New York Mixed Bag: DEC announces several appointments, including Sean Mahar as R4 Director

Albany — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced that former Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar was appointed as Regional Director for DEC’s Region 4, which includes Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie counties.

Mahar has more than 10 years of executive leadership experience with DEC, most recently serving as Interim Commissioner prior to Commissioner Amanda Lefton’s appointment, and Executive Deputy Commissioner for more than four years. Mahar also served as the agency’s Chief of Staff and Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs.

DEC also announced that Michelle Marchello is joining DEC to serve as Executive Deputy Commissioner starting Sept. 8; Anthony Luisi was appointed to serve as DEC’s General Counsel; Matt Franklin was appointed DEC’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Protection; and, Adriana Espinoza will serve as DEC’s Acting Chief of Staff following the September departure of longtime Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald.

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DEC, USFWS To Host Annual Public Virtual Fall Waterfowl Meeting

Albany — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife biologists are holding a virtual meeting on Sept. 29 to share information with the public on a variety of regional and state-wide waterfowl news and updates. The virtual meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Meeting topics include highlights of wetland management, expected impoundment fall water level status, research programs at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Tonawanda, Oak Orchard, Northern Montezuma, and Braddock Bay wildlife management areas. Additionally, Atlantic flyway waterfowl populations will be discussed along with upcoming duck and goose hunting seasons.

For more information, including a sign-up link, contact DEC’s Iroquois Wildlife field office at 585-948-5182 or email wildlife@dec.ny.gov.

Long Island’s 28th Youth Waterfowl Program In The Works

Manorville, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the 28th Annual Youth Waterfowl Program for young hunters on Long Island ages 12 to 15.

An instructional course is scheduled at the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club Oct. 18, and the designated hunting day is Nov. 8 at Southaven County Park. The Youth Waterfowl Program is a special event to help junior hunters prepare for and participate in the state’s Youth Waterfowl Days. Since its inception in 1998, the Long Island Youth Waterfowl Program has trained approximately 685 young waterfowl hunters.

Participants must be 12 to 15 years of age by Nov. 8, have completed a hunter education course by Oct. 18, possess a junior (small game) hunting license by Nov. 8, and be registered with the Harvest Information Program. Applications for the Youth Waterfowl Program are due by October 10. Space is limited to 25 students.

For more information and registration contact DE’sC Region 1 Hunter Education Program at 631-444-0255 or e-mail R1SportsmanEducation@dec.ny.gov.

Outdoor Writers, NYSCC To Hold Fall Meetings In The Central Adirondacks

Webb, N.Y. — Both the New York State Outdoor Writers Association and NYS Conservation Council are holding their annual fall gatherings in the Adirondacks in early September, albeit separately.

NYSOWA is holding their annual fall safari Sept. 4-7 at the historic Rap-Shaw Club which resides on a pair of private islands on the remote Stillwater Reservoir, in the town of Webb, in Herkimer County.

The NYSCC will hold their annual fall convention Sept. 5-7 at the Great Camp Sagamore, in Raquette Lake, Hamilton County. On the agenda is the discussion of a number of hunting and fishing related resolutions. The North American Non-Lead Partnership will also present the program which NYON editor Dan Ladd discussed in his column in the Aug. 22 issue of this publication.

Vermont F&W Reminder: Sale Of Bear Paws, Organs Prohibited

Montpelier, Vt. — Vermont’s bear hunting season began Sept. 1 and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that the sale of bear paws and internal organs of bears is prohibited.

“Vermont State Game Wardens have investigated cases where people from out of state have approached Vermont hunters to purchase bear paws and gallbladders which are valuable in Asian countries,” Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder, said. “Until the law was changed last year, Vermont was one of the few states that still allowed the sale of bear paws and gall bladders that are re-sold on the black market.”

The meat of bear, deer or moose may be sold within Vermont during the open hunting season and for 20 days after the season ends. The meat may not be bought or sold to be transported out of the state. A person may buy or sell the head, hide, hoofs, and antlers of legally taken deer or moose and the head and hide of legally taken black bears at any time.