Syracuse.com - Figura writing about bald eagles at Montezuma and getting ready for trout opener (March 28-31)

[HuntingNY-News]

I'm trying to get together Monday with three generations of anglers for the trout opener. Know anyone doing this? Call me no later than 5 p.m. Thursday at 470-6066, or email [email protected].

March is going by in a blink of an eye. The bald eagles at Montezuma are nesting and opening day of trout fishing season is Monday

Have several stories planned this week, including:

- A short story to go along with an eye-opening photo slide show of bald eagles at Montezuma taken by staff photographer Mike Greenlar.

On the trout fishing front:

- How to prepare for opening day (and not wait until the last minute)

- Update on the stocking scene

- Opening day weather-wise for the past 20 years (with an assist from meteorologist Dave Eichorn).

- Update on rules and regulations

I'm also looking for reader help on the following:

- I'm trying to get together opening day with three generations of anglers. Know any family groups like this going out? Get back to me this ASAP -- no later than 5 p.m. Thursday.

- Your best trout recipe. I'd like to give readers some suggestions of what to do with with their trout once they bring them home.

- Pictures and short stories about individuals (young and old, men and women) who catch their first trout on opening day. Send stories and photos to [email protected].

Questions? Call me at 470-6066.

Other "stuff" I'm working on:

- I've been interviewing local gun/ammo dealers along with sportsmen/gun enthusiasts about what's currently going out there recently concerning firearms and ammunition sales.

- I'm working on an update on the Governor's "gag order" on the DEC.

- Commercial gill net fishing for perch. There's still a few individuals who are licenced by the state to do this and I hope to get out with one of them soon.

- DEC study on wild turkeys

- The over-abundance of gizzard shad in Oneida Lake and what that means for this spring's walleye fishing.

- A proposal to turn Onondaga County into a rifle county for deer hunting.

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.

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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