HuntingNY-News

There's salmon up and down the river -- and there's more fish to come. Watch video I was up the Salmon River Tuesday to check out the fishing during the annual fall spawning run of the chinook and coho salmon. Staff photographer John Berry shot this beautiful video that captured the scene. If you haven't been up there, it's worth checking out. There's salmon up and down the river, and there's more fish to come. For more on this, see Friday's Outdoors page in The Post-Standard. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

State police say the altercation happened in Lehman Township on Saturday. That's when 33-year-old Bethlehem resident Jason Frey says he shot a deer and tracked it to a property owned by 48-year-old Anthony Contino Sr. The following ran earlier this week on the Associated Press wire: BUSHKILL, Pa. (AP) — Two men have been hospitalized after a fight over a deer carcass in northeastern Pennsylvania. State police say the altercation happened in Lehman Township on Saturday. That's when 33-year-old Bethlehem resident Jason Frey says he shot a deer and tracked it to a property owned by 48-year-old Anthony Contino Sr. The Times-Tribune of Scranton reports authorities say Frey approached Contino, who told him the deer was his and that an associate had shot it earlier that day. Contino then told Frey to leave the property. A fight ensued involving the two men and others. Frey and another man, 57-year-old Arthur Frey, had to be taken to hospitals. They were reported in stable condition. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

In addition to allowing 12 to 13 year olds to hunt with bows for the first time, the state has made several other changes for the upcoming hunting seasons. Juniperimages The following is a DEC press release: The 2011-2012 Southern Zone bowhunting season and Northern Zone muzzleloader season for deer and bear begin at sunrise on Saturday, October 15. The Southern Zone includes most of upstate New York outside of the Northern Zone, except for Westchester County. The Northern Zone, generally includes the Adirondacks, the Tug Hill Plateau, the eastern Lake Ontario plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys “The early seasons are a great time to be in the woods,” said Commissioner Joe Martens. “With recent legislation now allowing 12-13 year olds to purchase a Junior Bowhunting license, we encourage adult hunters to share their passion, experience, and time with a junior hunter this year.” Hunters are reminded of several other changes for the upcoming hunting seasons: - Mandatory antler restrictions are in effect during bow and gun hunting seasons this year in a portion of Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 3A in the Catskills (part of Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster counties). The new law, established by the New York State Legislature, covers the portion of WMU 3A that lies south and west of State Route 28 and requires that bucks taken in this part of WMU 3A have at least one antler with 3 or more points that are at least 1 inch long. The law applies to all public and private lands and all hunting seasons in the affected portion of WMU 3A. Only hunters under the age of 17 are exempt and they may take any antlered deer with at least one antler measuring three or more inches in length. See the DEC Web site for more information about antler restrictions in New York. - Bear hunting has been expanded in eastern New York, from Westchester to Washington County, and is open during the same time periods as deer hunting. For specific bear hunting areas and season dates, visit the DEC Web site. - Crossbows may NOT be used during the early bowhunting or early muzzleloading seasons, but crossbows may be used during the regular firearms and late muzzleloader seasons. See Crossbow Hunting on the DEC Web site for more information and the Certificate of Qualification. The DEC encourages bowhunters to participate in the Bowhunter Sighting Log . The Bowhunter Sighting Log involves keeping a diary of your bowhunting activity and the number of animals seen. These data help DEC track deer and other wildlife populations. To participate, e-mail DEC at [email protected] (specify Bowhunter Sighting Log in the subject line) and provide name, address, hunter ID (back tag number), a list of the counties where you hunt, and whether or not you have participated in New York’s bowhunter log in any previous year. Additional information that may be of interest for hunters includes: - 2011 Deer Hunting Season Forecasts by wildlife management unit. - Hunting the Black Bear in New York (PDF booklet) - Deer and Bear Harvest Reports . - <a href="http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame">Subscribe to New York Big Game email to periodically receive information about deer and bear management in New York, and/or sign up for Field Notes, an email newsletter of the DEC Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I plan to write this week about youngsters stocking pheasants and the Salmon River fishing scene. Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardI hold a nice male pheasant at the Jamesville Correctional Facility before handing him over to be put in a carrying crate for stocking in the New Woodstock area.Here's the update on what's coming in this Friday's and Saturday's Outdoors pages: Friday: I tagged along Monday as Jim Clark, a retired Syracuse police officer, and other volunteers brought about a dozen inter-city kids to the pheasant farm at the Jamesville Correctional Facility. The youngsters helped catch, load and release birds on state land just outside of New Woodstock. It was part of the city's community policing program. Neat stuff. Column: With all the great photos from the above story, I might not write one...or just write a short one. Not sure at this point. Sunday: Traveled up to the Salmon River Tuesday. Weather was great, fishing was fantastic Loads of anglers.. Not bad for a waterway devastated by flooding earlier this year. All is forgiven. Column: Still considering what to write about.. possibly something about getting in shape (physically) for hunting season; or maybe a react to a story this week about high mercury levels in the Great Lakes fishery. Coming up: - Youngest Salmon River guide (held from previous week) - How the DEC determines doe permits for specific geographic areas - How to tell the age of a deer in the field by sight What else should I be writing about this time of year? (Last Sunday's story about Ducks Unlimited's involvement in Central New York was prompted by a reader of this report) 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

Capt. Mike Conroy reeled in a 17-pound steelie. Submitted photoCapt. Mike Conroy holds up a 17-pound steelhead he caught recently in 200 feet of water in Lake Ontario off Oswego. Conroy said he was fishing at the time with Tony Buffa, a fellow charter boat captain, on an "end of season captains outing." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Before the meeting, I was invited to grab a fly rod and check out the salmon schooled at the base of the dam that's in back of the clubhouse along the Little Salmon River. Submitted photoI battle a nice chinook as Kevin Kelsey offers encouragement.Members of the Syra-Canadian Fish and Game Club recently invited me up as a guest to one of meetings at their clubhouse along the Little Salmon River in Mexico. Before the meeting, I was invited to grab a fly rod and check out the salmon schooled at the base of the dam that's in back of the clubhouse. With Kevin Kelsey, manager of the Ed Weed hatchery in Vermont and a veteran Salmon River angler as my guide, I was able to hook into a nice chinoon (estimated 25 pounds) in no time. I fought the fish from shore for about 15 minutes. Man, it tiring. That fish would just not give up. Eventually, the fly snapped off and I lost it. However, it whet my appetite to return soon with my own fly rod to battle one of these powerful fish. The dinner was a delicious dish-to-pass event, with chili, sausages, salad, etc.. There were two speakers. Les Monostory, of Fayetteville, who talked about the pollution and cleanup efforts of Onondaga Lake. He also highlighted his involvement in helping to create the Central New York Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and its activities in helping to clean up local streams and involve school children in the process. Kelsey talked about his hatchery's stocking of northern Champlain with walleye and the great pike and bass fishery there. He also showed some cool videos of steelhead fishing along the main Salmon River It was a long ride home that evening to Skaneateles. I was thinking about how that salmon felt on my line the whole time.. The club's president, George Lee, of Camillus, told me afterward: "Next morning we all caught and released another 6 salmon from pool and caught and kept one 15-pound steelhead. Nice. See the club's home page. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The following is a news release from Scott Sincebaugh, an environmental conservation officer with the state Department of Environmental Conservation: Scott wrote: "Here are the pictures from the Youth Waterfowl hunt that we had at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge on Oct 8th. There were 11 kids that participated in the program. "They all attended the NYS waterfowl ID... Submitted photoThe following is a news release from Scott Sincebaugh, an environmental conservation officer with the state Department of Environmental Conservation: Scott wrote: "Here are the pictures from the Youth Waterfowl hunt that we had at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge on Oct 8th. There were 11 kids that participated in the program. "They all attended the NYS waterfowl ID course on Sept. 24th that allowed them the oppotunity to hunt the refuge. "On the day of the hunt, the kids met up at the hunter check station at 5:30am to get paired up with the 8 volunteer guides and 3 ECO's that would be taking them on the hunt. The guides donated their time, knowledge, boats, decoys and dogs to make the hunt one that the kids would never forget. "A total of 13 ducks were taken during the hunt with a mix of green and blue winged teal, pintails and mallards being taken. All of the kids had plenty of shooting opportunities and most of them went through the 15 shells that they are allowed to carry on the refuge. " Money was donated by the NY Conservation Officers Association, Cayuga and Seneca County Sportsmen's Federations, Friends of Montezuma and 2 other Seneca Co. Sportsmen's Club for the event. "The money was used to provide each youth hunter with a box of steel shot, a duck call and lanyard, a picture after the hunt and hip waders that several of the kids used during the hunt and that will be able to be used for future hunting and fishing programs." Submitted photo View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The six species of fish most contaminated with mercury in the region’s inland waters are smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout. Mark Weiner, this newspaper's Washington correspondent wrote an interesting story about mercury contamination in the Great Lakes. The most comprehensive study of mercury in the Great Lakes region found widespread contamination that harms fish and wildlife at a rate much greater than previously recognized, an international panel of scientists said today. The three-year project concluded that six of 15 fish species common to the region have average mercury concentrations that are unsafe for human or wildlife consumption. “We found very widespread contamination in this large area,” said Syracuse University scientist Charles T. Driscoll, a nationally recognized expert on mercury pollution who helped lead a team of more than 170 scientists involved in the study. The six species of fish most contaminated with mercury in the region’s inland waters are smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and lake trout, Driscoll said. Read the whole story. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

It was 12 feet, 6 inches long and weighed about 450 pounds. Submitted photoDave DeMarco, of Oneida Castle, caught this blue shark on Sept. 24. He wrote: "It was 12 feet, 6 inches long and weighed about 450 pounds. I caught it while fishing on Blue Water Charters, out of Green Harbor MA. "We were out about 20 miles in the Atlantic Ocean. Battled the shark for 2 1/2 hrs standing up with light tackle." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Due to such things as agriculture, urbanization, residential development and construction of roads, this state has seen a loss of about 60 percent of its original wetlands habitat. Dick Blume/The Post-StandardDucks Unlimited regional biologist Sarah Fleming says the group is now focusing on wetland and habitat conservation as a whole, not for the sole reason of how it benefits waterfowl. It’s hard to believe, but up until last year the 50 acres off South Butler Road in South Butler was used for farming.Earlier this week, Sarah Fleming, a regional biologist with Duck’s Unlimited, walked a raised berm overlooking a 13-acre wetlands that had filled in with a variety of plants, such as millet, smartweed and barnyard grasses. A number of ducks — mallards, blue and green-winged teals and wood ducks — could be seen, along with other birds. “All the plants growing in there right now are all good sources of waterfowl food,” she said. “Back in late June, this was all just dirt. It’s a great example of a wetland and how quickly one can be restored.” The project in southeast Wayne county is also a great example of what Ducks Unlimited can do when it partners with other agencies and groups, and when it taps into its strong base of volunteers who support its programs. The 50 acres — with one other artificially restored, wetland impoundment, and another field that’s been allowed to revert back to the wild — was purchased by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. It’s part of the state-owned, Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex, which is just north of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Due in large part to Ducks Unlimited’s involvement, the DEC was able to move ahead this summer on restoring the land, receiving strong support from members of the Geneva-based, Finger Lakes Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Last month, the complex was dedicated and a plaque was put in place this week, honoring John and Dan Warder, the founders of the local chapter. In addition, a youth duck hunt was held on the land Saturday, sponsored jointly by the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah and the DEC. During Wednesday’s walk on the property, Fleming talked about what Ducks Unlimited does, and why hunters and non-hunters alike should care. What’s the big deal with restoring wetlands? Due to such things as agriculture, urbanization, residential development and construction of roads, this state has seen a loss of about 60 percent of its original wetlands habitat. Wetlands provide habitat, food and resources for hundreds of species of wildlife, from birds to fish, to reptiles, to amphibians. And they provide social benefits for humans as well, such as improving local water quality, reducing floods, preventing soil erosion. How does Ducks Unlimited, which is a huge player on the national conservation scene, get things done? We have chapters in communities across the country, in addition to Mexico and Canada. In New York alone, we have nearly 16,000 dues-paying members and last year raised nearly $1.3 million for conservation efforts. However, we just don’t go around handing out money. Ultimately, our strength is working with partners, such as the DEC and other agencies and groups that may not have the time, ability or staff to do such things as write grants, or that volunteer help. We have our own engineering staff. A big strength is our track record in writing federal grant proposals, seeking money from sources such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the federal Environmental Protection Agency. We leverage those federal grants with our membership dollars, usually on a 4-1 basis. Thus, $25 in membership fees can get us $100 in federal grants. Isn’t it a given, though, that if Ducks Unlimited is involved that the land has to be opened up to hunting ducks? It is a fact that the people who are most active in wildlife conservation and restoration are hunters, or of a hunting orientation. That comes from a long history of hunters paying for the availability of land through federal and state license fees and taxes on their hunting equipment. However, the big misconception is that we are restoring wetlands simply to hunt waterfowl. That’s not true. Our group’s foundation originally was to conserve waterfowl populations so they would be available for future generations to hunt. We’re now focusing on wetland and habitat conservation as a whole, not for the sole reason of how it benefits waterfowl, but for how it benefits all wetlands wildlife species, as well as people. It seems like your group is involved in the (state-owned) Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex big-time, particularly since it’s in the path of all these migrating birds. We have done substantial work here back into the early 1990s. This project here now is all part of a $1 million grant we obtained through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that involves the restoration of 570 acres. This area has been identified as being significantly important to waterfowl and migrating bird populations and that’s why we’re focusing on it. We’re also heavily involved in projects along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, stretching from Buffalo, all the way to Henderson Harbor and to the St. Lawrence River. Do you hunt? Both my husband and I are avid hunters. I’ve hunted primarily turkey, deer and waterfowl. We just moved to Jordan, just 20 minutes away from work. It’s gorgeous there. We have never lived in an area where we’ve had the opportunity to hunt upland birds. We’re looking forward to it this fall. We have three hunting dogs — two Chesapeake Bay retrievers and a black lab. More on Ducks Unlimited - It has helped conserve 43,000 acres in New York including land in every country in Central New York, particularly in Wayne and Seneca counties. - 81 percent of every dollar donated to the group goes directly conservation efforts. - For more on D.U.’s local conservation efforts, email Sarah Fleming at [email protected] or the Ducks Unlimited Web site. More from Sarah Fleming: Fleming will be speaking from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Montezuma Audubon Center. She will will describe DU’s conservation program, highlighting projects in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex and across NY State. DU conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. The vision of DU is wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. DU will achieve this vision through diverse public and private partnerships to address the full range of factors that continue to erode waterfowl habitat across North America. Fee: $3/child; $5/adult; $15/family; FREE for Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Two nice shots of butterflies -- a mourning cloak and a monarch. Submitted photoA monarch butterflyReaders are seeing some beautiful butterflies lately. Pamela Smith, of Tully, wrote: "Saw this beautiful butterfly on my Dahlia plant in my front garden in Tully. Love the colors." The second photo was snapped by Tom Meier, a staff member at Baltimore Woods Nature Center, in Marcellus. It's a mourning cloak, which was spotted on the center's grounds. Another nice shot! Submitted photoA mourning cloak butterfly View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The Lake Ontario fishery, according to recent preliminary studies by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, is having another record-breaking year of catches, particularly in regard to chinook salmon and trout. A one-two punch of excessive nutrients and ravenous mussels is causing a sharp drop-off in Great Lakes fish populations and the worst outbreak of algae blooms in decades, the Associated Press reported this week. Runoff from farms, city parking lots and other sources is causing a flood of nutrients such as phosphorus in near-shore areas and bays, the National Wildlife Federation said in a report based on government and university studies. Meanwhile, deeper waters are experiencing the opposite problem: Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are gobbling too much food, causing fish higher up the chain to go hungry. Toxic algae blooms are on the rise — especially on Lake Erie, the shallowest and warmest of the lakes, where the problem was worse this summer than any time in recorded history, the report continued. One gigantic mass of toxic algae, up to 2 feet thick in some spots, stretched across most of Erie’s western basin. The blooms are believed to be causing the return of a “dead zone” in the lake’s central basin with so little oxygen that fish can’t survive. Scary stuff. So, what’s the story with algae blooms and invasive species in Lake Ontario, Oneida Lake and other inland waterways around Central New York? We seem to be doing OK, but officials continue to keep a close watch on the invasives and the impacts of agriculture and other development. Meanwhile, the Lake Ontario fishery, according to recent preliminary studies by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, is having another record-breaking year of catches, particularly in regard to chinook salmon and trout. Steve LaPan, a DEC staffer who is section head for Great Lakes Fisheries at Cape Vincent, said each Great Lake is unique. He said Lake Erie’s problems, for example, stem from its shallow, western end with its huge tributaries that flow through agricultural areas. “But once you get to the eastern, New York end of the lake, the water is deeper and colder and the nutrients (from the farms, etc.) are present to a much lesser degree,” he said. He pointed out that 85 percent of Lake Ontario’s water comes from Erie and the water quality in most aspects has improved in recent years and continues to get better. LaPan noted although Lake Ontario has its share of zebra and quagga mussels which feast on planketon, but another invasive species, round gobies are feeding on the mussels. Also, the other fish in the lake — particularly, the bass and walleyes, and most recently the trout and salmon — are feeding on the gobies, thus reconnecting the lake’s food chain. He said Lake Ontario is divided into two zones: the areas close to shore and the off-shore areas, which make up the bulk of the lake. He emphasized the main lake is having a phenomenal fishing year, but that algae blooms are present near shore around the tributaries and that officials need to continue making strides to deal with that. Randy Jackson, senior research biologist at Cornell’s Biological Field Station in Bridgeport, said Oneida Lake, despite having both zebra and quagga mussels, is likewise holding its own and its fishery remains healthy. “You’re seeing algae blooms like we’ve already had,” he said. “But that article is much more dramatic than what we’re seeing in Oneida.” Owasco Lake last year had problems with blue green algae blooms due in part to a relatively recent Asian clam infestation at the northern end of the lake. “Actually, this past summer was better than last year,” said Bruce Natalie, an environmental engineer with Cayuga County, crediting the cooler, rainy weather in August and September. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. The following is a press release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation: Motorists should be especially alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year, warns the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy sighting of a moose, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway. Moose are much larger and taller than deer. Their large body causes greater damage, and, when struck, their height often causes them to impact the windshield of a car or pickup truck, not just the front of the vehicle. In 2010, three moose vehicle accidents were reported in New York. Fortunately, there has not been a human fatality from an accident with a moose. Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, which are times of poor visibility. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height - which puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights. DEC advises motorists to take the following precautions to prevent moose vehicle collisions: - Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, especially during this time of year; - Reduce your speed, stay alert, and watch the roadsides; - Slow down when approaching moose standing near the roadside, as they may bolt at the last minute when a car comes closer, often running into the road; - Moose may travel in pairs or small groups, so if a moose is spotted crossing the road, be alert for others that may follow; - Make sure all vehicle occupants wear seatbelts and children are properly restrained in child safety seats; - Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when moose are spotted near the road; - Motorcyclists should be especially alert for moose; - If a moose does run in front of your vehicle, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a vehicle-vehicle collision or cause the vehicle to hit a fixed object such as a tree or pole; - If a moose is hit and killed by a vehicle, the motorist should not remove the animal. The Environmental Conservation Law allows a motorist to keep a moose, but only following an on-scene police investigation, and issuance of a permit to possess the dead moose. DEC continues to work with the New York State Department of Transportation to identify areas where moose are present along roads and have warning signs placed in those more populated areas. DEC estimates that New York has a population of 500-800 moose, but the moose population appears to be growing. Over the past couple of decades, the moose population has mainly increased through moose entering the state from Vermont and Canada. Now, the increase in population is mainly due to the birth of moose calves here in New York. For more information on moose in New York State, visit the DEC website . This also offers a link to a photo gallery of moose in New York. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The five-day tournament, held Sept. 24-30, pitted anglers against each other on a 35 mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River. A total of 100, two-person teams were expected. Only 56 showed. A total of 24 teams, from three counties, were denied visas. Courtesy of CARP Tournament SeriesVlastimil Fugas Vrsovsky,of Serbia, with the biggest mirror of the tournament, which weighed 23 lbs. 12 oz.The weather was great, the fish were big, the hosts were extremely accommodating from what I’ve heard — yet there was still a little carping last weekend at the Carp Angling World Championship along the St. Lawrence River. The reason? The field of two-angler teams in the CARP Tournament Series-run competition was reduced by nearly 25 percent as a result of U.S. embassies in the countries of Russia, Romania and the Ukraine denying the anglers their visas. A total of 24 teams out of an anticipated field of 100 no-showed because of visa problems, tournament officials said this week. Other teams dropped out for other reasons. Since the payout in the five-day tournament that ended Sept. 30 was dictated by the number of teams entered, the total prize money was reduced for the 56 teams that ultimately fished. The winner’s purse was initially advertised as $30,000 for the winning team, based on 100 teams entering. The winners — Ian Chillcott and Lee Jackson, of England — took home $16,800 instead. The two caught 122 fish weighing 1,857 pounds, 3 ounces. The total amount of payout for all categories was originally projected at $130,000. It was reduced to $70,500. Tournament spokeswoman Kathleen Kelly-Ori said invitations were sent out earlier in the year to the foreign competitors and that some contestants had secured flights and were unsuccessfully fighting to get their visas right up until two weeks before the tournament. Romania was particularly bad, Kelly-Ori said, adding she was promised 29 teams from that country. Only seven showed. David Moore, the tournament’s director, said nobody contacted him from the U.S. Department of State about any problems. He said that feedback from anglers from those three countries who came told him that many were questioned about being “flight risks.” “I wonder if you had some people sitting