Is the Northern Zone deer season too long?
If writer had to make a choice, it would be to cut some time off the end, at least in years when the late season carries into mid-December.
Dan Ladd
Early-season conditions challenge deer and turkey hunters
Archery season is open across New York and hunters couldn’t be happier. With the exception of a mid-October warm-up, the weather has been much cooler this year compared to the past two early archery seasons. Encouraging, to say the least, when considering a morning or evening in a tree stand or ground blind. In the Northern Zone, the early muzzleloading…
In praise of small game hunting
I remember my first days of small game hunting like it was yesterday. Being born in mid-November, I had to wait until my 14th birthday, which was the minimum hunting age at the time, before I could buy my first hunting license. It was a Friday and we had a half-day at school, and afterward, my older brother Tim and…
Don’t put away those fishing rods
The meteorological summer is over, and the autumnal equinox lies ahead. That means the average sportsman is likely preparing for hunting season, or perhaps even enjoying some early-season goose or gray squirrel hunting and anticipating the opening a number of other seasons (bear, grouse, archery deer, waterfowl and turkeys) in the weeks ahead. Versatile sportsmen, meaning those who hunt, fish…
Practice now for upcoming deer season
I can’t tell you how many deer hunters I know who never touch their deer rifles, or any firearm for that matter, until just prior to deer season. For many it doesn’t seem to be a big deal, but for others it can be the difference between a hit and a miss. I’m actually surprised you don’t hear about more…
Sportsmen estate planning: accepting the inevitable
It’s been a tough summer in terms of losing friends and family. We in New York’s outdoor writing (and reading) community continue to mourn the losses of our friends and colleagues Will Elliott and Ron Kolodziej, who both recently passed. And the passings of a family member as well as the friend of a friend have taught me a lesson…
Safety first during summer boating season
There are more boats – big and small – on the water these days than ever, and owners of all types need to learn to co-exist. The smaller boat always has the right-of-way, and motor-boaters need to keep an eye out for paddlers and fishermen.It’s mid-summer and boating in vessels of all sizes is at its zenith. As someone who…
A different kind of bear season
Bears quickly learn how to acquire food, and in some cases that means intimidating humans or even destroying property, including vehicles.The early black bear hunting seasons in New York are still a couple months away. However, summer ushers in a bear season of its own, where it’s the bears that are doing the hunting – for food. This can be…
Scholastic clay target league explodes in popularity
About 1,150 students from 59 schools participated in the 2018 spring season. That’s up from 370 kids and 19 schools in 2017, and 128 students from five teams in 2016.
With spring gobbler season over, it’s time to prep gear for fall deer hunting
Turkey season is over and many of us toss our gear aside for the time being while we go about getting our gardens fine-tuned or squeeze in some late-spring fishing. If you’re like me, a fair amount of your turkey hunting gear doubles as your deer hunting gear, especially if you’re an early-season bowhunter. When you hang up the turkey…
The light stuff: Running and gunning for late-season gobblers
When the morning sit doesn’t pan out and you have room to roam, scale down the gear and give mobile hunting a try. It’s a great way to find birds and get a little exercise to boot.
Spring has sprung, and has trout anglers and turkey hunters thankful
It was surprising just how many lakes still had ice in the first week of May, despite the warm-up. If you are one of those anglers who has been waiting for ice out to finally come at your favorite trout pond, you may finally be in luck. What has been one of the longest winters that many of us can remember,…
Going back to your turkey-hunting roots: longbeards in the big woods
Every turkey hunter dreams of a textbook spring gobbler hunt. And when they do occasionally happen (for some it’s more occasional than others) we’re on top of the world. When you pull one off on a woodland or a mountain gobbler, it’s even more rewarding. I’ve heard all kinds of stories about hunting timberland gobblers, and the often-advised technique is…
Tackling busy April of chores ahead of spring gobbler season
Easter weekend finally brought the weather I was looking for, and I sprang into action on the chore list. After all, turkey season was only a month away (shorter for the youth weekend) and there’s plenty to do if I want to spend my weekend mornings in May chasing gobblers. The truth is, I’m going to hunt turkeys anyway because…
No fooling: N.Y. poised for a typical cold trout opener April 1
I at least hope for a calm day with no wind, even if the air is cold, so as to drift over the deep holes with a number of lure presentations.
It’s time to remove those ice shanties
But portable shanties have taken over and allow anglers to take the comfort and convenience of a shanty wherever they want.
Whitetails weathering the New York winter – so far
Deer tracks started picking up around the author’s home a few weeks ago.
Boreas classification a win for sportsmen
Big- and small-game hunters alike can disperse along the road in a region very popular for snowshoe hare hunting, while snowmobilers and the towns of Newcomb and North Hudson, standing to benefit from a connector trail, are perhaps the happiest about the classification.
On New York’s bigger lakes, get ice fishing while the getting is good
Who knows if the ice we have is going to be all the ice we’re going to get.
Alsheimer leaves lasting legacy in the whitetail world
Like so many in the deer hunting community, especially in New York, I was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Charlie Alsheimer a few days before the New Year. The fact that he touched a great number of people’s lives in one way or another became more than evident in the days that followed. Even though I had…
Exercise caution on the ice and on snowmobiles
Last winter was one of most dangerous on record in New York for winter outdoor recreation, particularly for snowmobilers and ice anglers. Unfortunately, this one is not off to a good start. On Dec. 16, a Queensbury, N.Y., man drowned after falling through the ice while fishing on Edgecomb Pond, a small body of water in Warren County that allows…
The taste of success: venison for hunters and non-hunters
There’s still some hunting time left and, if you find yourself with a full freezer, consider sharing your success with someone else this holiday season.
Late season may be the great season for deer hunters
If you’ve had a tough season and can’t seem to punch a tag, don’t give up – the best hunting of the season could be about to happen.
Whitetail rut or not, it’s time to hunt
Your best asset during the rut, or at any part of the hunting season, is time in the woods.
Outdoor writers’ group celebrates 50 years
2017 conference-goers gathered at Gore Mountain for a photo.The New York State Outdoor Writers Association recently held its 50th fall conference and anniversary celebration in Warren County, the same place where members held their very first meeting back in 1967. The organization was formed by Hans Paller, a Massena, N.Y.-based outdoor communicator, and Bill Hilts, Sr., of western New York,…
Deer hunters should be sensible about scents
Common-sense tactics involving little money or effort might help you get a little closer to your quarry.
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