The latest from ADKHunter…

Posted on by June 8, 2017

Meteorological Summer: Some of us view the seasons by the months on calendar and for many of us outdoors folks the those of June, July and August are the months of Summer. Turkey season is over, bass season is coming soon, the kids will be out of school and the longest days of the year are upon us. This is also the quietest time of year at ADKHunter.com. Sure, we’ll keep the news feed going and our Facebook page updated and maybe a trail-cam photo or two, but for the most part Summer is our down time. We hope you enjoy it, and get to spend some time fishing, camping or whatever it is you like to do. 

Meanwhile, keep an eye on legislation that’s on the congressional floor for items related to the outdoors and mark your calendars for hunting seasons that start opening on Sept. 1 (Squirrel), Sept.  16 (Early Bear), Sept. 20 (Grouse) and Sept. 27 (Early Archery).  Have a Super Summer! 

 

Continue reading →

Lows Upper Dam Project Impacting Traffic Flow

Posted on by June 8, 2017

A maintenance project is underway at Lows Upper Dam located in the Bog River/Lows Lake area in southern St. Lawrence County. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is overseeing the work being done by a contractor to bring the dam into compliance with New York Dam Safety Regulations. Construction activities will impact recreational users of the portage from Hitchins Pond to Lows Lake, as well as private landowners and users of the Sabattis Boy Scout Camp. Work is scheduled to occur Monday through Friday and is expected to last through November 2017.

Members of the public wishing to access Hitchins Pond and Lows Lake will continue to launch at Low’s Lower Dam, located near the end of State Highway 421. Recreational users should continue to use the existing designated portage around Low’s Upper Dam. From Hitchins Pond travel northwest past the old homesite; stay within the designated traffic area (delineated with orange construction fence) as you make your way through the work area; and continue to the dock on the right side of the Bog River Flow. Stay within the designated travel corridor at all times while traveling through the work area. Construction activities will not affect vehicular traffic to private land on Lows Lake (Boy Scouts and others) on Saturday and Sunday, but will change traffic patterns during the work week. Authorized vehicles may access private property from NYS Route 421 when the Sabattis Road is not passable.

If you have any questions or concerns contact Henry Dedrick, Supervising Forester at the DECs Potsdam sub-office at (315) 274-3342 or email information.R6@dec.ny.gov.

DEC Releases Draft Saranac Lakes Wild Forest UMP

Posted on by June 8, 2017

The draft Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) for 76,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondacks has been released for public review and comment, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced.

Saranac Lakes Wild Forest (SLWF) is comprised of 76,000 acres of Forest Preserve lands and 19,600 acres of lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds in the towns of Santa Clara, Brighton, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, and Franklin in Franklin County and the towns of St. Armand and North Elba in Essex County. Three of the largest population centers in the Adirondack Park – the villages of Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid – are located within the general boundaries of the unit.

DEC has scheduled two availability sessions and two public meetings to provide information on the management actions proposed in the draft UMP. During the availability sessions, the public will have the opportunity to review maps, fact sheets, and other documents, ask DEC staff questions, and provide comments. DEC staff will also be available to answer questions during the first 30 minutes of the public meetings, after which DEC will share a presentation on the draft UMP and the public will have the opportunity to comment.

Availability Sessions and Public Meetings

  • Saranac Lake Availability Session: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on July 12, Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium, 39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY
  • Saranac Lake Public Meeting: 6:00 p.m. on July 12, Saranac Lake High School auditorium, 79 Canaras Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY
  • Tupper Lake Availability Session: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on July 13, Goff-Nelson Memorial Library, downstairs community room, 41 Lake Street, Tupper Lake, NY
  • Tupper Lake Public Meeting: 6:30 p.m. on July 13, Flammer Theater, the Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY

Public comments will be accepted until close of business on August 11, 2017. Written comments may be mailed to Forester Steve Guglielmi, NYSDEC Region 5, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 or sent by e-mail to: r5.ump@dec.ny.gov. Continue reading →

DEC RELEASES DRAFT RECREATION MANAGEMENT PLAN TO IMPROVE ACCESS ON

Posted on by June 9, 2017

The draft Cedarlands Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plan (RMP) was released today for public review and comment, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Bob Stegemann announced

The 4,865-acre Cedarlands CEL (www.dec.ny.gov/lands/108144.html) is located in the town of Long Lake, Hamilton County in the central Adirondacks. The conservation easement divides the property into four areas, each of which has different restrictions. The conservation easement provides for some public recreation rights on the 3,309-acre McRorie Lake Area for 10 months (between August 24 and June 23), and year-round on the 592-acre Mud Pond Area. The 674-acre Long Lake Area and the 289-acre Base Camp Area are not available for public use.

A public meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 22, at the town of Long Lake Town Hall, 1204 Main Street, Long Lake, NY. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more on the proposed management actions in the draft RMP and to comment on the proposals. The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. Please provide any requests for specific accommodations to 518-897-1361 at least one week in advance.

Written comments may be sent to Steve Guglielmi, Forester, NYSDEC, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977, or e-mailed to r5ump@dec.ny.gov until Friday, July 14. Continue reading →

DEC Releases Proposals to Amend Three State Land Unit Management Plans (UMPs)

Posted on by June 5, 2017

Agencies Accepting Comments until June 16, 2017

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released Draft Amendments for the Blue Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness and Jessup River Wild Forest UMPs. DEC and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) are reviewing the two Draft Amendments concurrently and holding a combined, joint public comment period on the proposals in the Draft Amendments.

            The amendments propose projects that will provide safe access to communications facilities, protect important wildlife habitat, and improve the outdoor recreation experience within all three units. These amendments also propose new trails that connect the Forest Preserve to local communities, as recommended by three regional trail plans recently completed by DEC and its partners:

 

The Draft Amendment to the Blue Mountain Wild Forest UMP proposes to: Continue reading →

Posted in DEC

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 →

DEC Extends Comment Period for Piseco Lake Campgrounds Draft UMP

Posted on by June 5, 2017

Public Meeting Scheduled for June 14 at Arietta Town Hall

The comment period for the Draft Piseco Lake Campgrounds Unit Management Plan (UMP) has been extended to June 16 and a public meeting on the actions proposed in the Draft UMP has been scheduled for June 14 at the town of Arietta Town Hall in Hamilton County, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.

DEC’s three Piseco Lake campgrounds – Popular Point, Little Sand Point, and Point Comfort – are located on the shores of Piseco Lake along County Route 24 (aka Old Piseco Road) in the town of Arietta, Hamilton County.

The public meeting will held at the town of Arrietta Town Hall, 1722 State Route 8, Piseco, NY, beginning at 5 pm. A presentation reviewing the management actions proposed in the Draft UMP at the beginning of the meeting. After the presentation, DEC staff will answer questions and then the public will have an opportunity to provide verbal comments.

The Piseco Lake Campgrounds Draft UMP (PDF, 4.5 MB) guides the management actions for the three DEC campgrounds and is available to review and download on the DEC website. An earlier press release provides an overview of the campgrounds and the management actions proposed for Little Sand Point Campground and Point Comfort Campground.

Due to limited attendance, staffing and resources, the Draft UMP proposes closing Poplar Point to camping and redeveloping the facility as a No Fee day use area/boat launch starting in 2017. Resources and staff are being redeployed to the nearby Little Sand Point and Point Comfort to provide more efficient services while continuing to offer great outdoor recreation opportunities to campers.

Copies of the Draft UMP are available on computer disc and may be obtained by calling (518) 457-2500. Public comments on the draft UMPs will be accepted through June 16, 2017, and can be submitted by mail to: Josh Houghton, NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253, or by e-mail to campinfo@dec.ny.gov

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/77537.html

Statewide Invasive Species Awareness Week to Be Held July 9-17

Posted on by June 5, 2017

 New York’s fourth annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) will be celebrated July 9-15, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. The annual educational campaign aims to educate New Yorkers about the negative impacts invasive species can have on our environment, economy, and health and empower residents to take action to stop the spread of these destructive pests. DEC is encouraging organizations to partner in hosting an event as part of New York’s ISAW.

“Preventing the spread of invasive species is the most effective way to fight and address the damage these species can cause to our natural resources,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Invasive Species Awareness Week is a great opportunity to highlight some of the environmental and economic threats these species can pose and raises awareness of the many ways that all New Yorkers can help protect against unwelcome species in their communities.”

During ISAW, the eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), DEC, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and other state and local partners will host events to teach citizens how to identify, survey, manage, and map invasive species. Through these events, participants will gain the skills to participate in early detection and rapid response efforts in the places where they live, work, and play. Continue reading →

296 ACRES ADDED TO STATE FOREST PRESERVE

Posted on by June 5, 2017

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the acquisition of Marion River Carry, a 296 acre property in the Adirondacks. Coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the Adirondack Park, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos signed ceremonial maps to resolve more than a century of differences between the state and Raquette Lake occupants located on 216 parcels within Township 40. As part of the resolution, the state acquired the property from Open Space Institute, which will now be added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve and made open to the public.

On November 5, 2013, New York State voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that allowed the longstanding title dispute in Township 40 in the Raquette Lake area of the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County, to be resolved. On December 18, 2013, Governor Cuomo signed legislation that adopted a new Title 19 in Article 9 of the Environmental Conservation Law to implement the constitutional amendment. 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.