behind desks thinking that carp fishing was a joke,” Moore said. “These people (who were denied) were known anglers.” Eric Ames, of Constantia, who competed with partner Steve Ware, of Fayetteville, and finished 27th, said while registering he got behind an angler from Moscow, who told him he had a hard time getting out his country. He told Ames officials feared he would not return home. “He said he told them, ‘Listen, I’m 53, I have children here, I own a house ... Where am I going?’” Ames said. By late Thursday it was unclear exactly what agency actually caused all the problems with the visas — whether it was all on the U.S. side, or on the side of the anglers’ countries. Andy Laine, a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State, told Mark Weiner, The Post-Standard’s Washington correspondent, that “I’m told that there has been no policy change with respect to the issuance of visas for these countries. Visa cases are considered confidential under the Immigration and Nationality Act.” The Waddington-based tournament began Sept. 24. Anglers fished at assigned spots for 115 straight hours along 35 miles of the St. Lawrence River. It ended at 10 a.m. Sept. 30, with the awards ceremony at the nearby Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg. The featured guest was Ray Scott, who originated the catch-and-release oriented Bassmaster fishing tournament series. The second-place finishing team was Al St. Cyr and Jack Curry, of Austin, Texas, winning $14,000 for their 107 fish weighing 1,610 pounds and 9 ounces. Third place was Marcus Tackley and Jeff Skerratt, of England, who won $11,200 for their 93 fish weighing 1,397 pounds and 9 ounces. The tournament’s biggest fish was 39 pounds, 15 ounces, caught by the team of Pavel Hastik and Petr Mikulicka, of the Czech Republic. Courtesy of CARP Tournament SeriesChampions (left to right) Lee Jackson and Ian Chillcott of England with BASS founder Ray Scott.Courtesy of CARP Tournament SeriesPavel Hastik, of the Czech Republic, with the biggest fish of of the tournament, which weighed 39 pounds, 15 ounces.RESULTS AT A GLANCE: - Day #1 WALMART BIG FISH OF THE DAY 33.02 Peg 17 USA - Shawn Rafter & Jen Terriah, Lisbon NY - Day #2 WALMART BIG FISH OF THE DAY 32.14 Peg 15 CZECH REP - Pavel Hastik & Petr Mikulicka - Day #3 WALMART BIG FISH OF THE DAY 34.07 Peg 4 ENGLAND - Paul Musson & John Lilley - Day #4 WALMART BIG FISH OF THE DAY 39.15 Peg 15 CZECH REP – Pavel Hastik & Petr Mikulicka - Day #5 WALMART BIG FISH OF THE DAY 34.12 Peg 10 USA - Chris Jackson, PA & Tom Brooks, NC - $1500 BIG MIRROR OF THE CAWC (13 total caught) 23.12 Peg 48 SERBIA/SLOVAKIA ­ Vlastimil Fugas & Vanja Nikolin - $2500 BIG FOUR OF THE CAWC 132.01 Peg 15 CZECH REP - Pavel Hastik & Petr Mikulicka - $2500 BIG FISH OF THE CAWC 39.15 Peg 15 CZECH REP - Pavel Hastik & Petr Mikulicka - $7000 WINNER NATION¹S PRIZE 138 POINTS Tito’s Vodka Happy Hour Express (USA-TEXAS) Captain Jim Kirkman & Chad Edwards, Dallas TX; Al St. Cyr & Jack Curry, Austin TX; Paul Dinea & Ioan Iacob, Chicago IL (USA/Romania) - $5600 5th PLACE Peg 6 - 66 fish, 1351 lbs 11 oz. USA/ROMANIA ­ Paul Dinea & Iaon Iacob - $8400 4th PLACE Peg 55 ­ 94 fish, 1397 lbs 3 oz USA/ENGLAND ­ Stewart McKenzie & Pat Kerwin - $11200 3rd PLACE Peg 61 ­ 93 fish, 1397 lbs 9 oz ENGLAND ­ Marcus Tackley & Jeff Skerratt - $14000 2nd PLACE Peg 56 ­ 107 fish, 1610 lbs 9 oz USA ­ Al St. Cyr & Jack Curry - $16800 1st PLACE Peg 59 ­ 122 fish, 1857 lbs 3 oz CHAMPIONS!!! ENGLAND ­ Ian Chillcott & Lee Jackson - For complete results, see the CARP Tournament Series Web site. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Jack Duger, a lifetime hunter, has traveled to Alaska five times during the past two decades, hunting successfully for a variety of animals. However, a dall sheep and a grizzly bear has eluded him. Submitted photoDuger finally got his dall sheep, which traveled up and down four mountain sides before he finally shot it. Jack Duger finally shot a dall sheep in Alaska this past August. “Well, I can check that off my bucket list,” said the 70-year-old Plainville resident. Duger, a lifetime hunter, has traveled to Alaska five times during the past two decades, hunting successfully for brown bear on Kodiak Island along with black-tailed deer, moose, caribou and other game at other locations. However, a dall sheep and a grizzly bear has eluded him. “I went on a sheep hunt when I was 68 and didn’t get one,” he said. “I decided to wait until I was 70 to prove I could still do it.” “Doing it” in regard to hunting dall sheep involves hours upon hours of hiking and tracking the animals over miles of steep mountainous terrain — hardly an easy task. On Aug. 18, Duger arrived at the Stony River Lodge, a hunting camp some 200 miles west of Anchorage. “It’s a nice place. There’s a big, main lodge and cabins, and the owner lives there year-round,” he said. The next day, he flew to another small cabin alongside the Post River and then started hiking about 4 to 5 hours up the mountainside with a 40-pound backpack on, accompanied by a guide and an assistant. They set up camp with small tents. At that point, they spotted a caribou. Submitted photoDuger with his caribou.After tracking him for 3½ hours, Duger and the guide crept close enough to get a shot. Duger took him with his Weatherby 300 Winmag rifle. A shoulder mount was taken off the animal, and for the next two days, the guide and the assistant carted the meat down to the camp by the river to be flown back. “You can’t leave any meat out in the field. The rib cage, everything went back to the lodge,” he said. When they returned to their small campsite, the threesome discovered a wolverine had tore up things — clawing big holes in the main tent. “I had my clean underwear in there and now I have under shorts with claw marks from a wolverine,” he said. After picking up things and patching the tent, the three left at 7 a.m. the following morning. They hiked about 5 miles up the side of the mountain and set up an observation point. The guide went ahead and spotted a dall sheep. What followed was a cat-and-mouse game of trying to get close enough to get a shot. The sheep didn’t cooperate. “He ended up traveling up and down four different mountains and we lost him,” Duger said. The sheep ended up doubling back and finally Duger got close to take a shot. “Once I got him (it was about 5:30 p.m.), we caped him and took the meat and headed back toward our campsite, arriving at about 10:30 p.m.,” he said. The following morning, the three headed back down to the base camp by the river and flew back to the lodge. For the next two days, Duger flew out again to another site to hunt black and grizzly bear. He ended up bagging a 350-pound male black bear, but couldn’t cash in on a grizzly. Submitted photoThis black bear weighed 350 pounds.“The black bear squared at about 6 feet and had a white diamond on his chest. That was kind of different,” he said. He went back to the lodge, with two days remaining. “At that point, I was pretty wore out,” he said. “I gave up on getting a grizzly and they took me out salmon fishing.” The first time out, he caught his limit of silver salmon in about an hour. Duger said the fish were taken and donated to a nearby village, after which Duger returned to his fishing spot. “We caught and released fish the rest of the day. I was using a light spinning rod and threw red and white Daredevil lures, along with silver and gold colored spoons. They hit anything we threw at them,” he said, adding he also reeled in a number of northern pike. The trip ended Aug. 30. Duger has arranged for the capes and horns from the three animals to be shipped to Clingerman Taxidermy in North Rose, where three shoulder mounts will be prepared. All three will go in his game room at his house. Duger figures he has one more Alaskan hunting trip left in him to get a grizzly. And the torn undershorts that were ripped apart by the wolverine? “I’ll probably hang them up in the game room, too,” he said, laughing. One more thing. “Don’t wait until you’re 70 to hunt those sheep,” he said. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

Check the state Department of Environmental Conservation hunting guide for the specific geographic boundaries for the hunt. The pheasant youth weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, prior to the regular-season Oct. 15 opener in much of Central New York. Junior hunters (ages 12-15) must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. Only the junior hunter may carry a firearm. Check the state Department of Environmental Conservation hunting guide for the specific geographic boundaries for the hunt. A special youth hunt weekend for the northern zone, which includes parts of Oswego County, was held Sept. 24-25 on private land in Palermo. The Gene Blumer Memorial Youth Hunt, sponsored by the Conservation Alliance of New York, and co-sponsored by the Oswego County Federation of Sportmen’s Clubs, Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’ s Clubs and the Salmon River Strutters Chapter of the NWTF, saw 39 youngsters take to the field alongside adult mentors and their dogs. For pictures and more, got to Facebook and check out the Conservation Alliance's page. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

She caught it in a local lake on a piece of hotdog. Texas authorities warn it's a "no-no" to keep these aggressive, toothy fish from South America as pets. Somebody obviously released it into the local waterway. The following was on MSN.com "Texas is reminding folks that keeping piranhas as pets is a no-no. The warning this week comes after a 5-year-old girl on her first fishing expedition hooked a red-bellied piranha at a lake near Houston. "This red-bellied piranha was found in a lake near Houston, Texas. Lindsay Schutte used a hot dog to lure her unique prize. "When I took the hook out of the mouth and saw it had pretty big teeth I was concerned, but I'm in Texas so I don't know, there could be fish like that," Christi Schutte, Lindsay's mom and a recent transplant from California, told NBC affiliate KPRC-TV. Read the full story and see video interview. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44691672/ns/us_news-environment/t/piranhas-texas-girl-lands-one-first-fishing-outing/ View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The DEC is looking for data on changing wildlife populations and habitats of Eastern cottontails and ruffed grouse and American woodcooks The following is a DEC press release: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today encouraged hunters to participate in two surveys for popular game species during this fall’s hunting seasons. “Each fall New York’s dedicated small game hunters spend thousands of hours afield exploring the state’s landscapes in pursuit of game,” Martens said. “They’re uniquely positioned to assist DEC’s wildlife managers by providing data on changing wildlife populations and habitats. Citizen science efforts such as these are a great way for hunters to partner with DEC while enjoying their hunting heritage.” New England Cottontail Survey - The only native cottontail east of the Hudson River in New York is the New England cottontail; however, its populations are poorly understood. New England cottontails look nearly identical to Eastern cottontails and are only reliably identified by genetic testing or examining skull characteristics. Those that hunt rabbits in Rensselaer, Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, or Westchester counties, can submit the heads of rabbits harvested to help determine the distribution of New England cottontails. Those interested in participating, or for more information, please contact DEC by phone at 518-402-8870 or by e-mail at [email protected] (please type “NE Cottontail” in the subject line). Participating hunters will receive instructions and a postage-paid envelope they can use to submit skulls. Hunters will be asked to provide the location and description of the habitat where each rabbit was taken. Results of these efforts will be available after the close of the hunting season. Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Hunting Log - Ruffed grouse and American woodcock are widely distributed across New York State. These species prefer habitats in an early stage of succession such as young forests, shrublands, and old orchards and fields. As New York’s forests grow older, these preferred habitats are waning, resulting in a decline in grouse and woodcock numbers since the 1960s. This survey asks hunters to record their daily grouse and woodcock hunting activities in a “hunting log”, including the number of grouse and woodcock flushed and the number of hours hunted. Grouse and woodcock share many of the same habitats, so the information provided will help monitor populations of both of these great game birds as habitats change both locally and on a landscape scale. Those interested in participating can download a hunting log from the DEC website. Detailed instructions can be found with the form. Survey forms can also be obtained by calling (518) 402-8886 or by e-mailing [email protected] (please type “Grouse Log” in the subject line). Additional information that can be found on the DEC website includes: - New England Cottontail Survey - Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Log - Citizen Science Initiatives View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

I outline what I'm working on for this Friday and Sunday's papers and sources I'm seeking. I also ask: "What else should I be working on this time of year?" Stephen Cannerelli/The Post-StandardFrankly, from time to time I don't what I'm stepping into and depend on readers of this report to help me get my balance on unfamiliar topics.Ever wonder how I get the wide variety of story and column ideas for my Outdoors page in The Post-Standard each week? The main contributors are readers who are members of The Post-Standards Outdoors Group, with nearly 900 members. It’s a group of outdoors enthusiasts who vary in interests from birdering to bear hunting. Each week I send out an email that lists what I’m working on for Friday’s and Sunday’s paper, along with periodic requests for sources in those areas. I also ask group members each time: “What else should I be working on?” (Believe me, I've changed course more than once based on feedback I get.) Sometimes on the report I’ll float possible topics, or ask questions on issues I know little about, or sources I need to reach (such as “Does anyone know anyone know anyone who hunts deer with a handgun?” or “Is there anyone out there who plans to take their 12-year-old daughter out for opening day of bow season?” or “Has anyone fished the Oswego River lately? What gives with the new safety restrictions?” I cited those three questions because all three recently resulted in stories that members of the readers group suggested I do — and I did. Beginning this week, I’ll be putting my weekly report on Syracuse.com. Those who are members of the reader’s group will continue to get this report emailed to them as usual, though in a different format from what they’re use to. For those who are seeing this for the first time, there is no obligation to respond. 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. Here’s what’s on tap for this week: FRIDAY: Main story: An interview with an 18-year-old drift boat captain on the Salmon River – reportedly the youngest guide out there. Column: Update on the youth pheasant hunt weekend scene (which in many ares of our coverage area is set for this weekend); and a wrapup of last week’s f5-day, World Carp Fishing championhipship on the St. Lawrence River— an event at which 24 teams from three Eastern European counties were denied visas and were thus unable to compete in. Something about them being “flight risks.” (By the way, two guys from England won the whole thing.) SUNDAY: Main story: An interview with the regional biologist with Ducks Unlimited who answers, among other things: “What has DU done for CNY lately?” Column: An interview with a 70 year-old hunter who recently traveled to Alaska for 15 days and succeeded in bagging a bear, a caribou and a wild sheep.. “I can now check that off my bucket list,” he said. Coming: - A precede to the regular pheasant hunting season, which begins next weekend in most of CNY . Hope to get pictures of pheasants being stocked in local fields. - A story or column about how the DEC determines how many doe tags are allotted to an area. - A story or column about how you can determine a deer's age by observing it in the wild 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

"Mortality was minimal and I feel very impressive given the fact that over 1,700 fish were weighed during the three- day event," said Chris Bowes, senior tournament director. Jim Commentucci/The Post-StandardWinner Ish Monroe, of California, hoists some nice largemouth bass at the final weigh-in, held in the parking lot in front of Bass Pro Shops at the Fingerlakes Mall.The following was released by Chris Bowes, senior tournament director from B.A.S.S. concerning the Bassmaster Northern Open held recently on Oneida Lake: "B.A.S.S. had another successful event in New York on Oneida Lake. We really appreciate the support of the NYSDEC in our catch-and-release efforts. I'm proud to report that because of a cooperative effort between the anglers in the event and B.A.S.S. staff mortality was minimal and I feel very impressive given the fact that over 1700 fish were weighed during the three day event. A total of six bass were not released back into the fishery. "The daily totals were 4 on day one, two on day 2 and zero on the final competition day." View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

One amused patron yelled out that the beast better leave a good tip. A black bear recently made its way into a Edmonton, Canada pizza parlor. Patrons watched in delight as the bruin got its fill. In this YouTube video, the crowd can be heard laughing. One patron remarked, "You better give a good tip, bud." Read the full story, which was published in the Edmonton Journal. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The 14-pound brown hit a "big stick bait." Submitted photoJudd Youngs, 12, of Sherburne, holds up a lunker brown trout he caught in August while fishing on Cayuga Lake. The fish was hooked near Long Point and weighed 14-pounds. The boy was fishing at the time with his grandfather, Skip Christofferson and uncle, Doug Christofferson. The boy is an avid fisherman and hunter, according to the grandfather. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The bridge was closed to all traffic on Aug. 17, due to safety concerns over its structural condition. The closure has resulted in more anglers on the river's west side. Last week, while working on my story about problems on the Oswego River fishing scene, I contacted Gene Cilento, an official at the state Department of Transportation's Syracuse office. Ciento responded to my questions, but due to space considerations I did not report them all in the story, which ran in Sunday's edition of The Post-Standard.. The following are my questions about the closure of the bridge (which has resulted in more anglers this fall being crowded on the west side of the river), followed by Cilento's responses Just when did the state-owned bridge to Leto Island close, and what was the reason? The bridge was closed to all traffic on August 17, 2011 due to safety concerns over its structural condition. Why was the footpath to the island also closed? Pedestrian passage on the bridge itself is no longer allowed for safety concerns due to holes in the bridge deck. If you’re referring to secondary access via the walkway on top of the canal gates, the question should be referred to the NYS Canal Corporation. Did the salmon fishing season figure in at all by the state in its decision to make the closures? No. This was a public safety decision. How much would it take it fix the bridge and is there any timeline on those repairs being made? Any time this year? We’re currently evaluating our options but don’t expect it to re-open it this year. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The big problem is that restrictions set up to prevent drownings aren't being enforced.Despite the often-changing water conditions few, if any are wearing life vests. Dennis Nett/The Post-StandardAnglers fish in front of the Brookfield power station, the spot where two anglers were fishing last year when they drowned. Notice the 12-foot drop-off in front of the anglers (particularly on the bottom left side of the photo). Oswego Fire Chief Jeffrey McCrobie shakes his head at the anglers fishing the Oswego River for salmon this fall when they ignore the numerous signs, sirens and restricted areas. In particular, he points to those fishing in a dangerous stretch in front of Brookfield Renewable Power’s Varick hydroelectric plant, where there’s a shelf right next to a 12-foot drop-off. It’s where two fishermen were initially standing before they drowned last year. The river, due to periodic water releases from the utility’s dam and hydro plant, can rise quickly. Sirens go off, lights flash. Anglers are advised to leave the river immediately. The area in front of the hydro plant is clearly marked with buoys, cables and no-trespassing signs. A Brookfield employee at the hydro plant gets on a loudspeaker on the average of three to five times a day to tell anglers who venture into the area to leave. The anglers often just keep fishing. “We had meetings after meetings, where suggestions and safety precautions were discussed,” McCrobie said. “We came up with this “Wear It! Oswego” campaign, urging fishermen to wear life vests. We talked to hundreds of people, went to schools, posted signs. “Look out there. How many people are wearing life vests? Nobody is doing it. Somewhere along the line there has to be some self-responsibility of the people entering the water.” Each fall, the migration of the chinook and coho salmon from Lake Ontario up the lake’s tributaries like the Oswego and Salmon rivers draws anglers from throughout the Northeast and beyond, giving a seasonal economic boom to the communities along the waterways. <span class="adv-photo-large">Dennis Nett/The Post-StandardFast-rising waters can present problems for anglers who wade out on islands and rocks. /span> The Oswego River below the Varick dam and hydro plant supplies lots of excitement as anglers engage in what some call “combat fishing.” They line up in many places shoulder to shoulder, hoping to hook a 30-pound chinook. That excitement, though, turned to horror on Sept. 28, 2010, when Leonard M. Nichols, 45, of Wellsburg, and Clifford Luther, 52, of Horseheads, died after being swept away in the river’s fast-rising water. Last winter, the Brookfield staff, officials from the city of Oswego and Chamber of Commerce and other concerned individuals met in often-emotional meetings to come up with ways to make the river safer without hurting the fishing. The idea of requiring all anglers to wear life jackets was rejected. This spring, Brookfield and city staff got together with state Department of Environmental Conservation law enforcement officials to discuss making areas off-limits to fishing and the proper wording on signage. “One of the big issues was whether Brookfield had the legal standing to make a ‘no trespassing’ complaint,” said the DEC’s Capt. Woody Erickson. It did not, he said. The land where the anglers access the river from the west side and the river bottom in front of both the dam and the power plant is owned by the city of Oswego. “The city was not interested in filing complaints against fishermen,” Erickson said. Bottom line: There’s no enforcement . “We view it as a cautionary zone as opposed to an exclusionary zone,” said Capt. Mike Beckwith of the Oswego Police Department. “We hope the fishermen heed the caution and warning signs because it is a very dangerous place for them to be. Making matters worse, on Aug. 17 the state Department of Transportation announced that the bridge leading to nearby Leto Island has structural problems and would be closed. That shut off access to a popular fishing spot, and the result is more fishermen are concentrated on the western side of the river. In addition to the signs and restricted zones, Brookfield has put in depth poles at various spots on the river to provide visual confirmation of the water level. There are also distance markers along the Linear Park on the western side to help out-of-towners tell emergency workers exactly where they are and where the emergency is located. And there are new rescue ladders along the linear park and rescue platforms in front of Forebay Island. “We’re doing everything we can,” said Julie Smith-Galvin, a Brookfield spokeswoman. “We appreciate there’s good fishing there. We just want everyone to be safe.” She said that once the sirens go off, signaling a water release, “we give sufficient time for anglers to get out.” She was unable to give an exact time in minutes. “It depends on the operational and natural conditions of the river,” she said. Tuesday morning, Kevin Davis, a drift boat captain with “Catch the Drift” charters, who was anchored with two clients right in front of the plant, said, “You should have seen it yesterday. “There were 20 guys (in the restricted area). You can yell at these guys for 10 minutes. They don’t care.” Andy Bliss, a drift boat captain with “Chasing Tails Adventures,” who was anchored with his clients near Davis, said the power company went beyond its authority, particularly if the city and the state aren’t willing to enforce the restrictions. Both said that if nothing else, anglers should be kept away from the front of the hydro plant. Davis said each fall he rescues fishermen there. “I do it three, four, five times a year. Last year, this guy went in and he was about two feet under water when I grabbed him by the neck,” he said. “When somebody falls in the water again — and you know it’s going to happen — they’d just better hope that I’m here.” Dennis Nett/The Post-StandardAnglers often fish side by side in their quest to get salmon.The “Wear It! Oswego” campaign For specifics on the “Wear It! Oswego” campaign and safety tips while fishing on the Oswego River, see the Group's Facebook page. View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

The problem is the water in three of the four bays is simply too shallow to launch larger boats. An angler told me this week he was frustrated as he tried to launch his boat at one particular site on Oneida Lake and decided to go fish elsewhere. Les Monostory, of Fayetteville, drove his boat down to the state boat launch at South Shore, located between Lakeport and Bridgeport, on the lake’s southern side. The Onondaga County-run, Oneida Shores launch near Brewerton was busy that morning with Bassmaster boats and others, he said. The South Shore launch wasn’t much better, he said — particularly since the four-bay launch is largely inadequate for launching bigger craft like Monostory’s 16-footer or other larger boats. The problem, he said, is the launch hasn’t been tended to and the water in three of the four bays is simply too shallow. Seeing nearly a dozen boats lined up to use a single bay, Monostory said he gave up and drove to Skaneateles Lake to fish there instead. “I figured it would probably only get worse at the end of the day,” he said of the long line of boaters and trailers. Mike Cusano, of Clay, president of N.Y. B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation, said Oneida Shores with its multiple launch ramps and parking spaces is more than adequate for those anglers who want to fish that end of the lake. “But if you’re fishing the middle or eastern side, you’re probably going to want to use the South Shore launch,” he said, adding that maintenance of that launch has been an on-going problem because of a prevailing wind that blows there and piles and sand and silt in the launch area. “The launch does need to be maintained and dredged, probably twice a year,” he said. “Us sportsmen pay money (in our license fees) to have a facility that’s useable. If it’s not useable, it should be addressed.” Cusano suggested if a pier was built there, it would handle the wind situation, in addition to providing a new spot for anglers without boats to fish from. Dave Lemon, regional fisheries manager at the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Cortland office, said he recognizes there’s problems at the South Shore launch, but that the DEC’s operations staff is short-handed and dealing with other problems recently such as severe flooding across the state. “It’s an issue and we’ll try to address it,” he said. “But it’s not going to happen this fall.” View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog