Syracuse.com - Figura writing about trumpeter swans and local angler's experience at a national bass fishing championship (Nov. 2, 4)

[HuntingNY-News]

Have an interesting, lesson-learning or downright funny hunting tale? Send it to David Figura at [email protected]. Keep it to 300 words. Photos would help.

Dick Blume/The Post-StandardTrumpeter swans at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Here's what's up for this week's Outdoors pages in The Post-Standard.

FRIDAY:

Main piece: They once were hunted to near extinction in this country but they're coming back. I'm talking about trumpeter swans. Several are currently nesting at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.. and the reason for them being there might surprise you.

Column: The DEC and Project Healing Waters is teaming up to take a group of soldiers fishing on the Salmon River this weekend. Also, a disturbing report of a local poacher who shot and sawed the head off a deer -- leaving the rest of the animal to rot.

SUNDAY:

Main piece: An interview with Steven Pickard, of Volney, on his recent experience fishiing at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation National Championship that was held on Wheeler Lake in Alabama.

Column: A funny hunting tale from a reader, plus a wrapup of my recent New York OUtdoors Writers Fall Conference, where I fished the Niagara River for bass, lake trout and steelhead. It's an interesting, very productive, but different kind of fishery.

In coming weeks, I'd like to write about the following outdoors activities. If you know someone who does these activities, contact me ASAP:

-- Anyone who has arrowed a wild boar this hunting season.

-- Someone who still has a license to fish commercially for perch in Lake Ontario with gill nets.

-- Someone who's willing to talk about the history and current situation concerning the floating duck blinds at the end of Cayuga Lake that are put out every year.

- Someone who hunts rabbits and squirrels with the aid of falcons or hawks. (Actually, if you hunt squirrels or rabbits with a firearm I'd like to hear from you.)

- Anyone who would make a good candidate for The Post-Standard's Heroes of Conservation Award. Questions? See the previous story I wrote about this.

ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT?

The effectiveness of this report is two-fold. First it lets readers know what's coming up story-wise. It also allows readers a chance to affect coverage and provide sources for upcoming stories. Bottom line: Keep in touch and give input. You could make a difference as to what appears week to week on the outdoors page! Email me at [email protected] or call 470-6066.

If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here..

FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:

For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page, 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