HuntingNY-News

To nominate someone, e-mail or mail a nomination statement of no more than 300 words outlining the person's accomplishments. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Dec. 9. Many readers of this blog have one thing in common – a love and appreciation for the outdoors. Some go the extra mile in helping in giving Mother Nature a helping hand. It’s for that reason that four years ago The Post-Standard’s “Heroes of Conservation” was established. This feature honors those unselfish individuals who give untold volunteer hours and often money out of their own pockets to maintain or restore Central New York’s woods, fields and waterways so we all can enjoy them. The award also honors those who volunteer their time to pass on the positive practices and traditions of outdoor activities ranging from birding to bear hunting. For these individuals, it’s not enough to just enjoy these activities themselves. They want to mentor, to pass on their passion to others. Do you know a hero of conservation? To nominate someone, e-mail or mail a nomination statement to me of no more than 300 words outlining the person’s accomplishments. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Dec. 9. A story will run on this page in late December highlighting the top candidates. Questions? Call 470-6066. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Ken Lynch, regional director of Region 7 of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said it’s all part of the company’s continued efforts to comply with an agreement with the state to clean up Onondaga Lake and surrounding company-owned land. Honeywell officials are meeting with local rod and gun club members and other outdoor enthusiasts lately seeking input on the company’s plans to provide access and parking for fishermen on company-owned property on Nine Mile and Onondaga creeks. Ken Lynch, regional director of Region 7 of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said it’s all part of the company’s continued efforts to comply with an agreement with the state to clean up Onondaga Lake and surrounding company-owned land. The two stretches of property – one, below the Amboy Dam on Nine Mile Creek off Airport Road; the other along Onondaga Creek off Tully Farms Road – should be open for trout fishing next spring. Lynch added that as part of the multi-facted agreement, plans are still on track for Honeywell to build a new, two-bay boat launch for trailered boats and a separate launch site for car-top craft (canoes, kayaks) on the southern shore of Onondaga Lake off the Solvay exit on westbound Route 690. The land is owned by the state Department of Transportation and following its completion the boat launch would be turned over to the DEC to maintain. Plans also call for 60 parking spaces and a handicapped fishing ramp stretching into the lake. The completion date, though, is still several years off, Lynch said. It wouldn’t be built until after the company completes its dredging project in the lake, he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Pass It On Award was presented to veteran outdoors writer/hunter Bill Hollister, of Valatie, and the M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award was presented to loon researcher/advocate Dr. Nina Schoch, or Ray Brook, at the Oct. 15 annual banquet of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association held Oct. 15 in Gloversville. The following is a press release from the New York State Outdoors Writers Association: The Pass It On Award was presented to veteran outdoors writer/hunter Bill Hollister, of Valatie, and the M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award was presented to loon researcher/advocate Dr. Nina Schoch, or Ray Brook, at the Oct. 15 annual banquet of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association held Oct. 15 in Gloversville. PASS IT ON AWARD This award is jointly presented by NYSOWA and Bass Pro Shops in honor of the writer selected annually as doing the most to pass on a love and understanding of our outdoor heritage. The writer is chosen from among NYSOWA’s membership and honored at the fall conference. Bass Pro Shops makes a significant contribution to the NYSOWA Scholarship Fund in that individual’s name. Bill Hollister spent his life as a wildlife biologist and supervisor with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. During his career and his retirement he continually worked for the preservation and enjoyment of outdoor sports. He has also been an outdoor writer for over 30 years and has written for a number of publications. He was one of the first to embrace the sport of turkey hunting as restoration efforts spread the birds across New York State. He shared his expertise and knowledge of techniques in seminars around the state and they were immensely popular as countless numbers of hunters were introduced to this growing sport. Hollister has also conducted many seminars on deer hunting and other outdoor skills, written many articles on various types of hunting and fishing, and mentored young writers as they pursued careers in outdoor writing. He continues to guide and mentor individual hunters, especially youngsters during the Youth Hunting Days. Over the years he has helped or introduced innumerable hunters to the skills of various types of hunting, as well as an appreciation of the outdoors. THE M. PAUL KEESLER AWARD This award was created in the name of one of NYSOWA’s most beloved and active members, M. Paul Keesler, the deceased co-founder of “New York Sportsman” magazine. Keesler, through his writing and publishing efforts, spent nearly five decades promoting and conserving the outdoor wonders and recreational opportunities within New York State. The award recognizes an individual or organization that effectively has raised the public’s awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in the state. Nominations could be made by the public, as well as by NYSOWA