Mixed Bag: Non-lead ammo rebate program returning this hunting season

Albany — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will continue to offer hunters up to $60 in rebates for purchase of certified of lead-free ammunition once again this hunting season.

The program is a partnership with Conservation Science Global, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University and U.S. Geological Survey. To qualify for the rebate, participation in both pre- and post-hunt surveys is required.

The goal of this collaborative research is to determine how the increased use of lead-free ammunition for deer hunting can improve the health and survival of bald and golden eagles. Lead bullets used for deer hunting are relatively soft and can fragment into many small pieces that can travel up to 18 inches from the wound channel and be dispersed in a deer’s vital organs after impact.

Complete boxes of ammunition or bullets purchased for reloading are eligible for the rebate. Hunters are reminded to save their receipts for such purchases. More information can be found here.

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Bassmaster Elite Series Returning To Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River In 2026

Plattsburgh, N.Y. — After taking a year off from New York fisheries, the Bassmaster Elite Series will be back in the Empire State. Bassmasters recently announced the 2026 schedule, which includes the Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tenn., March 13-15.

The Elites will wrap up their season in New York. First up is Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, August 13-16. “Champlain,” a press release said “is renowned for its dual threat of quality smallmouth and largemouth fishing. In 2024, Virginia’s Ed Loughran III conquered the diverse fishery with 80 pounds, 12 ounces.”

The regular season concludes August 27-30, 2026 in Clayton, on the St. Lawrence River, which the release said was “the gold standard for smallmouth fishing.” In 2024, Canadian pro Cory Johnston joined the exclusive smallmouth Century Club with a 102-pound total, showcasing just how productive the St. Lawrence can be.

DEC Launches Snapshot NY Public Trail-cam Photo Database

Albany — DEC recently announced the launch of Snapshot NY, a collaborative citizen science initiative between DEC and the NY Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University. Snapshot invites the public to be part of a groundbreaking wildlife research project across New York State.

Using trail cameras, Snapshot NY encourages nature lovers, and outdoor explorers to help biologists track changes in animal populations across the state to better manage those species. Whether a trail camera in a backyard or a state forest, the photos will become part of a growing database used to inform wildlife conservation and management efforts across the state.

To download the Snapshot NY app or for more information visit: https://www.snapshotny.org.

USA Clay Target League Launches Free Team Initiative For New Participants

Eagan, Minn.— The USA Clay Target League recently announced a new initiative to help high schools and colleges across America start clay target teams for their students. The Free Team Initiative provides new school-approved teams with free registration fees, free safety equipment, and more for up to five athletes. By adding more new teams and student athletes, the league expects to continue to broaden its mission to provide school-sponsored shooting sports to the education community.

Over 54,000 athletes took part in the 2024-25 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country. The League has never had an accident or injury in nearly 20 years of operation and hundreds of millions of shots fired.

“This is a great opportunity for existing teams in smaller, local organizations to experience the benefits and features that only the USA Clay Target League provides.” Drew Tri, Marketing Manager for the League, said.

DEC Seeks Comments On Draft Visitor Use Management Plan for the Formerly Trailless Catskill High Peaks

New Paltz, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the release of the Draft Visitor Use Management (VUM) Plan for the Formerly Trailless Catskill High Peaks. The plan outlines sustainable management strategies to protect ecologically sensitive high-elevation peaks in the Forest Preserve that have historically been managed to be free of trails and other recreational facilities.

A surge in user-created, informal trails is threatening fragile ecosystems and resulting in soil compaction, increased erosion, forest fragmentation, and damage to vegetation and wildlife habitat. Since 2019, DEC has collected data to better understand the distribution of visitor-created, informal trails on 16 peaks over 3,500 feet.

The VUM plan is available for public comment through Sept. 15. Send comments to catskillpark@dec.ny.gov or by mail to Pine Roehrs, NYSDEC, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. A virtual meeting will also be held Aug. 6.

Visit here for more information.