New York Mixed Bag: DEC reminds public of shark and sturgeon salvage program

New Paltz, N.Y. — DEC reminds the public that dead sharks and sturgeon will occasionally wash ashore, including shark’s on New York’s oceanic shores and sturgeon along the shores of the Hudson River. These mortalities can occur due to fishery interactions, boating, predation, parasitism, or natural causes.

DEC collects information on the location, species, length, sex, and condition of these deceased individuals. If possible, the carcass is retrieved by DEC staff and a necropsy (animal autopsy) will be conducted to identify a potential cause of death. Biological samples are collected and shared with several academic and scientific researchers in New York and across the country to facilitate multiple ongoing biological studies.

Those who encounter a dead shark or sturgeon should not handle the fish and are reminded that possessing them is illegal. Reporting observations of these deceased marine species to DEC’s Marine Life Incident Report online survey or by calling: 845-256-3073 for sturgeon found in the Hudson River Region, and, 631-444-0444 for sharks and sturgeon found in New York’s marine waters.

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Joe Rist, Others Honored as Catskill Legends of Fly Fishing

Livingston Manor, N.Y. — New York Outdoor News 2025 Person of the Year Joe Rist, proprietor of Trout Town Flies, in Roscoe, has been recognized by the Catskill Fly-Fishing Center and Museum’s Catskill Legends of Fly-Fishing program.

Founded in 2014, the Catskill Legends program honors individuals who have contributed their expertise to impact, educate and share the history and knowledge of the Catskills and continue the tradition of Catskill fly fishing community.

They are conservation stewards, authors, historians, and anglers who have shared their Catskill experience and allowed others to follow in their footsteps to create their own experience. Along with Rist, John Apgar, Seth Cavarretta, Jim Krul, Ted Patlen were also honored. Director of Operations Laura Colangelo presented the awards.

As the owner or Trout Town Flies, Rist has become known for his dedication to helping U.S. Military Veterans enjoy fly-fishing; often lending them gear and arranging fly-fishing outings. His river reports are often utilized by NYON’s Fishing Reports.

Learn more about museum and the Catskill Legends of Fly-Fishing program at https://cffcm.com.

Public Archery Range in Saratoga County Closed During Pavilion Construction

Wilton, N.Y. — DEC recently closed, temporarily, the Saratoga Sand Plains Wildlife Management Area public archery range, in Wilton, Saratoga County to public use during the construction of a new 24-foot by 36-foot pavilion. Construction is expected to be finished no later than July 15. Until then, the entire range facility, including the parking area, will be closed to all public use. The pavilion, funded through the federal grant, will cost approximately $90,000 and will enhance functionality of the range, enabling events regardless of weather conditions.

The Saratoga Sand Plains WMA range, which opened in 2020, is the only one currently in New York of it’s kind. DEC said it demonstrates the value of public archery facilities and serves as a model for the State’s range program.

DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is currently investing $3.1 million as part of a five-year federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant to develop a network of up to 14 archery ranges across the state.

New York Youth Fishing Programs Receive 675 Rods and Reels from Bass Pro Shops

Clifton Park, N.Y. — Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris recently spearheaded an program that donated more than 55,000 rods and reels to youth-focused nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada, helping more kids experience the excitement of their first catch. Among those, are a handful in New York.

According to Bass Pro Shops Communications Office, the donations included more that 675 fishing outfits  to youth-focused nonprofit organizations across New York State such as the Broadalbin-Perth Fishing Club, Fishlife Outdoors, the Rushford Lake Conservation Society, and the Norwood Lake Association’s Reel Heroes and Little Legends Free Bass Fishing Tournament.

The Clifton Park Bass Pro Shops, the retailer’s newest New York location, presented the fishing outfits during special kid’s fishing clinics held in June.

Lake Placid, NYC May Seek to Host Future Winter Olympics

Albany (AP) — The state of New York is forming an exploratory committee to consider whether Lake Placid and New York City should bid to co-host a future Winter Olympics.

The announcement, which came June 22 from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, suggested a dual-hosting format, the likes of which Milan and Cortina pulled off at this year’s Olympics. The first likely available spot for New York to host would be 2042.

Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, which was the year of the infamous “Miracle on Ice.”