The latest from ADKHunter…

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Bear, Grouse Season: It’s hard to believe that hunting seasons are upon us, but they are. With black bear season opening in the Adirondacks on Saturday, Sept. 19 and grouse season opening the next day, the woods will start to get a little busier. Toss in some youth pheasant and water fowl hunts and you get the idea. If you partake in these seasons, we’d love to hear some reports and see a photo or two if you have some luck. And with archery season less than two weeks away our thoughts turn to deer. Let us know what your finding for mast crops, buck sign and whatever.

Meanwhile, New York Outdoor News is surely keeping me busy. Gathering, editing and publishing news items from the outdoor world is interesting beyond my imagination and in the professional world there’s been little time for anything else. As for the status of ADKHunter, we’re keeping things going for now and plan to going forward. There may be some delays in processing things such as photos, but we will do our best to keep up. 

-Dan’l 

ADKHunter’s Facebook page  •  Buck’s Blog in NY Outdoor News

2019: Rob Pawlikowski, of Rome: 7-pointer taken Nov. 24 in Ohio, Herkimer County.

Bear, grouse season about to begin

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Black bear hunting seasons opened Sept. 12 in the southeastern part of the state and begin Sept. 19 in the Adirondack region. Ruffed grouse season begins in the Northern Zone on Sept. 20. 

In northern New York, the early bear season runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 16 in WMUs 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6C, 6F, 6H, and 6J. Bowhunting season for bears also begins on Sept. 19 in the other Northern Zone units (WMUs 6A, 6G, 6K, and 6N). Muzzleloader season opens in all northern WMUs on Oct. 17, followed by the regular firearms season for bears on Oct. 24.

In southeastern New York, the early bear season runs from Sept. 12 to Sept. 27 in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R, and 4W. The early bowhunting season for bears will open in all of the Southern Zone on Oct. 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning Nov. 21. New this year, DEC has added WMU 4W to the early bear season in the Southern Zone. The bear population in 4W has been growing and additional bear harvest is necessary to meet the management objective of maintaining a moderate bear population density in the unit. To view all WMU locations and boundaries, visit DEC’s Wildlife Management Units.

During the early season, bear hunters may use a bow (with appropriate bowhunting eligibility), crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, or rifle (where allowed). Because of the likelihood of warm weather, bear hunters should be prepared to skin and cool harvested bears as soon as possible to protect the quality of the meat. Hunters may opt to skin and quarter the bear in the field, then pack out the meat in game bags to a waiting cooler of ice. From roasts, stews, burgers, and sausage to barbequed ribs, bear meat makes excellent table fare. Hunters may also consider rendering bear fat into grease or lard, which is a great oil for cooking or baking and can be used to waterproof leather or to lubricate patches for muzzleloading.

Hunters are required to report their bear harvest within seven days, and DEC also encourages hunters to submit a premolar tooth and the scaled-dressed weights of harvested bears. DEC uses teeth to determine the bear’s age and weight to monitor physical condition. This data helps DEC biologists monitor bear population dynamics and trends. Hunters who report their harvest and submit a premolar tooth from the bear are eligible to receive a commemorative NYS Black Bear Management Cooperator Patch.

DEC regulates black bear hunting to manage populations toward levels that are acceptable to the public. Information about black bear hunting in New York, including season dates regulations, is available on DEC’s website. Additionally, DEC’s booklet Hunting the Black Bear in New York (PDF, 800 KB), includes tips on bear hunting and proper care of harvested bears. 

Invasive Species Webinar for Sportsmen – Sept. 22

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Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species – Best Practices for Sportsmen & Sportswomen
Tuesday, September 22nd  5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
 Hosted ONLINE via Zoom, RSVP Required, Register here: http://adkinvasives.com/Events/Detail/52

Emerald Ash Borer (Photo DEC)The Adirondacks are an endless playground for hunters, campers, and boaters from around the world. Unfortunately though, North Country lakes, wetlands, and forests are at risk to the impacts of competitive invasive plants and animals. More often than not, pests are accidentally introduced to new areas on the boats, boots, tires, pets, and firewood of recreationalists. Join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) to learn how you can help prevent the spread of invasive species before you hit the trails this hunting season. With special guest speaker, Chris Lajewski, Montezuma Audubon Center Director, hear from another dedicated sportsman on best practices to help prevent the spread of invasive species and conserve lands and waters for generations to come.

Cornell Hunting and Fishing Sessions

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Warrensburg, NY – If you have taken the online NYSDEC Hunter Education course, and would like additional tips and recommendations for hunting, are a beginner hunter who would like some extra knowledge, or are interested in having the opportunity to ask NYSDEC Hunter Education Instructors some questions, then come and join us for a series of webinars, where topics such as firearm safety, hunting ethics, conservation, pre-hunt-planning, tips for scouting, wild game cooking tips, and more will be covered. Each interactive session will also have a Q and A session, where participants will be able to ask seasoned hunters and Hunter Education instructors questions. Session I will be held at 4:40 on Thursday, September 17, and Session II will be held at 4:30 on Thursday, September 24.To sign up for Session I, please register at this zoom link:    https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsd-qtpjMsGtDh9h-YOTKpVbGBh0OhEzrS

To sign up for Session II, please register at this zoom link:    
 https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsdOChqD8vHNwIhZf7CnIOL45mRG7dCy9-

For questions related to this webinar, please contact MB at: mem467@cornell.edu or at: 518-623-3291.

Warrensburg, NY – In these difficult financial times, many people are expanding their options for putting food on the table (or in the freezer).  One of the most abundant sources of food has been, and continues to be, in the lakes, ponds, and streams right around us. Sport fishing has long been a source of relaxation for many but, it may be time to start seeing it as a source of food. On September 16th, at 2:30pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension will be holding a second webinar on fishing and food security. This time we will focus on what each kind of fish might bite on, ways to preserve the fish so that you can actually stock up on food, and more! Please join us for what promises to be a light hearted webinar, packed with useful information.

Click on this link to register –  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAodu-rrzIqGdPu0J-bsRnXW-cyHOlue2EW.   

For more information contact Dan Carusone at 518-623-3291.

 

Canada Goose Season (Squirrel too) opens Sept. 1

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Canada goose hunting season opens Tuesday, Sept. 1, throughout most of the state. In addition, for the first time and for the 2020-2021 hunting season, DEC has incorporated the Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration into the DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS) licensing system.    

As the resident goose population has grown, season lengths and bag limits have been liberalized in an effort to reduce or stabilize their numbers. For more information on the differences between migratory and resident geese and how these birds are managed, read the article “Canada Geese in New York-Residents or Visitors?” in the August 2019, issue of DEC’s Conservationist magazine. 

 The September Canada goose season occurs in all goose hunting zones except the Western Long Island zone. All upstate areas open Sept. 1, and run through Sept. 25. Canada goose seasons in the Central and Eastern Long Island zones begin on the Tuesday following the Labor Day holiday (Sept. 8, 2020) and run through Sept. 30. In the Western Long Island zone, the season opens on Oct. 10. 

The September season includes liberal bag limits (eight to 15 birds per day, depending on zone), extended shooting hours, and other special regulations to maximize hunter success. Additional information about waterfowl hunting regulations, season dates, hunting area boundaries, and bag limits can be found on DEC’s website. 

License Requirements 

To participate in the September Canada goose hunting season, hunters must: 

  • Possess a 2020-2021 hunting license (now on sale at all license issuing agents and many town halls and sporting goods stores); 
  • Be registered for the 2020-2021 New York Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). See below for details; and 
All hunters 16 years of age or older must have a 2020-2021 federal duck stamp signed across the face of the stamp in ink.   

For a list of ways to purchase a hunting license, visit DEC’s website. To register with HIP visit DEC’s webpage.  

New HIP Registration Process 

New this year to the DECALS licensing system, the HIP registration links a hunter’s HIP number to their licensing profile and allows the hunter to log-in and retrieve their HIP number in the event it is misplaced. The transition will greatly improve data quality, which in turn will improve estimates of hunter participation and harvest.  

HIP is a federal legal requirement that began in 1991. Anyone who hunts migratory game birds, including woodcock, must have proof of participation whenever they go afield. Failure to carry proof is a violation equal to hunting without a license. HIP provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with a national registry of migratory game bird hunters from which they can select participants for harvest surveys. Only a small percentage of HIP participants will be selected for harvest surveys, which will be mailed to them by the USFWS. This information helps USFWS and DEC monitor the harvest of migratory game birds and is used to establish annual hunting regulations.   

To register for HIP, log-in to DEC’s online licensing website and complete the below steps. 

Those not already registered in the new online licensing system will first need to register: 

  • Choose the ‘sign up’ option and enter date of birth and DEC customer ID number (from a previous or current hunting license or backtag) or Driver’s License number; and 
  • Create a Username and Password.   
For new account holder and return customers, follow the steps below to register for HIP: 
  • Log in and navigate to the ‘Buy License’ line at the top of the web page; 
  • Those holding an existing hunting license (or those in the process of purchasing a new hunting license), will be given the option of ‘purchasing’ a HIP registration for $0; and 
  • When proceeding to checkout, customer will be prompted to answer a series of questions pertaining to their migratory game bird hunting activities last year. This includes the approximate number of each of the following birds harvested last season (woodcock, ducks, geese, brant, rails, snipe, coots, gallinule, and sea ducks [scoters, eiders, and long-tailed ducks]).   
Following the completed checkout process, the customer can access their HIP number by returning to their customer profile page and clicking on the ‘Game Harvest and HIP’ tab in the left-hand column and the dropdown arrow next to their HIP item to view their number, which proves participation in HIP. Hunters are required to carry this number with them in some form while migratory game bird hunting.   

Customers unable to register for HIP through DEC’s online system or encounter problems may contact the DECALS licensing hotline (1-866-933-2257) and talk to a representative to assist with the registration process.  

NYS 2020-21 HUNTING AND TRAPPING LICENSES GO ON SALE AUG. 10 

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2020-2021 season will go on sale Monday, August 10.  Licenses and permits can be purchased at any one of DEC’s license-issuing agents, by telephone at 866-933-2257, or online (leaves DEC website). The new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase. 

New York’s habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting or trapping license helps to support DEC’s important conservation projects and ensures the future of natural resources for generations to come. DEC also encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp support projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish-and-wildlife-related activities. This year’s Habitat & Access Stamp features a northern leopard frog. Last year’s Habitat & Access Stamp featuring a bull moose was the most popular stamp in DEC history, with more than 25,000 sold. 

Deer Management Permits (DMPs) 
DMPs are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1, 2020. DMPs are used to manage the deer herd and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period; hunters need not rush to apply. The 2020 chances of selection for a DMP in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through license issuing agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on Deer Management Permits and this fall’s Deer Season Forecast is available on DEC’s website. 

The new Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which provides an easy-to-read compendium of all pertinent rules and regulations, is available on the DEC Hunting Regulations webpage. A summary of hunting and trapping regulations is currently available at license issuing agents, and copies of the full hunting and trapping regulations guide will be available at license issuing agents beginning Sept. 1. 

 

Expanded Call Center Hours 
Beginning Aug. 10, the DEC Call Center is accessible from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 1. Regular call cener weekday hours will resume on Oct. 2. Continue reading →

Online Bowhunter Education Now Available

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos  announced that a new online bowhunter education certification course opens today, July 15, 2020. A bowhunter education course is required for all hunters who use a bow and arrow to hunt deer or bear.  All hunters must also complete a mandatory hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

To take the online course and receive a bowhunter education certificate, you must be a New York State resident. The cost of the course is $30. The course can be accessed at https://www.bowhunter-ed.com/newyork/. The online course will be available through August 31, 2020.

All in-person bowhunter education courses have been cancelled this year during the State’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The online course provides an opportunity for new archery hunters to get their required bowhunter education certificates before the fall hunting seasons begin. Since the April 15 launch of DEC’s new online hunter education course, more than 30,000 people have completed the course. Nearly 70 percent of those completing the online course are 21 or over, and almost 40 percent are women.

DEC’s Hunter Education Program is partnering with Kalkomey Enterprises, a company that specializes in hunter education, to offer online courses that can be completed in six to eight hours. The online course covers all the topics of the traditional in-person course including bow safety, tree stand safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and New York State hunting laws and regulations.

Students who successfully complete the online bowhunter education course and pass the final exam will receive their bowhunter education certificate. The course is available to individuals aged 11 years and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time.

State Acquires Several Parcels in/near North and Western Adirondacks

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced the acquisition of several parcels totaling 662 acres in St. Lawrence, Oneida, and Lewis counties to enhance public access to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and hunting, as well as to protect critical wetlands and forests in the region. The acquisition was made possible through cumulative investments of $666,800 from the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

St. Lawrence County Parcels : DEC worked with The Conservation Fund to purchase 293 acres in the town of Hopkinton on State Route 72, known as the Schisler Tract. This $227,000 acquisition using EPF funding creates opportunities in the Whiskey Flats State Forest for sustainable forestry and public recreation such as hunting, hiking, and fishing for species like brook trout in Rosenbarker Brook.

Also in the town of Clifton, DEC acquired the former site of a large log cabin and boat house on Dead Creek Flow built in the late 1880s and known as Tramps Retreat for $131,400. Tramps Retreat frequently hosted prominent figures of the day including Frederick Remington, Irving Bacheller, and Governor Roswell Flower.  The building was destroyed by fire in 1957. This 11-acre acquisition in a remote part of Cranberry Lake where development is limited supports efforts to preserve the area’s natural character. The parcel is bounded by Cranberry Lake Wild Forest in the Forest Preserve and includes 600 feet of frontage on the lake.

An additional 34-acre parcel purchased for $19,500 in the town of Madrid will consolidate Sodom State Forest. This area offers hunting and trapping opportunities and provides critical wetland protection.

Oneida County Parcel: The state’s acquisition of 324 acres in the town of Western for $272,500 connects Buck Hill and Clark Hill state forests. This beautiful natural area serves as an important connectivity corridor for wildlife movement between the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondacks. The public will have access to hiking trails that lead to beautiful vistas and hunting opportunities.

Lewis County Parcel: DEC invested $16,400 for a public access easement over the 2,800-foot-long Fall Brook Access Road in the town of Osceola. The easement provides public access to the west portion of the 30,000-acre East Branch Fish Creek easement lands from North Osceola Road over Fall Brook. The opportunities to fish for brook trout are abundant and this route also serves as the main snowmobile corridor between Oswego and Lewis counties and points east.

DEC launching new version of DECALS

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the launch of the State’s new system for the sale of fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses. The new DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS)includes user-friendly information to help users locate vendors, receive instant copies of a license, enter and view harvest information, and more. 

As the system’s new features are updated, additional functionality launching on DECALS will include: 

  • Events calendar with upcoming season dates, youth hunts, free fishing days and clinics, and more;
  • Full integration with DEC’s Hunter Education Program enabling users to more easily register for courses and automatically update certifications; and
  • Auto-renewal options for all annual licenses.

 

Users can access DECALS by phone and online. New York State’s 1,100 license issuing agents are expected to be up and running on the new DECALS system soon, so contact local agents before heading out to purchase licenses in person. Call DEC’s customer service hotline (866-933-2257) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to the DECALS website and buy licenses online.

Please note that previous DECALS logins will not work in the new system. To access current accounts, click on the ‘Sign Up’ link on the new DECALS website and use date of birth and DEC customer ID number or a driver’s license number to locate existing files and create a new login. Please call DEC’s customer service line at 866-933-2257 with any questions.

The new system is developed and supported by Kalkomey, a company that specializes in outdoor recreation and education web applications. Kalkomey currently provides hunter education classes for 46 states, including New York, as well as in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. DEC recently announced the success of Kalkomey’s online hunter and bowhunter safety courses for New York State, which allow new hunters to take classes online during the State’s response to COVID-19. Nearly 28,000 men, women, and children have taken the course to date, which was extended through Aug. 31, 2020.

Students who successfully complete the online courses and pass the final exam will receive their hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate. The courses are available to individuals 11 and older, but only those 12 or older may purchase a hunting license. Students can complete the courses from a computer, tablet, or smart phone at any time. Visit DEC’s Hunter Education Program page to learn more or to sign up.

To take and receive a hunter education certificate or bowhunter education certificate through the online course, participants must be New York State residents. The cost of the hunter education course is $19.95 and the cost for the bowhunter education course is $30. Both courses can be accessed at DEC’s website. The online courses will be available through Aug. 31, 2020.

Moose News – Summer 2020

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DEC Seeking Reports of Moose Sightings

(6/12) DEC is asking the public to report moose sightings as part of ongoing efforts to monitor moose distribution in New York. Most of New York’s moose live in the Adirondacks, but we also have moose in portions of eastern New York along the border with Vermont and Massachusetts. Occasionally, moose are seen in southeastern New York and the Catskills — these are generally single animals that have dispersed from other areas in New York, Connecticut or Massachusetts. In 2019, the public reported 447 moose observations to DEC.

Moose are the largest land mammal in the state. Bulls weigh from 600 to 1,200 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder. Cows weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds. Moose are primarily browsers, feeding on the leaves, twigs and buds of hardwood and softwood trees and shrubs. An adult moose eats 40 to 60 pounds of browse every day. Favored plant species include willows, birches, maples, balsam fir, viburnums, aspen, and mountain ash. In the summer, when most moose sightings occur, moose feed heavily on aquatic plants in ponds and wetlands, wading into the water and reaching beneath the surface for plants.

Many moose sightings also occur along roadways. Drive cautiously at dusk and dawn as moose can be hard to spot due to their dark color. If you see a moose, do not block traffic and remember to respect wildlife by keeping quiet and viewing from a distance.

Please report your moose observations using DEC’s online form, and share your moose encounters with us by emailing photos to wildlife@dec.ny.gov.