members. Dr. Schoch resigned her veterinary practice in order to develop a program to study and protect the common loon, the symbol of the Adirondack wilds. Threats to the loon population had included mercury deposition, lead poisoning, and continued deterioration of their habitat. Her efforts enlisted the help of hundreds of volunteers and the scientific community in the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program. Her efforts at gaining public support has gathered over 500 who participate in the annual loon census on 200 lakes in the Adirondacks Public awareness and concern have been increased by the opportunity to participate in research, public relations, the website, and school curriculum. Today there are signs indicating what boaters can do to protect loons and countless people are aware of threats to nesting loons and chicks. She sought the cooperation of the sportsmen and worked with Gremlin Sinker Company to provide non-toxic sinkers and a trade-in program to remove toxic lead which had been a cause of many loon deaths in the Adirondacks. Her efforts at raising awareness of mercury deposition and the problems that it causes have resulted in efforts to curtail this to the benefit of all wildlife and fish. By reaching out to the science and public involvement, the Adirondack loon has apparently doubled in numbers since the 1980s as well as become a symbol of the wild and a healthier environment. Her efforts have extended far beyond the Adirondacks and for these reasons the NYSOWA is proud to present her with this prestigious award. The New York State Outdoor Writers Association is a professional organization of communicators dedicated to increasing the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of our outdoor heritage in the use and enjoyment of natural resources. Its primary purpose is to improve knowledge and skill among its members in the art of communication. For more information on NYSOWA. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"We have an increasing number of students coming into our programs -- such as wildlife ecology, conservation biology, environmental biology majors --who didn't grow up in rural areas or on farms and simply haven't had exposure to hunters or trappers," said Jacqui Frair, an assistant professor of wildlife ecology at SUNY ESF. Submitted photoSUNY ESF student Samantha Goss gets a lesson in shooting a bow at the Fayetteville-Manlius Rod and Gun Club. Jacqui Frair said she was seeing it more and more at SUNY ESF and decided to take some action. “We have an increasing number of students coming into our programs — such as wildlife ecology, conservation biology, environmental biology majors — who didn’t grow up in rural areas or on farms and simply haven’t had exposure to hunters or trappers,” said Frair, an assistant professor of wildlife ecology. For the first time this fall, Frair offered an elective course, “Hunter and Trapper Education for Wildlife Professionals.” Among the highlights of the course: each of the 40 students enrolled were required to go through a hunter safety course (for firearms), a bowhunter safety course, a waterfowl ID course and a trapper safety/education course. More than a dozen local instructors — the same folks who offer these courses at local rod and gun clubs and other settings to beginners in Central New York — donated their time. “The point is that hunters and trappers are among the major constituents that resource professionals serve,” she said. “You need to at least respect these communities and what they do.” Frair said participation in her course has been an eye-opener for many of her students, who were juniors and seniors. “You can’t walk out of a hunter safety course and not respect these guys,” she said. “They talk conservation, ethics. Their love of the resource really translates well to the students.” Frair said she’s been supplementing what the instructors offer with lectures on the history of conservation and the role that hunters and trappers have played, and continue to play, in wildlife management in this country. The bottom line, Frair said, is that she’s “making sure the students have opportunities to interact with the (local) hunting and trapping communities.” During the Oct. 1-2 weekend, she said students helped at waterfowl check stations on the Perch River and Oneida Lake. During their Thanksgiving break, she added, they’re helping out at deer and bear check stations near their homes in this state and others. She also is requiring that they attend deer processing businesses and check deer that are handled there. Frair said most of her students “can get their heads around hunting,” but many are somewhat ambivalent about trapping, which they are currently studying in the course. “They need to respect and understand trapping (and the need for it), even if don’t do it themselves,” she said. Michael Arnold, of Camillus, was among those volunteers who helped out with a hunter safety course in Frair’s class. He said most of the instruction took place at SUNY ESF, but added the field sessions for the hunter and bowhunter safety courses were held at the Fayetteville Manlius Rod and Gun Club. He said he was honored to interact with potential future leaders and researchers in the area of wildlife management and that Frair should be commended for putting the course together. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Kenny Hemshrot, 19, of Rome, one of the youngest, state-certified, fishing guides ever to take on clients on the Salmon River, is up for the challenge. John Berry/The Post-StandardKenny Hemshrot, 19, of Rome prepares his boat for a trip down the Salmon River in Altmar. By Nick Firman Contributing writer Loving fishing and knowing how to catch the big ones is one thing. Helping other anglers, even the inexperienced ones, to hook fish on a daily basis is quite another. Kenny Hemshrot, 19, of Rome, one of the youngest, state-certified, fishing guides ever to take on clients on the Salmon River, is up for the challenge. “Being skunked happens to the best of us,” he said. “As a guide I can’t make the fish feed, but I can try my hardest to put my clients on fish.” Getting to be a state Department of Environmental Conservation-approved fishing guide doesn’t happen overnight. Hemshrot had to take courses in CPR, First Aid and water safety, in addition to passing a three-part written test at the DEC building in downtown Albany. “The biggest requirement in my opinion is to be a good fisherman and be able to teach people the ethically right way to fish,” he said. He began guiding paying clients this past week. His future plans, though, may cut short his guiding career. “Right now, I’m sworn into the United States Air Force and will probably be shipped out in six to eight months,” he said. “Meanwhile, I have nothing better to do besides fish every day. So it only made sense to guide and enjoy my free time before I explore the world.” Hemshrot talked this week about how he came to be a guide and what he’s found out about his job so far. Q: Who taught you the ins and outs of fishing and all about the Salmon River at such a young age? A: My dad taught me a lot about fishing. He guided for six years in Alaska while in the United States Air Force. He has taught me how to work with clients and has been very helpful. When it comes to the river, I learned a lot from my close fishing buddies. I also spent a lot of time walking and exploring different spots. Q: What are your thoughts on guiding clients much older than you? A: Every client is different. Some only want to catch fish. Others want to learn how to fish the proper way. And some just want to have a drift boat to fish from. Whatever, I believe that if you are having a good time and learning something new then the trip is a success. Q: Your boat and all the poles and lures — did you have to buy them yourself? Roughly, what’s it cost upfront to have all the stuff to guide a drift boat on the Salmon River? A: All my stuff was bought on my own, but a lot we had in our family. As for equipment, I have three custom centerpin reels, two G Loomis float rods and a Raven float rod. I also have two wild water fly rod outfits. Overall with everything that I own, it’s worth about $4,000. Q: What kind of prep work do you have to put into a guiding trip? A: A lot. I’m constantly double-checking to make sure everything is working good, and that I have everything. Some nights I come home and reconstitute stuff, tie up eggs for a couple of hours then go right to bed at midnight only to get up at 4 a.m. to do it all over. Q: Do plan to go out in all kinds of weather? Even snow? A: The weather does not affect the trips unless I feel it is unsafe. I have been out on days where its goes from heavy rain to a white-out blizzard. With two propane heaters in the boat, weather usually doesn’t keep us off the river. Q: What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught on the Salmon River? A: My personal bests are an 18-pound steelhead, a 15-pound brown and a 37-pound chinook (king) salmon. Q: How many people do you take on your boat at a time? A: The drift boat will only take two, plus me. Q: What’s the funniest or strangest thing that’s happened to you so far while doing this? A : Losing my net during a winter trip when the water was high and the fishing was awesome. I had to reach over the boat and land them with my hands in the cold, 35-degree water. Q: How much do you charge? A: My prices are $250 for a full day (8-hour) drift boat trip for up to two people, and $250 for a two-person wade trip. It’s the same price for one or two anglers. I also honor a $50 discount for active or retired military. They served to keep us safe, so that’s the least I can do for them. Q: What do your friends think of you being a fishing guide? A: A lot of friends are jealous. ((Nick Firman, of Fayetteville, is a freshman at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., where he is studying biology. )) Need a guide? To reach Kenny Hemshrot call 571-5298 or email him at [email protected]. For a complete listing of Salmon River guides, see the Oswego County Tourism Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Take a picture of it, and send or email it to me so I can see what you're talking about. That's right. I'd like to see what's out there in regard to impressive, interesting or humorous outdoors-related tattoos (on hunters, fishermen, trappers, hikers, birders, kayakers, etc...) and the stories behind them. I'd like to hear from both men and women on this. Tell me about your tattoo and why you decided to do it in 200 words or less. Also, take a picture of it and send or email it so I can see what you're talking about. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling 470-6066. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It looks like it was close enough so could reach out and touch it. Aaron Hirschey photo Jacob Hirschey, of West Monroe, sent in this interesting photo taken by his brother, Aaron Hirschey, of Brantingham, of a barred owl that suddenly landed next to the brother in his tree stand while he was hunting recently in Lewis County (Northern Zone) for deer. That bird looks so close -- like you could almost reach out and grab it! Cool shot. For more on barred owls. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Anglers are also picking up walleye from shore during the late evening on Oneida Lake. CNY FISHING FORECAST Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO Still a good time to troll for rainbows and steelhead – salmon are still being picked up near the mouths of tributaries. SALMON RIVER Fishing continues to be tremendous. More salmon are coming up the river, followed by some runs of steelhead, along with a few browns. Now’s the time to be on this waterway. OSWEGO RIVER Water has gone up a little bit this week. Anglers continue to catch a little bit of everything — salmon, brown trout, steelhead. Best bets are egg sacks, egg sack imitations, wooly buggers, hot–n-tots and estaz flies. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island remains closed to vehicle traffic. ONEIDA LAKE The nighttime shore casting bite for walleyes is in full swing at this point. Casting from shore after dark with stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver usually works well. It may pay to use smaller baits as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous this year, but are smaller than they usually are this time of year and are running about 2½ to 3 inches. Smallmouth bass fishing has been harder as they are gorging on small gizzard shad as well. Perch bite has also been good, as anglers have been catching off shore, docks and in boats. CAYUGA LAKE The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant). With the rainy windy weather last weekend few anglers were out so there is little new fishing information to report. Mixed bags were being taken fishing down 50 to 70 feet over 75 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and a few rainbows were being taken on spoons or flashers & flies fished off downriggers, Dipsey divers, lead core and copper. Jigging with plastics is also working in 85 to 110 feet of water. Yellow perch fishing has picked up around Union Springs with perch hitting small minnows. SENECA LAKE Yellow perch fishing continues to be good at the south end of the lake for anglers fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. Good baits have been small minnows are small jigs tipped with night crawler. Lake trout are still being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished down 100 feet over 150 feet of water. Salmon are being taken 50 to 70 feet down. Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers, or casting large crankbaits are catching some northern pike around the lake. OWASCO LAKE Lake trout fishing on the north end continues to be hot or cold depending on the day. Anglers vertical jigging in 60 to 90 feet of water with plastics, or trolling 65 to 75 feet down over 115 to 125 feet of water with spoons are getting into lake trout. Bass fishing remains good around the lake, particularly for anglers using crayfish. Lots of yellow perch are also being caught on fathead minnows. OTISCO LAKE Largemouth bass continue to hit in and around the weed beds on the north end of the lake. A few tiger muskie are being taken on swimbaits and spinnerbaits by anglers casting near shore. SKANEATELES LAKE Trolling 55 to 60 feet down over 75 to 125 feet of water with small spoons is working for lake trout. Early in the day glow baits are working better, but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are still hitting along the shore for anglers fishing with tube baits, super flukes, drop-shot rigs, Senko worms and crayfish. Yellow perch fishing is starting to pick up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. SODUS BAY There are still reports of salmon in the bay. Salmon are also being taken at the mouth of the bay by anglers casting, fishing egg sacs or trolling. Largemouth bass fishing has been good with fish hitting spinnerbaits, topwaters and Senko style baits. Perch fishing remains slow in the bay. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Things have slowed down, due to weather conditions. Muskie fishing has picked up lately. Perch and crappie fishing has also gotten better, particularly around French Creek. Bass and northern pike anglers have been staying off the water recently, due to high winds. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Fishing slowly with dark -colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko style baits is also working for the bass. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It took the boy, with some help from his father, about 20 minutes to reel it in. Submitted photo Tanner Glavin, of Baldwinsville, caught this 35- inch, 25-pound, chinook salmon on Sept. 30, while on a charter boat fishing near the old steam plant at the mouth of the Oswego River. It took Tanner, with some help from his Dad, Tim Glavin, about 20 minutes to reel it in. Nice fish, Tanner! View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"It looked like a cow coming from the other end," said the hunter, who was up in his tree stand at the time. This is from the kfor.com Web site: RUSH SPRINGS, Okla. -- A Rush Springs man had quite a fright after he was confronted by a nearly 800-pound wild hog. It happened Monday morning when he was hunting on property west of Rush Springs. "We'd seen his tracks, but we'd never seen him," Winston Brown said. "I was sitting up in my tree stand waiting on the sun to come up." And that's when he saw it. "It looked like a cow coming from the other end," he said "It came up and the deer ran off." Read the full story and see video of news broadcast. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

This week's pages will feature a 19-year-old guide on the Salmon River and an overview and comments from hunters on the DEC's new 5-year deer management plan. John Berry/The Post-StandardKenny Hemshrot readies his driftboat at a launch site on the Salmon River.Here's the lineup for this week on The Post-Standard's Outdoors page. FRIDAY MAIN STORY - Q&A with Kenny Hemshrot, a 19-year, DEC-certified, Salmon River driftboat guide. One of the youngest, if not the youngest, up there now. COLUMN- Update on Honeywell's plans to open access by next spring to fishing areas along Nine Mile Creek and Onondaga Creek, plus some other bits and pieces. SUNDAY: MAIN STORY - An overview of the state's new 5-year Deer Management Plan, with highlights and reaction from local hunters. Click here for highlights and a link to the full report. I'd like to hear from readers on this. Email me by noon Thursday with your reactions at [email protected]. COLUMN - Still working on it. Open to suggestions on topics I should be writing about. THANKS: to the two members of this group who last week suggested I do updates on the Salmon River and something about pheasant releases. Both resulted in stories. COMING: - A story about Bob Roc, 84-year-old Oswego resident who each week travels to Fort Drum to teach fly tying and fly casting to wounded warriors. - A story about a guy in Jefferson County who has created a Facebook page entitled "The Treestand Chronicles," in which he regularly posts entries from ... you guessed it..his treestand. If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here. If you want to respond to me directly about what's in the following report, email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066. 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 caught it on a green salmon egg. Submitted photoTroy McMullen, of Oswego, holds a huge, 36-pound chinook salmon he landed recently in the Oswego River. The fish was caught on a green salmon egg and hook/sinker rig. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

He caught it on a minnow at Mosquito Point near Port Byron. Submitted photoBob Paige holds a 31-inch northern pike that he caught Oct 12 fishing with bass minnows from shore at Mosquito Point on the Seneca River near Port Byron. He wrote: "My wife ( Urai ) caught a smaller pike minutes earlier, only 25 inches. We live just 300 yards east of Mosquito Point, decided to try fishing from shore that day because we'd already taken our boat out of the Water for the season. "Guess we'll do quite a bit more 'shore fishing' this month." I can see why. Nice catch, Bob. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was 36 inches long and weighed 25 pounds. Submitted photoNick Stepien, of Syracuse, hoists at chinook (king) salmon that he caught recently while fishing the Black Hole on the Salmon River in Pulaski. The fish was caught on a dancing egg on 17-pound test line, using a bottom bouncing technique. It was 36 inches long and weighed 25 pounds, he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I'm heading up there this weekend for a couple of days of camping and fishing, and maybe some hunting. I can't wait. The talent of The Post-Standard's photographers never ceases to amaze me. Here is a 25-photo slide show taken by staffers during the past couple of weeks up in the Adirondacks. The scenery is absolutely breath-taking and there's several shots here that just take my breath away. If you've never been up there this time of year you're really missing out. I'm heading up there this weekend for a couple of days of camping fishing and maybe some hunting. I can't wait. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The DEC expects to begin rulemaking implementing a number of hunting-related aspects on the plan, including establishing a youth deer hunt and starting the Southern Zone bow season Oct. 1. Submitted photoTom Brennan, 14, of Camillus, proudly shows the 8-point buck he shot with a muzzleloader last fall while hunting with his father, Paul, in the Weedsport area.The following is a DEC press release: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that it has adopted a five-year deer management plan. The final plan, which has been revised based on public comment on a previously released draft version, is now available on the DEC Web site. “White-tailed deer are an important and valued natural resource for New Yorkers,” Commissioner Joe Martens said. “DEC’s new deer management plan provides strategic direction for our staff over the next five years and will help us focus our efforts where they can best meet the biological and social demands associated with deer. This plan emphasizes the importance of hunting for deer management, and we are particularly excited to create new opportunities for young deer hunters. "We are also cognizant of the significant ecological impacts associated with deer, and we are eager to more fully bring our knowledge of these impacts into the population management process,” he said. The plan describes six primary goals that encompass the current priorities for deer management and the values and issues expressed by the public: -Manage deer populations at levels that are appropriate for human and ecological concerns; - Promote and enhance deer hunting as an important recreational activity, tradition, and population management tool in New York; - Reduce negative impacts caused by deer; - Foster public understanding and communication about deer ecology, deer management, economic aspects and recreational opportunities; - Manage deer to promote healthy and sustainable forests and enhance habitat conservation efforts to benefit deer and other species; and - Ensure that the necessary resources are available to support sound management of white-tailed deer in New York. Public comment on the draft deer management plan was carefully reviewed by the Department, and several notable changes were made in the adopted plan, including: - Changing to a 5-year cycle for evaluating deer population objectives; - DEC removed the proposal to completely discontinue either-sex and antlerless-only tags; - DEC is committing to implementing a youth deer hunting opportunity. Details related to timing and structure of a youth hunt have been removed from the plan so as to allow continued discussion to identify the most appropriate option; and - DEC clarified that a special antlerless-only season for muzzleloader hunters will only occur as the 3rd phase of a multi-phase process, and only in (Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) where additional doe harvest is needed. DEC intends to begin implementing strategies of the deer plan immediately. While many strategies will take several years to develop, DEC expects to begin rulemaking to implement a number of hunting-related aspects of this plan prior to the 2012-13 hunting seasons, including: - Establishing a youth deer hunt; - Starting the Southern Zone bow season Oct. 1; - Allowing DMPs to be used during the bow and early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone; and - Expanding mandatory antler restrictions into 7 WMUs in southeastern New York. DEC strives to provide a deer management program that balances diverse public interests and values with the biological needs and ecological relationships of deer, for the benefit of New York’s white-tailed deer herd and the people of New York. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

"I think that it should also be noted that this proud little girl managed to catch this fish (legally, without “lifting”) on 8-pound test line and a 12-foot long noodle rod," the proud father said. <div id="asset-10153783" class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right">Submitted photo

He took the fish on fly rod, using a blue etaz fly in the Gargoyle hole. Submitted photoRuss Firman's first time on the Salmon River was a charm. Here, the 47-year-old Fayetteville resident holds a 16 pound, 36-inch steelhead he recently caught. He took the fish on fly rod, using a blue etaz fly in the Gargoyle hole. Nice fish! View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Among the catches were salmon, brown trout and steelhead. Submitted photoProud pop Jeff Wallace Sr., of the Town of Oswego, has had a ball fishing the Oswego River this fall with his sons, Jeff Wallace II, 16 and Joe Wallace, 12.These pictures tell the story. Submitted photoSubmitted photoSubmitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Another one is slated to be built next year. Man-made houses help the nesting of these insect-eating birds as European starlings and sparrows are heavily competing with these cavity-nesting birds. Submitted photoI recently met Chuck Gibson, of Lyons, at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah and talked to me about the sucess at the center of a purple martin house this past year -- and plans to build a second next year. Chuck wrote: "Hi Dave, I wish to announce that a second Purple Martin House will be installed at the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah NY. Due to the great sucess with the first house a second house is needed to help the colony grow. Last nesting season produced 66 new Purple Martins, an increace from 28 Purple Martins the previous year. "You may ask why do we provide houses for Purple Martins. "Since the introduction of European starlings and English sparrows to this country, all cavity nesting birds now have to compete with them for nest sites. With properly constructed martin houses which exclude starlings, purple martins now have suitable nest sites. Purple martins, the largest member of the swallow family can eat a great number of flying insects each year." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Jason Longbrake wonders if while out hunting Sunday morning, he became the hunted. I don't make this stuff up. The bird did a number on this Jackson, Mich. hunter's eye. Aaron Aupperlee, of the Jackson Citizen Patriot, wrote: Jason Longbrake wonders if while out hunting Sunday morning, he became the hunted. Sitting in his tree stand and waiting for the sun to rise, something slammed into his head. Whatever it was grabbed for his eye, Longbrake said. Moments later, he saw a screech owl sitting in a nearby tree. “I don’t know if it saw my eye as something it wanted,” he said Wednesday. Read the whole story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The event was part of a police program in which youngsters are exposed to hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities by officers and volunteers. Ellen M. Blalock / The Post-StandardPolice detective Paulene Eggers helps Aâdarrius âAJâ Parks, 12, put a pheasant into a pen Monday at the Jamesville Correctional Facility pheasant farm. Luis Rivera, 10, is next in line to put a bird in the pen.Ed Pugliese, volunteer manager at the Jamesville Correctional Facility pheasant farm, stood in front of about a dozen youngsters, busily clipping off the plastic blinders from the bird’s beaks before they got loaded into crates. About a dozen youngsters, all from inner-city Syracuse, stood in line before him, anxiously holding male and female birds. The blinders were put on months ago to prevent the birds from pecking each other. “Hold their feet and cradle them like you’re supposed to, or they’ll flap you with their wings,” cautioned Renee Clarke, whose husband, Jim, a retired Syracuse Police officer, had organized the Columbus Day outing. The event was part of the Syracuse Police Department’s community policing strategy in which youngsters are exposed to hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities by officers and volunteers. Ring-necked pheasants have been getting stocked on public land recently in preparation for this weekend’s pheasant hunting season opener in much of Central and Western New York. The season opened at sunrise Saturday. Pheasants are not native to this country and were originally brought here from China. Today, a small number reproduce in the wild in small areas in the western part of this state. The vast majority are raised for stocking in fields and woodlands at the DEC-run, Reynolds Pheasant Farm near Ithaca, with assistance from sportsmen’s groups and others. Monday morning at Jamesville, Shawnee Loneeagle, 11, said she liked pheasants because their feathers are “so soft.” Her brother, Strongbow, 7, said he enjoyed catching the birds. “My grandfather has a gun and he shoots birds — and we cook’em,” he said proudly. After 110 pheasants were captured and caged, they were driven to the Tioughnioga State Wildlife Management Area, near New Woodstock in Madison County. There, the birds and youngsters were transported by a tractor and several ATVs to several locations. At each spot, the cages were placed on the ground, opened and the birds flew out one after another. “Bye-bye,” said one little girl, waving. Afterward, the youngsters were taken to a barbecue at Onondaga County Judge Joseph Fahey’s home, which included rides on Fahey’s three mules. Clarke said he took a second group of youngsters and adults out Tuesday evening to release 100 more birds in the same area. “I hope people get out and enjoy hunting those birds,” he said. For more on the community policing program, see northsidepolice.com. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

If you get a deer this hunting season, there’s a way you can help disabled or sick veterans. The Camillus Elks Club is once again collecting raw deer hides from hunters. The hides will be cleaned and salted by members of the club and then sold to a tannery. Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals... If you get a deer this hunting season, there’s a way you can help disabled or sick veterans. The Camillus Elks Club is once again collecting raw deer hides from hunters. The hides will be cleaned and salted by members of the club and then sold to a tannery. Proceeds from the hides collected will be used to buy incidentals for the veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse. Donated hides may be dropped off at the lodge at 6117 Newport Road, Camillus. “Since the hides deteriorate rapidly, do this as soon as possible,” said Bob Maraio, a Camillus club member who is in charge of the effort. “Deterioration is more rapid if a plastic bag without holes is used,” he said. “We recommend a cardboard box. In any case, time is of the essence. Several hides are usually discarded each year as unacceptable by the tanner.” For more on this, call 672-3106. “Please help us help the vets,” Maraio said. Oneida Lake TV show The Backwoods Angler TV show visits Oneida Lake this week on the Versus/NBC Sports Network. In the show, host Blaine Mengel takes viewers to some of the best-known and some of the most hidden lakes, rivers and ponds in the Northeast. This week’s show, scheduled to air at 7:30 a.m. Monday, features walleye fishing on Oneida Lake, guided by Capt. Tony Buffa. Buffa said Thursday he went out with the TV crew for the show back in June 2010. “It was a decent day. We probably boated 12 walleyes or so and we caught bass while we were catching the walleyes,” he said, adding he, Mengel and Mengel’s fishing partner, Chris Gorsuch, were using bucktail jigs tipped with worms and blade baits. “Our best area that day was the Shackleton Shoals area near Buoy 121, and we also caught them at Sugar Loaf Bar and Big Isle Bar,” he said. Buffa said he and the two TV anglers also did a “bass fishing shoot” on the lake, which will air at a later date on Versus. “It was annihilation city. It was preseason and we caught and released a lot of bass that day,” Buffa said. He said previews of both shows are on his website at www.captaintonybuffafishingcharters.com, embedded on his home page. “They were fun people to fish with. Gorsuch is a fishing guide on the Susquehanna River and really knows his bass fishing. In fact, they are both excellent fisherman,” Buffa said. Got coyote? The Independent Fur Harvesters of Central New York is sponsoring a unique fundraiser early next year. It’s a wintry hunt, with the all proceeds going to Advanced Strategies, a non-profit group that offers hunting adventures for handicapped hunters. The Bob Evans Memorial Predator Hunt is set to begin at 5 p.m. Jan. 6, with the final weigh-in from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 8. at the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, Swift Road, Pompey. The entry fee is $20 per hunter, or $30 for a two-person team. Al LaFrance, president of the local trappers group, emphasized “there will be no hound hunting permitted” for this competition. The grand prize is $1,000 for most points accumulated by a hunter. Five points will be awarded for each coyote taken, three points for each fox and one point for a raccoon — with a $200 bonus for the heaviest coyote taken. There will also be door prizes and raffles. LaFrance added a state Department of Environmental Conservation staffer will be at the final weigh-in to examine the carcasses brought in by the hunters. For more information or an entry form, call LaFrance at 682-2050. Outdoor tales wanted Have a funny, eye-opening or lesson-teaching fall fishing or hunting tale you’d like to share? Write, call or email me about it. It’s not required, but it helps if you have pictures to go with it. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Hunters are anxious and excited to get out during the peak of fall foilage. Saturday marks the beginning of the bowhunting season for big game in the Southern Zone, and of the pheasant hunting season for much of this area as well. Add to all that, the muzzleloading season in the Northern Zone. Hunters I’ve talked to in recent days are both excited and anxious. For good reason. Central New York is on the verge of peak fall foliage and it’s a great time to be out in the woods and in the fields. In addition, this is the first year that 12 and 13 year olds will be out there hunting with bows for deer. Before going out, check your DEC hunting manual or the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov for more on specific seasons in areas, daily bag limits and other information. A quick reminder: crossbows may be used only during the regular firearms and late muzzleloader seasons. They can’t be used during the regular bow season. With more youngsters than usually getting out, I encourage parents to send in photos of their youngsters and their first deer or bird for publication on this page, or for on my Outdoors page on syracuse.com. I’d like to quickly remind readers, though, about the newspaper’s guidelines concerning submitted “trophy” photos. For years, there have been more submitted hunting and fishing pictures from readers than space can accommodate on this page. The sheer volume of submissions permits us to be pretty picky. In general, we go for tasteful, sharp, colorful, well-composed shots. Due to the constraints of space and the timeliness of the photo, some very good shots have often gone unused. Many of the also-rans are rejected for technical reasons — too fuzzy, too dark, too bright, small image, etc. Some are not chosen because of elements of poor taste, such as a tongue dangling from the deer’s mouth, or smears of blood visible on snow. However, I do post nearly every submitted photo on the Outdoors blog on syracuse.com. (See www.syracuse.com/outdoors). I must emphasize, though, that photos will be rejected for reasons of poor technical quality and tastelessness. I prefer photos to be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] and as a .jpeg attachment. Include the full name of everyone in the photo, where they live, age, when and where the trophy was harvested and any other pertinent information. Also, include a daytime phone number in case there are any questions. The same goes for submitted fish and wildlife photos. To all the hunters young and old, good luck and be safe. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Nighttime walleye bite from shore starting to pick up on Oneida Lake. CNY fishing forecast Bait stores (list and map). LAKE ONTARIO With most of the salmon entering the tributaries the lake fishing has really slowed down. You may still be able to get a few late salmon at the tributary mouths trolling with spoons, flashers & flies or J-plugs. SALMON RIVER Salmon are being taken throughout the river with good areas being the deeper pools, pocket water and riffle areas. Good baits are egg sacs (blue, pink and chartreuse mesh), streamers and egg imitating flies and plastics. Some steelhead have been caught down in the lower river, specifically the Douglaston Run. OSWEGO RIVER Last weekend was phenomenal, with lots of salmon being caught, in addition to some nice brown trout. Should be a lot of fish in the river through this weekend. Best bets are egg sacks, egg sack imitations and estaz flies. The bridge over Oswego Canal Lock 7 at Leto Island remains closed to vehicle traffic. ONEIDA LAKE Yellow perch fishing has been good with fish being taken on small crayfish or minnows in 10 to 15 feet of water around weed beds on fatheads. The nighttime shore casting bite is starting to pick up. Casting from shore after dark with stickbaits in black & silver and blue & silver usually works well for this fall walleye bite. It may pay to use smaller baits as young of the year gizzard shad are numerous this year, but are smaller than they usually are this time of year and are running about 2 ½ to 3 inches. Smallmouth bass fishing has been harder as they are gorging on small gizzard shad. CAYUGA LAKE The boat launch at Allen Treman State Park has been closed for the season in an effort to help prevent the spread of Hydrilla (an invasive aquatic plant). Mixed bags were being taken fishing down 50 to 70 feet over 75 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout, Atlantic salmon, brown trout and a few rainbows were being taken on spoons or flashers & flies fished off downriggers, Dipsey divers, lead core and copper. Jigging with plastics is also working in 85 to 110 feet of water. Yellow perch fishing has picked up around Union Springs with perch hitting small minnows. SENECA LAKE Yellow perch fishing has picked up on the south end of the lake for anglers fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. Good baits have been small minnows are small jigs tipped with night crawler. Lake trout are still being taken on spoons, and flashers & flies fished down 100 feet over 150 feet of water. Salmon are being taken 50 to 70 feet down. Anglers fishing large minnows under bobbers, or casting large crankbaits are catching some northern pike around the lake. OWASCO LAKE Lake trout fishing on the north end continues to be hot or cold depending on the day. Anglers vertical jigging in 60 to 90 feet of water with plastics, or trolling 65 to 75 feet down over 115 to 125 feet of water with spoons are getting into lake trout. Bass fishing remains good around the lake. Lots of yellow perch are also being caught on fathead minnows. OTISCO LAKE Largemouth bass continue to hit in and around the weed beds on the north end of the lake. A few tiger muskie are being taken on swimbaits and spinnerbaits by anglers casting near shore. SKANEATELES LAKE Trolling 55 to 60 feet down over 75 to 125 feet of water with small spoons is working for lake trout. Early in the day glow baits are working better, but as the sun gets higher switching to pearl, chartreuse, or silver has been better. Smallmouth bass and rock bass are still hitting along the shore for anglers fishing with tube baits, super flukes, drop-shot rigs, Senko worms and crayfish. Yellow perch fishing is starting to pick up and they are being taken on small minnows or crayfish. SODUS BAY There reports of salmon in the bay and salmon are also being taken at the mouth of the bay by anglers casting, fishing egg sacs or trolling. Largemouth bass fishing has been good with fish hitting spinnerbaits, topwaters, and Senko style baits. Perch fishing remains slow in the bay. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER Lots of bass are being taken in about 20 feet of water on live crayfish and bass minnows. Northern pike are being caught in shallow water (8 to 15 feet) near the weedbeds using crankbaits, spoons and large shiners. Walleyes are being taken by trolling during the day in 40-50 feet using deep diver lures. Just before dark, anglers are still-fishing, using bucktail jigs with nightcrawlers and Jigfish. Lots of perch also being taken. Muskie fishing remains slow at this point, but should get better as water cools. WHITNEY POINT RESERVOIR Fishing slowly with dark colored bucktail jigs or worm harnesses along drop-offs has been producing mixed bags of perch, bass and walleye. Casting with dark colored twister tails and Senko-style baits is also working for the bass. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog