The latest from ADKHunter…

Posted on by August 10, 2017

The Countdown begins: The early small game hunting seasons are just weeks away and with the days getting shorter, and in some cases a little cooler, our attention begins to turn to autumn months. First, if you are new to hunting and need to get your hunter, bowhunter, or trapper ed course, get going on it now. Meanwhile, it’s time to start shooting the bows, shotguns and rifles for the sake of practice. Many hunters have already placed trail cameras as well as treestands. This can and should be a very busy time of year for a serious deer hunter.

We’re getting reports of several deer sightings, including some good bucks. These are from trail cameras and actually sightings, including my own. I’m also happy to report more wild turkey sightings as summer has gone on, including hens with poults. This is certainly encouraging compared to earlier observations. Mast crops, too are doing well and with hunters reporting both acorn and beechnut crops in parts of the Adirondacks. Apples are really starting to get going. Deer at this time of year, should not be going hungry.

Soon enough we’ll be taking to the woods. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer as it will be gone before you know it. Although, for most of us, that’s just fine! 

Here’s a shot of bull moose taken July 10, 2017 at Cedar River Flow
by Dan Ladd of ADKHunter.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, here’s a couple of late arrivals from the 2016 deer season

2016: John Hammill of the Weller Mountain Club with his 185-pound 8-pointer

Daniel St. Andrews, age 15, of Glens Falls with his first buck taken during the 2016 youth deer hunting weekend.

PS: Don’t forget our Facebook page 

2017 Spring Turkey Season

Continue reading →

Sign up now for Hunter Education

Posted on by August 10, 2017

Hunting and Trapping licenses went on sale on Aug. 1 and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos reminds all new hunters and trappers planning to go afield this season that they must first complete a mandatory hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education course before obtaining the appropriate sporting license or hunting privilege. 

DEC’s online registration system makes it easy to view a list of all available courses with the student’s proximity to course locations. Students can register from any device – smartphone, tablet or computer – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Courses are added continuously throughout the year, so those interested should regularly check the on-line system to find a local course. To locate a nearby hunter or trapper education course, visit DEC’s website or contact a local DEC office for assistance. Continue reading →

DEC’s plan to fight CWD

Posted on by August 10, 2017

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the release of a draft New York State Interagency CWD Risk Minimization Plan for public comment.  The plan describes proposed regulatory changes and actions that DEC will take to minimize the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) entering or spreading in New York and was designed to protect both wild white-tailed deer and moose, as well as captive cervids including deer and elk held at enclosed facilities.

The draft plan is available for public review on the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html). 

The proposed plan would streamline operations between DEC and the State Department of Agriculture and strengthen the state’s regulations to prevent introduction of CWD. Some examples of the proposed changes include:

  • Prohibit the importation of certain parts from any CWD-susceptible cervid taken outside of New York.  Require that these animals be deboned or quartered and only the meat, raw hide or cape, and cleaned body parts, such as skull cap, antlers, jaws, and teeth, or finished taxidermy mounts be allowed for import into the state.
  • Prohibit the retail sale, possession, use, and distribution of deer or elk urine and any products from CWD-susceptible animals that may contain prions, including glands, or other excreted material while allowing New York captive cervid facilities to continue to export  deer urine outside of New York State.
  • Maintain and reinforce the prohibition on the feeding of wild deer and moose in New York State.
  • Provide DEC Division of Law Enforcement the necessary authority to enforce Department of Agriculture and Market’s CWD regulations.
  • Explore possible penalties or charges to defray costs associated with the removal of escaped cervids from the environment or the response to disease outbreaks.
  • Require all taxidermists and deer processors (people who butcher deer for hire) to dispose of cervid waste and waste byproducts in compliance with 6 NYCRR Part 360, such as in a municipal landfill.
  • Promotion of improved fencing methods for captive cervids to further prevent contact with wild deer or moose.
  • Partner with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets to enhance captive cervid testing while continuing DEC’s rigorous surveillance testing in hunter-harvested deer.
  • Improve record keeping and data sharing between departments through joint inspections of captive cervid facilities, electronic reporting, and animal marking.
  • Improve handling requirements, record keeping, and disease testing of wild white-tailed deer temporarily held in captivity for wildlife rehabilitation.
  • Develop a communication plan and strategy to re-engage stakeholders, including captive cervid owners and the public, in CWD risk minimization measures and updates on CWD research.

Continue reading →

Meacham Lake Campground, boat launch improvements

Posted on by August 10, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced improvements to the Meacham Lake Campground in the Adirondack town of Duane, Franklin County, under the State’s Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers with nature. The improvements, supported by a $1.2 million state investment, include a new accessible boat launch on the eastern shore of Meacham Lake, a parking area, and green infrastructure features.

The boat launch project includes a concrete ramp with floating docks designed for use by people with disabilities; 21 parking spaces for vehicles and boat trailers – including one parking space reserved for people with disabilities; an information kiosk; and landscaping with native plants. The parking lot includes gravel pretreatment filters, a bio retention area and an underground infiltration gallery to manage stormwater and protect the water quality of the lake. The roadway through the campground to the boat launch was repaved.  Continue reading →

Restricted R6 WMA’s open in late August

Posted on by August 10, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the agency is opening several otherwise restricted Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to the public in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties from Saturday, August 12, through Sunday, August 27, 2017.

Portions of these WMAs are marked as “Refuge” or “Wetlands Restricted Area” to allow waterfowl and other listed species to breed and raise young without interference from people.

During the 16-day period, Upper and Lower Lakes and Wilson Hill WMAs in St. Lawrence County, including their wetland restricted and refuge areas, will be open to visitors each day from sunrise to sunset. Continue reading →

Youth Hunter Education Challenge

Posted on by July 17, 2017

Johnsburg’s Jr. Outdoor Club will be hosting their first annual Y.H.E.C. at the Johnsburg Fish and Game Club on Saturday, August 19, 2017.  Please register by Aug. 1, 2017

Y.H.E.C stands for Youth Hunter Education Challenge. There are 8 events in which youth will compete in a 1 day competition. The events are:  rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, archery, wildlife identification, hunter responsibility, hunter safety and orienteering.

Y.H.E.C was started in 1985 by the NRA to further our youth’s knowledge on hunting and outdoor skills, and  it is considered one of the most comprehensive programs of its type in North America. More than 1.2 million youth, from 33 states and Canadian provinces, have participated in the program since it began in 1985.

Please email Erika Patton epatton516@outlook.com, or visit yhec.nra.org for additional information.

2017-2018 federal duck stamps on sale now

Posted on by July 17, 2017

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – June 27, 2017 – The new 2017-2018 federal duck stamp is on sale now. The stamps, which cost $25, are valid from July 1 through June 30, 2018. Purchased by millions of waterfowl hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and collectors every year, duck stamps help raise money to purchase and protect wetlands for ducks, geese and other wildlife species.

“Duck stamps are one of the traditional ways hunters and others invest in wetland and waterfowl conservation,” said DU CEO Dale Hall. “We encourage everyone, whether they hunt waterfowl or not, to buy one or more duck stamps to help conserve our precious wetland resources. The federal duck stamp is a powerful tool for conservation in the United States. Every year the program raises more than $25 million used to purchase wetlands in the National Wildlife Refuge System. These habitats benefit waterfowl and countless other species of wildlife. It’s an incredibly successful program and one we should be very proud of.” Continue reading →

DEC REVISING PERMIT REQUIREMENT FOR BOBCAT HUNTING AND TRAPPING

Posted on by July 17, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the agency is adopting a regulatory proposal to revise the special permit requirement for bobcat hunting and trapping. Upon completion of the Bobcat Management Plan in 2012, regulations were adopted to establish a hunting and trapping season in select Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in central and western New York, referred to as the “Harvest Expansion Area” (HEA).

In areas open to bobcat hunting and trapping, individuals are required to have a license and to have the animal “pelt sealed” (i.e., have a plastic tag affixed by DEC staff) after harvest. However, to hunt or trap bobcats in the HEA, licensed hunters and trappers were also required to obtain a free “special permit” from their regional wildlife office.

This requirement allowed biologists to collect information on participation, harvest, harvest pressure (e.g., number of days afield, number of traps set) through a diary or “log,” and to collect biological samples. This robust data set allows biologists to assess the status of the bobcat population and evaluate harvest. After three seasons of data collection, sufficient information on harvest pressure and take has been collected and the special permit is no longer needed. Hunters and trappers who pursue bobcats in the HEA are still required to have a hunting or trapping license and to have the animal pelt sealed.

Bobcat hunting and trapping regulations can be viewed on DEC’s website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45559.html and http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/355.html) and the Notice of Adoption for the revised regulation can be viewed in the New York State Register (https://www.dos.ny.gov/info/register/2017.html). 

 

3rd Annual King George Fishing Tournament on Lake George

Posted on by July 17, 2017

Lake George’s third annual King George Fishing Derby kicks off on September 16 with new dates and new features designed to attract more anglers to the “Queen of America’s lakes”.

The annual derby was previously held during the lake’s busy summer season and the new dates are meant to alleviate problems with recreational boaters and better fishing, especially for bass.

This year’s Derby includes a new prize category for landlocked salmon, along with large and smallmouth bass and lake trout in the Senior Division. There will be no salmon category in the Junior Division that is under 16 years of age.

Registration for the 2017 Derby will be at the American Legion Post on Route 9L and includes free refreshments. Entry fee is $50.00 for adults and $30 for juniors. All entrants receive a free t-shirt and admission to the awards ceremony.

Fishing begins at 6am-6pm on Saturday and 6am-2pm Sunday, Sept. 17. Registration is 4pm-8pm Friday. Boats may launch at any site with weigh stations available at the Hague boat dock, Roger’s Memorial in Bolton Landing and the Village’s public docks in Lake George.

Over $15,000 in prize money goes to the winners with juniors receiving a variety of merchandise prizes.

Entries are available online at www.kinggeorgefishingderby.com and a local fish & bait shops.

DEC Announces 2017-2018 Waterfowl Season Dates

Posted on by June 5, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released information about the upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons, including season dates and updated regulations. 

“New York takes great pride in using the best available science and input from hunters to establish the state’s annual waterfowl management seasons to provide hunting opportunities across the state from September to April,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “I applaud the work of this team of volunteers and DEC biologists to establish these seasons in order to maximize opportunities for hunters and grow this economically important recreation.”

Task force members are charged with developing optimal seasons by balancing the competing interests of hunters pursuing New York’s diverse waterfowl species. Season dates and regulations can be viewed in full on DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28175.html. Waterfowl hunting zone descriptions and boundaries are available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html.

Youth Hunting Opportunities:

Duck hunting seasons begin with designated “youth waterfowl hunts” across the state. These hunts allow youth hunters to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters and gain necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of the hunting community. Junior hunters (12 to 15 years of age) accompanied by a licensed adult hunter with up-to-date Harvest Information Program registration and a duck stamp may participate.  During the youth hunt, the adult hunter may not possess a firearm or shoot any birds unless the respective regular season is open. The daily bag limit for ducks and brant (goose) during youth hunts is the same as during the regular season, with the exception that three geese per day may be taken in all zones. The youth hunts are held on weekends in each zone of the state, as follows:

·         Southeastern Zone – Sept. 16-17

·         Northeastern Zone – Sept. 23-24

·         Lake Champlain Zone – Sept. 23-24

·         Western Zone – Oct. 14-15

·         Long Island Zone – Nov. 11-12


Duck Season Overview:

 Duck Season opening dates for each zone:

·         Northeastern Zone – Oct. 7

·         Southeastern Zone – Oct. 7

·         Lake Champlain Zone – Oct. 11

·         Western Zone – Oct. 28

·         Long Island Zone – Nov. 23

 
A complete list of season dates can be found on DEC’s website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28888.html). Continue reading →