Syracuse.com - New Howland's Island bridge will provide greatly improved access for birders and hunters alike

[HuntingNY-News]

The money was raised from federal excise taxes on hunting equipment, such as firearms and ammunition. This is a good example of hunters seeing a return on their money, said one Michael Wasilko, regional wildlife biologist for the DEC's Region 8.

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Whether you’re a birder or a hunter, access to land where you can enjoy your passion is everything.

That’s why completion earlier this month of a new, 110-foot-long wooden bridge over the Seneca River on the western side of Howland’s Island at the end of Carncross Road is a big deal. The $400,000 project will open substantially open up the state-owned, 3,500-acres in the town of Montezuma to outdoors enthusiasts of all types.

“One of the things to point out is that this project was paid for with federal money that came to the state as a result of the Pittman-Robertson Act,” said Michael Wasilco, regional wildlife biologist for Region 8 of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “The money was raised from federal excise taxes on hunting equipment, such as firearms and ammunition. This is a good example of hunters seeing a return on their money.”

Previously, the only access to Howland’s Island was from a big, iron, railroad bridge on the eastern side the island that spanned the Erie Canal, along with a crossing at the end Carncross Road that was closed to the public and occasionally got flooded out. Outdoors enthusiasts of all types parked their cars along the road on either side and either walk on to the island , or used mountain bikes or horses to get access.

With the new bridge, Wasilco said, individuals can drive their cars or trucks directly on to the island about three-quarters of a mile and park in a lot that fits 30 or more vehicles. From there, they will have closer access to a variety of trails that course through the island.

The island is significant part of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, which includes the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area.

Frank Moses, director of the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah, said Howland’s Island is “definitely one of the hot spots for birding in the whole Montezuma Wetlands Complex.” He explained it has a diversity of habitat such as large trees with significant canopy, wetlands, ponds and flowing water on either side.

“It’s a great breeding spot for song birds — particularly cerulean warblers. The island is great for wading birds, such as egrets and bitterns. And of course, you have all the ducks and other waterfowl migrating through each year,” he said.

Wasilco said the island is a magnet for local deer, squirrel and waterfowl hunters.

“Previously, duck hunters have had to carry in their decoys and canoes to get to their spots,” said Sarah Fleming, a regional biologist with Ducks Unlimited.

"This will provide undoubtedly provide more access for all of that.”

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog