnelly. The saga of the escaped 14 Roosevelt elk from a private zoo/wildlife area in the town of Brutus came to an end recently, with the majority of the animals having to be shot. “We got back about three or four back. The rest had to be put down,” said Glenn Donnelly, the former president of DIRT Motorsports, who owned the elk, which originally came from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse more than 10 years ago. Donnelly said earlier this week that in addition to the herd’s sole bull and a cow that were mistakenly shot by hunters shortly after they escaped, an additional two cows were also mistakenly taken down by hunters. The latter two cows were smaller than the 800-pound-plus animals initially shot. “One of the (latter two) hunters came over to my house crying, saying he was sorry,” he said. “I’m sure he meant it.” Donnelly said each year the elk would manage to escape during the rut, which usually occurred during late October, early November — always before the hunting season. Sometimes they’d just run through the 8-foot-high fence. Each time, however, they would return to his land without incident. This year, because of the warmer weather, the rut started later for the elk. They escaped during the regular firearms season for deer. “Things started off bad as soon as the guy shot the bull, which was the leader of the herd,” Donnelly said. “Each time before when they escaped, they never strayed more than a mile and never went any farther. We’d get enough guys on four-wheelers and we’d get them back.” DEC officials have pointed out it’s a hunter’s responsibility to know what he or she is shooting at. At this point, no tickets have been issued to any of the four hunters who told investigators they accidentally shot Donnelly’s elk. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

There are steelhead being caught throughout the Salmon River, with most of the angler pressure taking place between Pineville and the Lower Fly Zone. At Sodus Bay, fishing around the islands, or at the mouth of Second Creek, with fathead minnows is working for perch. CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). SALMON RIVER There are steelhead being caught throughout the river, with most of the angler pressure taking place between Pineville and the Lower Fly Zone. Good baits continue to be trout beads (10mm), egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers, stonefly nymphs and egg-imitating flies. The Upper Fly Fishing Area closed Nov. 30 and will reopen on April 1. Fish are starting to transition to their winter holding water (the slower, deeper pools). OSWEGO RIVER Brown trout and steelhead fishing has been very good from the bridge to the dam, especially for anglers getting out in drift boats. Estaz eggs, egg sacs, trout beads and woolly buggers are all working for the browns and steelhead. ONEIDA LAKE The nighttime shore walleye bite has slowed down for many, but some are still cashing in when the wind is in the right direction (blowing into shore). Anglers are also catching perch from shore using minnows and bobbers. Yellow perch are being taken in 10 to 20 feet of water around weed beds. The docks have been removed from the South Shore launch. CAYUGA LAKE There were reports of Atlantic salmon in some of the tributaries, and anglers were getting them on egg-imitating flies and streamers. Lake trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken around Taughannock by anglers trolling with spoons, or flashers and flies. Perch are being taken in the north end in 10 to 15 feet of water on fathead and larger minnows. SENECA LAKE Yellow perch fishing has been good in 20 to 30 feet of water around Painted Rock and also off the pier. Small minnows and grubs have been working. Brown trout and Atlantic salmon are being taken on the surface for anglers trolling, or casting, with streamers and stickbaits. OWASCO LAKE Not many out fishing. Those who are fishing are targeting perch. A few browns are also being caught in the Inlet. OTISCO LAKE No new fishing activity to report. SKANEATELES LAKE Shore fishing with marshmallow and worm rigs has been working for rainbow trout. Rainbows are also being taken on streamers cast or trolled near the surface. Yellow perch are scattered but some nice-sized fish are being taken when they are found. SODUS BAY Perch fishing continues to be very good. Fishing around the islands, or at the mouth of Second Creek, with fathead minnows is working for some jumbo perch. SANDY POND No fishing activity to report. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Muskie fishing is still the highlight, but it’s been slow lately. Several perch fishermen have been getting out, but that bite is slow, too. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Fishing the spillway with fathead minnows under floats, jigs or stickbaits continue to work well for walleye. A few walleye and yellow perch are still being taken in the reservoir. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was 40 inches long. He was trolling at the time for rainbows. Submitted photo Now this a huge fish! Paul Tomaszewski, of Weedsport, holds up a 40-inch long, 20.8-pound lake trout he caught Dec. 14 in Skaneateles Lake while trolling for rainbows. His cousin, Tom Piascik, who was fishing with him that day, wrote: "It is by far the biggest fish ever landed by Paul and would be the trout of a lifetime for any angler. "As you know, Skaneateles has the reputation for producing a bruiser every now and then. I am glad that I got to witness such a rare and special event. " Paul, a lifelong avid stream fisherman, reeled in a 22 inch rainbow 40 minutes earlier. They were both "firsts" for him on Skaneateles. Needless to say it was quite a day's fishing!" View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

In Mississippi’s alligator hunt, which began in 2005, hunters travel the Pearl or the Pascagoula rivers using hooks, lines and the occasional shotgun. View the full article

The 14-pointer dressed out at 195 pounds. Submitted photoGrippe and his 14-pointer. Chuck Van Camp, of Weedsport, wrote me recently about a successful hunting trip that he and his boss, Brian Grippe, had near Weedsport. Grippe shot a nice, 14-pointer. It field dressed at 195 pounds, Van Camp said, and had a "wet" Boone and Crockett score of 147. Initially, the two men were calling Grippe's deer a 15-pointer. "Now they're calling it a 14 point because the one small point on the right antler right at the base by his skull was not over 1-1/2" long," Van Camp said. Meanwhile, Van Camp bagged a 9-pointer on the same day. Pictures of both deer are below. Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Shot a wild boar or a bear, or successfully harvested a deer with a crossbow this hunting season? Call 470-6066 or email [email protected]. Stories on this week's outdoors pages include a summary of tickets issued by DEC officers during salmon fishing season; Saturday's raw fur auction in Pompey. With the closure of the regular firearms season for deer, I'm still waiting to hear from any successful CNY: 1). Wild boar hunter 2). Crossbow-carrying hunter 3). Bear hunter Also, the deadline for entries to my hunting story contest is this Thursday. The winner gets a "The Hunt, Trophy Showdown," which is the new, hunting Wii game from Bass Pro. If you harvested any of the above animals, or have a good story to tell, give me a call at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected] Here's the tentative offerings for this week: John Berry/The Post-StandardAnglers trying their luck at the Trestle Pool on the Salmon River this fall. FRIDAY: Main piece: Local DEC releases report summarizing numbers and types of tickets issued this fall on the Salmon River, Oswego River and other Oswego County tributaries. Most tickets were issued for...(drum roll please)..."taking fish by snatching or blind snatching." Column: SUNY ESF folks get unique photos of snow leopards on Russian Mongolian border (not making this up)..Maybe an update on the elk in Weedsport that recently got loose. SUNDAY: Main piece: We attend the annual raw fur auction Saturday morning at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club. Anyone in the market for muskrat, beaver or raccoon pelts? This is the place to be... Column: I address the issue of hunting-related accidents this fall in CNY.. Coming: - Perch fishing in Seneca Lake (it's been on fire lately) - Hunting stories submitted by readers - Should moose hunting (in some way or form) be allowed in this state? (the state's Conservation Council is pushing to make it happen). - A story about state land in Chenango County that's overrun with deer and what's being done to address the problem - late season Canada goose hunting 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

Each year, a special, 12-day hunting season is held at the depot to thin the herd there. This year, it began Nov. 19 and closes Dec. 10. Hunters have the option of shooting regular (brown-colored) deer there, or one of the depot's unique white deer. Submitted photo David Nelson, a retired military man who's currently working up at Fort Drum, harvested this 10-point buck on Dec. 11 at the Seneca Army Depot in Romulus. Each year, a special, 12-day hunting season is held at the depot to thin the herd there. This year, it began Nov. 19 and closes Dec. 10. Hunters have the option of shooting regular (brown-colored) deer there, or one of the depot's unique white deer. Although there's no cost, there are a few unique rules associated with the hunt -- and it really helps to know someone.The only hunters allowed on the grounds during the hunt are active or retired military personnel, along with present or retired employees of the depot. But there's room for others. Active servicemen and current employees of the depot are allowed to bring up to three guests each. There are no guarantees, though. A maximum of 40 hunters are allowed on the depot's 10,600 acres each day, and they must win their spots through a lottery. See my previous story on this hunt. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

One shot to the heart is all it took. Submitted photo Alec Brown, 15, poses with his first deer, a doe. "One shot to the heart is all it took" said his father. Alec shot it in Cortland County on Nov. 27. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Looking at these photos, which were published on the Denver Post Web site, I kept asking myself how the hunters up in Weedsport who shot the two elk could have possibly made a mistake thinking they were deer. With the strong react to the recent elk shooting incident in Weedsport, I found this story sent to me by a buddy up in Rochester concerning a pastor's run-in with an elk on a Colorado trout stream amusing. Looking at these photos, which were published on the Denver Post Web site, I kept asking myself how the hunters up in Weedsport who shot the two elk could have possibly made a mistake thinking they were deer. Check out several photos concerning the Colorado incident. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was taken at 9:15 in the morning, 15 minutes before we were getting ready to stop hunting to get home and help prepare dinner, his father said. Submitted photoAlan Baker, 20, poses with his first buck. His father, Al, wrote: "It was taken Thanksgiving morning behind his Grandmother's house in Granby (near Fulton). "It was aged at 3 1/2 years old and weighed 175 pounds. It's a nice 8-point with 18 inch high rack, 16 1/2 inches between the G-2 tines and 18 1/2 at the widest width. "It was taken at 9:15 in the morning, 15 minutes before we were getting ready to stop hunting to get home and help prepare dinner. Needless to say, we were a little late! He was hunting with his Dad, Al. I'm not sure who was more excited, him or I." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The best tale will win “The Hunt, Trophy Showdown” Wii game, which is Bass Pro Shops’ newest edition of computer hunting games. The deadline to submit a story is Dec. 15. Have an eye-opening, quirky or funny deer hunting tale to tell from this fall’s regular firearms season? We’d like to hear it. Pictures would help. Keep your story to fewer than 300 words. The best tale will win “The Hunt, Trophy Showdown” Wii game, which is Bass Pro Shops’ newest edition of computer hunting games. The kit includes the game and a 22-inch, firearm-shaped controller. “The most realistic hunting experience available,” the game’s box says. “Trophy Showdown brings you to an amazing variety of North American lands ... featuring big and small game, aggressive predators.” The authors of the second- and third-place stories will be given a choice of nearly two dozen outdoor books on my desk. The deadline for submitting a story is noon Dec. 15. Send them to [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Try Pauline Eggers of Deer Search, who's had 16 successful finds so far this fall with Braylee, a wirehaired dachshund. Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-StandardPauline Eggers holds her dog, Braylee, after the wirehaired dachshund found a coyote skin she had put out for demonstration purposes. By Heather Wentz Contributing writer When Paulene Eggers takes her dog, Braylee, for a walk in the woods this time of year they’re usually on a mission. Eggers, a Syracuse Police officer of 25 years, recently joined a non-profit organization called Deer Search, Inc., which is a volunteer group that uses tracking dogs to find wounded game during the hunting season. "I’m absolutely addicted," Eggers said. "It’s challenging and rewarding and sometimes you’ll get a young person who’s just started off hunting, and then they’re just thrilled to death when you find the deer for them." Deer Search began more than 40 years ago when the state began allowing the use of specially trained, licensed dogs to find wounded deer. During the bow and firearms seasons each fall, Deer Search operates a dispatch service that hunters can call when they shoot a deer and are unable to find it afterward. "What it does is handles the requests for tracking services, because there are only a limited number of searchers and handlers scattered around New York State," Eggers said. Eggers interest in tracking wounded game began in 2009 when a friend gave her a 11-week-old, wirehaired dachshund for Christmas, which she named Braylee. The dogs, originally bred in Germany, are great tracking dogs. She also received a book written by John Jeanneney called "Tracking Dogs for Finding Wounded Deer." Eggers read the book and used it to train Braylee. Last spring, she attended a Deer Search competition in Campbell, N.Y. and became so enthralled with the group she joined soon after. She then set about getting Braylee certified as a tracking dog. "It is an extremely challenging course for certification," Eggers said. "It’s an 1,000-yard course with three, 90-degree turns and the deer blood has been laid out 24 hours in advance, but she did fantastic." Eggers said Braylee scored very high and impressed the certification judges. After Braylee was certified, Eggers got herself certified as a state licensed, deer searcher in October. Since then, Eggers and Braylee have been on 16 searches and been successful on each one. The biggest deer they recovered to date is an 11 pointer found in Moravia during the bow hunting season. Eggers is the only Deer Search volunteer in the Finger Lakes region, which includes Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Tompkins and Cayuga counties. She said she has been very busy in the past month. She even took some time off of work to do searches. On a typical search, Eggers said she receives the message from the dispatch and then contacts the hunter and he or she tells her what happened. Then, she and Braylee generally go out the next day to track the wounded game. Eggers said it has taken Braylee as short as 15 minutes and as long as an hour and 15 minutes to track the wounded deer. All she has to say is, "Find the deer, Braylee," and the dog goes to work. "She loves it," Eggers said. "To her, it’s all fun and games and she always comes through for me." Deer Search members do not charge a fee for their tracking services. They only accept donations. Eggers said on average, people are very generous because they are so appreciative of having their services. She has received between $25 and $100 donations The money the volunteers receive goes to operating the dispatch service and to help pay for volunteers’ gas. Deer Search also purchases tracking gear, which the volunteers can buy. When out looking for a deer, Eggers takes precautions. She wears a bright orange and yellow reflective vest. Braylee is attached to a 30-foot tracking leash that is bright yellow. Eggers also carries a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber handgun, which she has not to use yet to dispatch a deer. "I try to be very safety conscious during gun season. That’s the only time I feel a little uneasy about going out there into the field," she said. Eggers said she plans to track wounded deer for many deer hunting seasons to come. "I have this overwhelming enthusiasm for hunting and fishing like most sports people do, and this is just right up my alley," she said. NEED HELP FINDING A DEER? Call the Deer Search hotline at 585-5220. For more on Deer Search, check out the group's Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The unseasonably warm weather in recent weeks has slowed or halted bird migrations in the state, affecting the duck hunting scene. It hasn’t exactly been a ducky fall for duck hunters across the state. Duck hunters were extremely optimistic going into this fall’s hunting season due to predictions by federal wildlife and Ducks Unlimited officials . Experts from both said this fall’s duck migrations of most types of birds was supposed to be great -- among the biggest and best in decades. However, the unseasonably warm weather in recent weeks has slowed or halted bird migrations in the state, affecting the duck hunting scene. Jim Costello, a duck hunting guide show specializes in the St. Lawrence River/Lake Ontario region, mostly in Jefferson County, pointed out the North Country hunting season for ducks has ended. “Usually our clients have shot about 1,600 to 2,000 birds by now. This year, they haven’t even killed 1,000,” he said. Ron Falkowski, president of Central New York Wildfowlers, agreed that’s it’s been a lackluster season so far. “It’s been too warm. The ducks haven’t been moving.” Falkowski noted, however, that last week a large population of bluebills, which he estimated to be some 2,000 strong, was camped out off the northern shore of Oneida Lake. He also spotted a large population of migrant mallards on nearby Peter Scott Swamp in Penneville in Oswego County. “They haven’t been leaving,” he said. “There’s no reason for them to move. The water and the feed are still there, and they’re not feeling a lot of pressure. Most guys are out deer hunting.” Sarah Fleming, a regional biologist with Ducks Unlimited, said there were very large numbers of ducks in the breeding grounds up north. She concurred that the warm weather has drawn out the annual fall migration, noting that some birds are moving through, but not in big concentrated numbers. “We haven’t seen the big flush yet like we’ve seen in the past during this time of year,” she said. “What really pushes the birds is snow and ice, which moves them out of the wetlands. They move because food is no longer available.” Fleming said hunters should take heart, particularly in the Western Zone, which includes the Finger Lakes area. That part of the state has a final duck hunting season beginning Dec 26 and lasting until Jan. 9 . “You still might see a big push and our hope is you’ll see better hunting conditions then,” she said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The camp is designed for young skiers ages 5-8 with a focus on fun, foundational ski skills, and a basic introduction to ski racing. Toggenburg Mountain’s Junior Race Association’s Gatebuster 2011-12 season is opening with a three-day camp, Dec. 27-29, at the Fabius ski slope. The camp is designed for young skiers ages 5-8 with a focus on fun, foundational ski skills, and a basic introduction to ski racing. The camp fee is $50 for three days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., plus parents can purchase a reduced-price lift ticket. Camp participants must be able to ski Toggenburg’s main hill and have knowledge of chair lift use. In January, the Gatebuster season continues, including six Saturday training sessions and three Sunday fun races. For more, call 683-5842 or email [email protected]. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog