Syracuse.com - Figura writing about fishers, power kiting and biathlon event (Feb. 27- March 3)

[HuntingNY-News]

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** I'll be at the CNY RV-Camping show from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday afternoon at The Post-Standard table in the Exhibit Center building. Stop by and say hi!

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<span class="caption">Pat Coyne of Westvale is using a power kite with a sled he designed to glide over the ice on Onondaga Lake. Pat said speeds can approach 50 miles an hour.</span>

<span class="byline">David Lassman I [email protected]</span>

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The winter is flying by. It seems like every day brings changes in the weather.

<p>Things are also changing at The Post-Standard. It's an exciting time. </p>

<p>Several readers have emailed or called me lately, noting my outdoors blog no longer appears under the "sports" category on syracuse.com. That's been changed.</p>

<p>My column now appears under the "Living" category. You can either go there, or put <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/">my URL</a> (syracuse.com/outdoors) under your favorites and get to it that way. </p>

<p><br /><strong>Here's what Outdoors Intern Sarah Taddeo and myself are writing about this week:</strong></p>

<p>- A DEC study concerning fishers. Research is looking at just how many of the dark, large members of the weasal family are out there.</p>

<p>- A biathlon fundraiser Saturday up at Osceola -- which features an offering to novices who want to try the unique winter-time Olympic event that features cross country skiing and target shooting with a rifle.</p>

<p>- A local man gives "power kiting" lessons on the ice on Onondaga Lake recently. (story by Intern Sarah Taddeo).</p>

<p>- I'm going to Albany on the bus Thursday with local sportsmen and women who are protesting the governor's new gun laws. (I'm not the main reporter on the story, though. That's Teri Weaver.) </p>

<p>- If time allows, I'll attend an informational meeting Thursday night at the state fairgrounds concerning Gov. Cuomo's new proposal to simplify the state's outdoors sports licensing system, along with lowering several fees.</p>

<p><br />** I'll be at the CNY RV-Camping show from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday afternoon at The Post-Standard table in the Exhibit Center building. Stop by and say hi!</p>

<p><strong>Stories next week and beyond:</strong><br />- Apps used by outdoors enthusiasts (everyone from birders to bear hunters). Have any that work for you? Send me at note at [email protected].</p>

<p>- DEC study on wild turkeys</p>

<p>- Five thing you probably didn't know about screech owls.</p>

<p><strong>NEED SOME HELP:</strong>- I'd like to compile a list of where readers are spotting bald eagles days. Send you information to [email protected].</p>

<p>- Snow geese hunting. Anybody having any luck at this? I'd like to do a story.</p>

<p>strong>ANYTHING ELSE READERS OF THIS REPORT WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME WRITE ABOUT? </strong><br />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 <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 470-6066.</p>

<p><a href="http://update.syracuse.com/adv_syracuse/newsletters/syracuse/subscribe.htm">If you want to join The Post-Standard's Outdoors Group and get this emailed directly to you, subscribe here.</a>.</p>

<p><strong>FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:</strong><br />For those who are on Facebook, I also have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PostStandardOutdoors#!/PostStandardOutdoors#!/photo.php?fbid=3369108872206&set=a.1178365985003.2028364.1403751639&type=1&theater&notif_t=like">PS Outdoors page</a>, 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. </p>

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View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog