New York Mixed Bag: National Hunting and Fishing Day set for Sept. 27

Albany — National Hunting & Fishing Day is Saturday, Sept. 27. Since 1972, this day is observed on the fourth Saturday of September annually to recognize the contributions that hunters and anglers make to conservation and to promote outdoor recreation and the responsible stewardship of natural resources.

In New York, NHFD is one of six free annual fishing days. There are also a number of sponsored youth hunting activities (see here) and events held by clubs and organizations (see calendar).

Learn more at nhfday.org.

MORE COVERAGE FROM NEW YORK OUTDOOR NEWS:

New York’s Long Island hunters balk at 500-foot set-back rule in new crossbow law

Dan Ladd: What’s next for New York hunters in wake of crossbow expansion?

New York DEC conducting review of Lake George salmon; results may impact future stocking

DEC Reopens Goodman Mountain Trail After Moose Is Euthanized

Tupper Lake, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has reopened the popular Goodman Mountain trail in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest in the town of Tupper Lake. The trail was closed for nearly two months due to the presence of a bull moose demonstrating unusual behaviors over an extended period of time. After extended observation, the moose’s condition was found to have deteriorated so significantly that a decision was made to humanely euthanize the moose.

DEC’s Wildlife Health Unit, in partnership with the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, are testing the moose’s remains to attempt to determine its underlying illness and will share the results when available.

Chautauqua Lake’s Bemus Point State Boat Launch Temporally Closed For Improvements

Bemus Point, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the temporary closure of the Bemus Point State Boat Launch and Fishing Access Site located on Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua County, for major site improvements and launch ramp replacement. The project was scheduled to start on Sept. 2, and is anticipated to continue through the end of November.

The entire site will be closed to public access for the duration of the project including the launch ramp and parking area.

Improvements to the site include the replacement of the concrete boat launch, new boat docks, and an anchored, floating kayak launch. Additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant features will be added to the site including accessible parking spaces near the boat launch, improved sidewalks, and motion-sensor, solar-powered lights to the launch area and sidewalks. The concrete seawall will also be removed and replaced with stone rip rap and a vegetated shoreline.

Lake Ontario Spring Preyfish Assessment Report Available

Ann Arbor, Mich.— The Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s final report of the 2025 Lake Ontario Spring Preyfish Assessments is now available. Alewife are the main prey in Lake Ontario and support a multi-million dollar sport fishery in which fisheries managers must balance hatchery salmon stocking levels with lake prey levels.

The 2025 assessment found a very large year class of alewife produced in 2024 (measured as age-1 fish in 2025). Adult alewife biomass decreased slightly from last year, but is predicted to increase in 2026 due to the large number of age-1 alewife present in 2025.

Lake Ontario preyfish are assessed annually through a multiagency bottom trawl survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The report is available at: https://www.glfc.org.

2025-26 Youth Fish Art Contest Begins

White Bear Lake, Minn. — The 2025-26 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest is officially open for entries. The free contest is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and invites youth from around the world to dive into science, art, and storytelling – while reeling in knowledge about fish and aquatic habitats. Since 1997, more than 86,000 young artists from 46 countries have taken part, helping to fuel the next generation of outdoor stewards.

Students choose a fish species to research, exploring its habitat, behavior, and conservation story. They then produce an original, handmade creation of their chosen fish. 2D or 3D artwork is welcomed. There is also a writing contest. The contest is open through Feb. 26, 2026.

Resources, guidelines, and entry forms are available at www.FishArt.org. Questions can be sent to Veronica at VMangio@WildlifeForever.org.

Vermont Doubles Maximum Poaching Fines

Montpelier, Vt. — The penalties for wildlife violations have increased substantially according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Poachers who illegally shoot deer, bear, moose, or wild turkeys now face higher fines and jail sentences. Maximum fines have doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 with a potential jail sentence of up to 60 days for the first offense. A second offense now brings a maximum fine of $5,000 and potential jail sentence of up to 180 days.

The same penalties also now apply for possessing, transporting, buying or selling big game; violations of threatened or endangered species laws; interference with hunting, fishing or trapping; and illegal commercial importation or possession of wild animals. The changes, which are now in effect, were included in Act. 47 passed by the Vermont legislature in the spring.

“These changes are long overdue,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “Vermont’s wildlife violation penalties have remained unchanged since 2015.”