Syracuse.com - Figura writing about Montezuma Muckrace, problems at Skaneateles boat launch and J. Michael Kelly's new book

HuntingNY-News · September 4, 2013

I'm looking for someone who's really into the September Canada goose hunting season. Call me at 470-6066 or email [email protected])

Labor Day weekend has passed and the outdoors activities across Central New York are kicking into high gear.

Here's what I'm working on this week:

- There's been problems lately at the DEC-owned, but town of Skaneateles monitored boat launch. Last weekend the lot was so crowded that the front bumper of one guy's truck was nearly ripped off by a passing vehicle/trailer, folks are parking illegally along Route 41A because of lack of packing spaces and no one is telling boaters that the lot is full at the launch's entrance lately --- and several "fights" were reported. What gives?

- Competitive birding? No fooling. It's the 17th annual Montezuma Muckrace, a competition entailing 24 hours of straight birding, with teams vying to see who can record the greatest number of different birds during that period.

- My predecessor, J. Michael Kelly, has a new book, "Fishing the Finger Lakes." Mike taps into his years of experience and contacts to give readers not only numerous tips, but history and the fisheries biology facts about why the local lakes are they way they are. I learned a lot and so will you.

- Fall trout fishing on local inland streams. Don't put that fly rod away just yet. There's a few weeks ahead of fall fishing and the streams are great shape.

- The 50th annual fall gun show at the New York State Fairgrounds is set for the weekend of Sept. 14-15.

- The September Canada goose hunting season. (I'm looking for someone who's into this to take me out. Call me at 470-6066 or email me at [email protected])

Also:

- So, what's the deal with how the water level on Lake Ontario is regulated. A new plan dealing with that issue is quite controversial.

- More on the urban deer problem.. including how the Democratic mayoral candidates in Syracuse view the problem.

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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View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog