Syracuse.com - Figura writing about eliminating lampreys in Fish Creek and more on 'The Figura Challenge'

[HuntingNY-News]

Each Thursday, I plan to give an update on my outdoors blog -- summarizing readers' reactions, stories and photos in response to "The Figura Challenge."

June (and that means opening of bass fishing season) is coming on us fast. Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend.

I laid out the "The Figura Challenge" in Sunday's paper -- challenging readers to to check out 15 Central New York outdoors destinations during the summer. Several readers have already taken me up on it and I'm getting comments and pictures.

Each Thursday on this blog through the summer, I'll give an update on reactions, stories and photos submitted by readers about their travels to these destinations. If you didn't see the original story, check it out. This week's report will also contain several other places that readers have recommended. If you see your favorite spot missing from my list, send me a note to [email protected],

Here's what else I'm working on this week and the next:

- How a group of Canadian fishery biologists and techs are on Fish Creek this week (a tributary on Oneida Lake's eastern side) and plan to release lampricide in the water to get rid of spawning lampreys from the lake. Why the Canadians? It's a little complicated.

Exact, pre-determined amounts of lampricide are added to a stream to kill the lampreys and not affect other life in the stream.John Berry | [email protected] 

- Results of the National Lake Trout Derby last weekend on Seneca Lake. (A Skaneateles guy took the $5,000 grand prize with his 14.01-ounce lake trout)

- The free family fishing clinic being offered Saturday at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery

- An update on the DEC's new training class for environmental conservation officers and forest rangers taking place up the DEC's Salmon River facility.

- A precede story to the opening day of bass fishing season. (June 15)

- The Great Blue Heron rookie up at the Sterling Nature Center. It's something to see and should be prime for viewing in a few weeks.

FInally: The deadline for the newspaper's annual Wildlife Photography contest is soon. June 5 to be exact. Get those entries in! The best photos will run on Father's Day.

Two new occasional features:

1). "Keeping Watch" a weekly or bi-weekly report from the Region 7 DEC office noting the fional dispositions of recent tickets issued by local conservation officers. Only ones where the defendant has pleaded guilty or is found guilty will be listed.

2). "Ask the Outdoors Guy" a weekly posting noting a question or questions from readers about the outdoors. If I can't provide an answer, I'll find someone who will. Send your questions to d[email protected].

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