New York Mixed Bag: Roads Temporarily Closed At Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area In Sullivan County

Highland, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the temporary closure of all recreational access roads within the Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area in the Town of Highland, Sullivan County. Earlier this year, DEC announced the closure of Gordon Pond and its surrounding campsites due to necessary safety repairs to the Gordon Dam. To protect the public, the roads will remain closed for the duration of the construction project.

The construction area is delineated with DEC signage.

Non-motorized access is permitted outside of the construction area. Visitors can use the parking area on Barker Road. Nearby alternative locations for outdoor recreation include Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area, Huckleberry Ridge State Forest, Neversink River Unique Area, and Wolf Brook Multiple Use Area.

DEC will announce the reopening of roads and Gordon Pond upon completion of construction.

MORE COVERAGE FROM NEW YORK OUTDOOR NEWS:

Dan Ladd: Sportsmen and women still pay for conservation

Bassmaster Elite Series ‘swings’ into New York for season’s final events

Earn-a-second-buck procedures explained as New York DEC shares comments on new deer regs

DEC: No Boat Launching At Stilesville Fishing Access Site On The Delaware River

Deposit, N.Y. — DEC is reminding the public that launching boats from the Stilesville Fishing Access site along the West Branch of the Delaware River in the Town of Deposit is prohibited. The site, located on Laurel Bank Road, is designated for wade fishing only.

Widely celebrated as one of the nation’s premier destinations for wild trout fishing, the Stilesville Fishing Access site remains one of the most popular fishing locations in Delaware County. However, over several years, boaters using the natural bank to launch their boats have created severe stream bank erosion and traffic issues in an area that is not safe nor suitable for launching vessels.

To ensure the safety of all anglers and boaters, DEC installed new signage identifying the restricted area. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers will be patrolling the site to ensure compliance. DEC will work to rehabilitate the erosion during the coming months to improve angler access. Boaters can access other launch locations in the area, including Deposit River Park (River Street) and the DEC launch at the end of Airport Road in Deposit, which is in the process of having its parking lot expanded.

Bear Euthanized After Forcing DEC To Close Campsites In The St. Regis Canoe Area

Santa Clara, N.Y. — DEC recently euthanized a black bear after the agency had temporarily closed seven campsites in the St. Regis Canoe Area due to nuisance bear activity.

Recently, a bear had demonstrated a pattern of approaching people to look for food, damaging tents and food storage containers, exhibiting minimal fear of humans, and is resistant to deterrents, including bear spray and loud noises. Once learned, these behaviors escalate over time. DEC asked recreationists to avoid the areas around the western and north shores of Long Pond, but reopened the campsites after the bear was euthanized. Under guidance from DEC’s Black Bear Response Manual, the bear was classified as Class 1 and deemed a threat to public safety, which warranted its euthanization.

The SRCA is the only designated canoe area in New York State and is very remote. With bear/human encounters on the rise this summer DEC encourages the public to visit https://bearwise.org and follow the guidance for avoiding black bears.

NWTF, USDA Hosting Volunteer Day at Finger Lakes National Forest Aug. 8

Hector, N.Y. — The New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is looking for volunteers to help install tree shelters around recently planted red and white oak seedlings during the Finger Lakes National Forest Volunteer Day being held Aug. 8.

The event will be hosted by the USDA Forest Service and the NWTF. The volunteer day will offer participants the opportunity to be a part of creating healthy habitats for the wild turkey and other wildlife. The Finger Lakes National Forest represents an important part of the NWTF’s conservation legacy, as the forest is the site of the first acres managed to contribute to the NWTF’s Forests and Flocks Initiative.

For more information visit: www.nwtf.org/chapters/new-yorkstate-chapter.

Vermont Weighs Black Bear Hunting And Bear Hounding Season Changes

Montpelier, Vt. – The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold two public hearings on proposed changes to Vermont’s bear hunting regulation. The changes proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Board would eliminate the consecutive “early” and “late” seasons to create one bear season extending from Sept. 1 through the last day of the regulated deer seasons.

The proposed rule would require the purchase of a bear tag to take a bear during the bear season. The bear hounding season would extend from Sept. 1 for Vermont residents and Sept. 15 for nonresidents, through the second Sunday after the start of regular November deer season. The proposed changes would allow a second bear tag in annually specified Wildlife Management Units and prohibit the intentional taking of a sow bear accompanied by a cub or cubs.

Two public hearings have been scheduled to solicit public input on the proposed rule changes: Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m., at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, St. Johnsbury; and, Aug,. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Bennington Elks Lodge. There is a remote option for the Aug. 24 meeting.

Visit https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com for more information.