Syracuse.com - Figura writing about netting sturgeon in Cross Lake and hunting squirrels with a Harris's hawk (Nov. 30, Dec. 2)

[HuntingNY-News]

The deadline for suggesting candidates for The Post-Standard's annual "Heroes of Conservation" awards is Dec. 7. For more, read this newsletter.

A 64-pound sturgeon that was caught and released last week on Cross Lake. USGS photo Wow. Can't believe Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror and Christmas will be here in a few weeks. Normally, this is a slow time of year for me. However, thanks to the readers of this newsletter and my PS Outdoors page on Facebook, I'm flush with ideas.

In fact this week's main features came from suggestions emailed me by readers. I can't thank you folks enough. Keep 'em coming!

Anyway, here's what's on tap for this week on the Outdoors pages of The Post-Standard:

Friday:

Main piece: U.S. Geological Survey researcher has concluded through her gill netting surveys that sturgeon in the NYS Canal system are wintering in Cross Lake. Who knew? (I was tipped off to this story last week by a reader of this newsletter, who happened to be at the lake when U.S.G.S. workers were pulling in their nets the day before Thanksgiving.)

Column: An interesting story about a particularly friendly partridge (ruffed grouse)..plus, what ever became of that wild boar shot a few weeks back in downtown Utica by city police?

Sunday:

Main: Something really unique.. again a story that came from a reader. I went out this week with Ken Aubin, a licensed falconer, to hunt squirrels along Skaneateles Creek with his Harris's hawk. Real cool stuff. There's also a video to go with this story.

Column: Considering several options.. still not decided yet..

Ken Aubin's wife, Melissa, gave me one of her leather gloves. Ken gave me a piece of meat to hold and Jade, his Harris's hawk, came down from a tree and landed on my wrist. Cool stuff. David Figura, The Post-Standard

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 or shot a wild boar this hunting season.

-- 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.

- 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