Syracuse.com - Figura seeks tales from deer hunting season; crossbow/wild boar/bear hunters (Dec. 9, 11)

[HuntingNY-News]

Have a suggestion for a story? Call Outdoors Editor David Figura at 470-6066 or email him at [email protected]. This week's offerings on the Outdoors Page in The Post-Standard include stories an update on DEC law enforcement efforts during this hunting season; a profile on a woman who tracks wounded deer for hunters with her dog.

We're getting to the tail end of the regular firearms season for deer in the Southern Zone. If the number of deer being brought into deer processors is any indication, there's a lot of deer being shot out there and lots of stories to tell.

Have a good/interesting/funny story from this year's firearms season? I'd like to hear it.

The best tale will win a “The Hunt, Trophy Showdown,” Wii game, which is Bass Pro Shops newest edition of computer hunting games. The kit includes the game and a 22-inch, firearm-shaped controller.

The authors of the second and third place stories will be given a choice of the nearly two dozen outdoor books on my desk.

If you have pictures, submit those too. The deadline for submitting a story is noon Dec. 15. Send them to me at [email protected]

Meanwhile, I'm also looking for:

- Any hunters who've taken a deer with a crossbow.

- Any hunters who've shot a wild boar this hunting season.

- Any hunters who've shot a bear in Central New York this season.

- Venison recipes

- And always, suggestions for stories on interesting people connected to the Outdoors.

Stephen Cannerelli/The Post-StandardPauline Eggers and her deer-tracking dog (with some coyote fur in its mouth).

Here's what's tentatively on tap for this week's Outdoors pages:

FRIDAY:

Main piece: Interview with Capt. Woody Erickson of the DEC about enforcement efforts by his staff in Region 7 during the current deer hunting season; plus, a sampling of tickets written (with names, included) from opening day on...

Column: Looking for interesting tales from current deer hunting season (see above note), plus a blurb about an upcoming raw fur auction being held by local trappers next weekend. Depending on space, I may comment on reports that the duck hunting season hasn't been so great this fall.. and reasons why.

SUNDAY

Main piece: Profile on Pauline Eggers, of Deer Search, a local woman who volunteers her time and her dog's talents to help retrieve wounded deer that hunters can't find.

Column: May get into the duck hunting situation.. mulling several other options at this point.

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! Sunday's piece on Pauline Eggers came from a reader who reads this weekly report!

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. Members of this group can respond to me directly by hitting reply after reading the email.

FIGURA ON FACEBOOK:

For those who are on Facebook, I also have a PS Outdoors page there, 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