The latest from ADKHunter…

Posted on by May 17, 2017

A Dry Weekend: After two weekends that weren’t washouts, but certainly had they’re share of rain, turkey hunters may get their wish for a dry weekend coming up. That’s good news if you’ve still got a gobbler tag in your pocket. I was out Saturday and Monday and both were productive days that saw a jake fall to a first-time turkey hunter and a big gobbler get dragged away by a jealous hen. It’s nice to have some action, especially on mountain birds in the Adirondacks. The leaves are coming on quickly, perhaps faster than most years and that is making for some challenging hunting. On a separate note, DEC has at last released the 2016 Deer Harvest stats. Check em’ out below. Good luck and hunt safe this weekend.

Mother’s Day: Looks like it’s going to be a wet Mother’s Day weekend. However, Saturday morning appears to be the time for a break and perhaps we’ll have only showers on Sunday. It’s been a quiet week but a few more gobblers have been removed from the population but there’s plenty more. Good luck this weekend, and get Mom a gobbler! 

Week 2: Turkey season is off to a wet and chilly start all over the Northeast, including the Adirondacks. While the colder temps certainly keep the bugs away it does raise some concern about the nesting conditions for hens. Also, foliation seems to be occurring a little earlier than usual so let’s hope our apple and oak trees don’t suffer too much damage. Turkeys, deer and all sorts of wildlife need those mast crops. A lot of birds were taken in and around the ADKs this weekend. Congrats to those and good luck to the rest. 

May 1, 2017 – Gobbler Down: It’s turkey season and many hunters are off to a good start, including myself as I was fortunate to tag an Adirondack gobbler on opening day. Several other hunters did as well. My first spot was quiet and that is something I’ve heard similar reports about from hunters after these first two days of the season. If that’s the case, try somewhere else and stick with it until later in the morning. That’s what paid off on this tom. There’s also been many reports of toms breeding hens so perhaps the gals will be heading the nests soon leaving the boys lonely, and vulnerable to our calling. Good luck and please  send us your youth turkey hunting photos, especially those from the Adirondacks. 

–Dan’l

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Hunting Reports from the 2016 season Continue reading →

Finally, the 2016 Deer Harvest Stats

Posted on by May 17, 2017

Hunters in New York State harvested an estimated 213,061 deer during the 2016-17 hunting seasons, an estimated five percent increase over 2015-16 levels, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

The 2016 deer take included 106,055 antlerless deer and 107,006 antlered bucks. Statewide, this represents a 7.5-percent increase in buck harvest from 2015, reflecting modest population growth following the losses experienced during the harsh winter of 2014-15. Antlerless harvest was similar to 2015 (a 2.6-percent increase), as managers sought increased antlerless harvests in certain parts of the state and reduced harvests in others.

DEC’s 2016 Deer Harvest Summary report (PDF 3.75 MB) provides a suite of tables, charts, and maps detailing the statewide deer harvest. .

Regionally, hunters in the Northern Zone took 24,674 deer, including 16,495 adult bucks. In the Southern Zone, hunters took 188,387 deer, including 90,511 adult bucks.

Last year, DEC kicked off a campaign to encourage hunters to voluntarily pass up shots at young bucks in an effort to grow the population of larger bucks across the state. In areas where hunters had the freedom to choose what type of buck to take, nearly half of the adult bucks taken this past year were 2.5 years or older. Yearling bucks were plentiful, a result of strong survival rates through the 2015-16 winter, yet many hunters voluntarily chose restraint.

DEC also confirmed that bucks of all ages across the state were in good condition, with larger antlers, more mass, and fewer spike-antlered bucks.

New York’s First-Time Camper Program

Posted on by May 7, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced that New York State will provide free First-Time Camper weekends throughout the summer in 2017. Families that have never camped before will have the opportunity to see if they enjoy sleeping under the stars before investing in their own gear by registering for a fully stocked campsite at select state campgrounds one weekend from July 7 through August 25, 2017.

Reservations are required and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting May 17, 2017 from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. by calling 518-474-6718. For more information on the First-time Camper Weekend Program, visit DEC’s website.

Campgrounds are available throughout the state to give all New Yorkers an opportunity to participate. Campground locations are listed and linked below:

  1. 7/7-7/9 – North South Lake (Catskills)
  2. 7/14-7/16 – Wellesley Island State Park (link leaves DEC website)
  3. 7/21-7/23 – Paradox Lake (Adirondacks)
  4. 7/28-7/30 – Schodack Island State Park (link leaves DEC website)
  5. 8/4-8/6 – Kenneth L Wilson (Catskills)
  6. 8/11-8/13 – Green Lakes State Park (link leaves DEC website)
  7. 8/18-8/20 – Hearthstone Point (Adirondacks)
  8. 8/25-8/27 – Hamlin Beach State Park (link leaves DEC website)

Continue reading →

DEC: Turkey Season Arrives

Posted on by April 20, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is opening spring turkey season on May 1 in upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County line, the agency announced today. DEC’s annual youth turkey hunting weekend is scheduled for April 22-23.

The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of upstate New York and Suffolk County. DEC encourages experienced hunters to take a novice hunter afield this spring, whether the novice is a young person or an adult getting into the sport for the first time.

“Hunting is an excellent way to connect people to the natural world,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Spending time afield with a new hunter is a chance to teach them about conservation, the environment, and wildlife. It’s the perfect opportunity to put novice hunters on the path to becoming safe and responsible hunters.”

DEC reports that the turkey population experienced reproductive success in the summer of 2015, and combined with relatively mild winters in 2015-16 and 2016-17, it is anticipated that the spring harvest will be up from last year and above the five-year average (about 20,000 birds). The estimated turkey harvest for spring 2016 was 18,400 birds, and nearly 6,000 junior hunters harvested an estimated 1,300 birds during the two-day youth hunt in 2016.

Annual Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is April 22-23: Important Details:

  • Hunters 12 to 15 years of age are eligible and must hold a hunting license and a turkey permit.
  • Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult over 21 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult over 18 years of age with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
  • The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, bow, or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt.
  • Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.
  • The youth turkey hunt is open in all of upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and across Suffolk County.
  • The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth’s regular spring season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken only in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary, beginning May 1.
  • Crossbows may only be used by hunters age 14 or older.
  • All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.

Continue reading →

DEC Finalizes Sacandaga Easement Plan

Posted on by April 20, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released the Final Sacandaga Block Conservation Easement Lands Recreation Management Plan (RMP) that identifies management initiatives to increase public access for recreational use on 6,147 acres of easement lands divided between seven tracts in the southern Adirondacks, Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today.

The complete Final Sacandaga Block Conservation Easement Lands RMP is available for viewing and downloading on DEC’s web site at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/107809.html.

          In June 2007, Finch, Pruyn and Company, Inc. sold 161,000 acres of land to The Nature Conservancy, which in turn sold the 92,035-acres to Upper Hudson Woodlands ATP and a Conservation Easement to the State of New York in March 2009. The Sacandaga Block Tracts consists of 6,147 acres of those lands in seven tracts:  Continue reading →

NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW IN NEW YORK

Posted on by April 20, 2017

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos  announced the 60 New York students who scored high enough in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) to compete in the national tournament this May. Students from participating schools and school districts across the state competed in the archery program in March.

“The National Archery in the Schools Program is growing in New York,” said Commissioner Seggos. “This cooperative effort between conservation agencies, school systems, and private organizations is a great way to bring the sport of archery to thousands of students across the state. Archery is one of the few sports where students of all ages and athletic abilities compete at the same level for top honors. Even with the expanded participation that we have experienced here in New York, we are encouraging more schools to join us in New York NASP.”

NASP is designed to improve participation in outdoor activities among students of all athletic abilities. DEC started this program in 2008 to introduce young people to archery, outdoors, and other shooting sports, including hunting. In New York, 320 schools from 167 school districts currently participate in the program and more than 34,000 students participated during the school year. NASP continues to grow at the national level with 2.4 million students and more than 14,400 schools in 47 states participating in the program. Continue reading →

Trout Unlimited Spring Planting Days

Posted on by April 20, 2017

Trout Unlimited Spring Planting Days in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. April 22 through May 19 Various locations throughout New York State

Tracy Brown, Trout Unlimited, tbrown@tu.org

Trout Unlimited is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Trees for Tribs program and other partners to plant more than 4,200 native trees and shrubs on priority coldwater stream throughout eastern New York this spring. The goal of the planting projects is to help improve water quality, stabilize the banks and provide shade. Local media are invited to attend the events, which will attract more than 100 volunteers.

Plantings are planned for the following dates and locations: Continue reading →

NYSOHOF to auction African Safari

Posted on by April 20, 2017

The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame will be auctioning off an African Safari at the Annual Induction Banquet on April 29, 2017 at the Rusty Rail Restaurant in Canastota. The 7 day safari is valued at over $6500.  It includes accommodations for one hunter and an accompanying observer.  The safari is provided by Hercules Safaris.

“Hercules Safaris is one of the most prestigious South African hunting agencies there is. They specialize in bow hunting and also offer rifle hunting safaris to persons from all corners of the world. Here is a basic layout of everything Hercules Safaris has to offer in terms of where to hunt, when, how and so forth. Welcome to Hercules Safaris, where life is measured by breathtaking moments.”

“Hunting: Our hunting safaris are aimed at those who have the desire to experience Africa to the full. We have no intention of offering you your hunt on a silver platter, instead we want you to earn your prize. Our accommodation is of a very high standard and we try to get you as comfortable as possible, relaxed and enjoying the wild African nightlife.”

NYSOHOF will accept written bids from those not able to attend the banquet.  The minimum bid accepted is $1,000.  Send a note to wowelko@juno.com for bid information.  More information on Hercules Safaris can be found at their website:  http://herculessafaris.com/

The safari includes: Continue reading →

Region 6: Seasonal Road Closures

Posted on by April 20, 2017

Effective April 12, 2017, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 6 is closing mud gates to trails and seasonal access roads on Forest Preserve, State Forest, and Conservation Easement Lands due to spring thaw. Motor vehicle use during the spring mud season will damage roads and result in road opening delays.  DEC will reopen the roads once any necessary maintenance is completed and the roads are dry enough to safely handle motor vehicle traffic. Region 6 is comprised of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Current list of gate closures: All state land gates in 6C Oneida and Herkimer counties; Haskell Road in the Black River Wild Forest; All gates in central portion of Black River Wild Forest; Loop Road at North Lake, Wolf Lake Landing Road at McKeever, and Mill Brook Road at Bear Creek trail head.