If you have an interest in fishing, you have a desire to learn how to catch fish. That’s as simple as it gets. Becoming more proficient at catching fish is an important part of the equation, but it’s not the only thing. You’ll find that out by attending the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo Jan. 17-19 at the Conference and Event Center in Niagara Falls.
Hunting season was a bit more difficult than in years past all the way around. For the regular Southern Zone big game season opener, our traditional trip to Steuben County saw limited participation from our group of hunters. Life seemed…
My phone vibrated while I sat in a seat at the DEC presentation on the forage base in Lockport. It was Capt. Chris Cinelli of Grand Island inviting me along on a muskie trip the next morning. One of the…
Among other things, winds have also been blamed, with strong east winds pushing salmon out of their staging areas in September. If so, where did they go?
As Capt. Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston set the hook, there was a big smile on his face. “It feels like a good one,” he said with excitement in his voice. We were fishing on the lower Niagara River along with…
It was a special day on the mighty Mississippi River, a football Sunday, and the Green Bay Packers were playing the Minnesota Vikings. Allegiances are divided here because the river is the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin (where Green Bay…
It’s important to educate our elected officials about the importance of our natural resources, whatever they may be.
While local populations off New York’s shoreline have been increasing, the real kicker to our walleye population numbers is the migrating schools of fish that show up every year from the Western Basin of the lake. As many as 10 percent of the lake’s Western Basin walleye will take a trip from Ohio to the western reaches of the lake – as far as Buffalo.
Behind-the-scenes fishing contest helps dispel some of the myths surrounding the big lake this high-water season.
One of the best things about being an outdoor writer is that you have an opportunity to fish with a wide variety of angling professionals, be it of the charter captain or guide variety or people who could be captains…
Fishery on display with annual celebrity gathering, fishing tournament.
The spring wild turkey season is the central focus of my elusive outdoor quest. Just when I think I can reach that attainable goal of tagging a big bird, it slips through my fingers at the last minute due to…
A serious complication is the fact that local charter captains are cancelling trips left and right. Spring is a prime time for salmon, trout, bass and walleye between the Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario. Huge ice fields pose a serious problem for boaters in the river and in the eastern basin of Lake Erie.
We are at a crossroads with many of our treasured hunting and fishing activities. One that this blogger is concerned about is the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting.
That could all change if some New York City politicians have their way.
As winter slowly starts to fade away, so does some of the winter fishing opportunities – like ice fishing. Don’t abandon your winter gear just yet, though. Some of the best hard-water fishing is yet to come. Just make sure…
With a push to make things more restrictive as far as creel limits in Lake Ontario, should we also be looking at a law or regulation that does not allow captains and/or mates to keep their limits, too? Currently, it’s a gray area. If they have a fishing license, they are entitled to their own limit of fish.
It’s possible you could spend a couple of hours setting up for a morning hunt, only to have it over within five minutes – depending on the day, of course. We need to look at the big picture and not get discouraged. Don’t hang up those waterfowl calls just yet.
Algae doesn't sour the usual adventures here, be it fishing, birdwatching, shelling or just general outdoor recreation.
Grief is something very real. We all deal with it differently. When I lost my mom earlier this year, I turned to some quiet time in the outdoors – walking, reading a book, remembering many of the good times, stopping…
Make the effort to share these special times and start your own traditions with family and friends.
Take someone fishing – you never know what’s going to happen.
Let’s all work together to make this happen, allowing for the use of crossbows and make the regulations and requirements more accepting for today’s standards. It’s time.
It’s not the first time I’ve had to explain myself when I was headed for Wayne County. “Where you headed this weekend?” asks a friend. “Wayne County,” is my quick retort. When I get that quizzical look, reflecting on the…
The basic concept is a simple one – get the ladies out on Lake Ontario fishing for salmon and trout through a friendly team event and raise funds to combat the effects of cancer.
Bill Hilts, Jr. of Lockport (Niagara County) has been a freelance writer since 1980 after graduating from SUNY-Oswego (’78). His first job was with Gun Week Newspaper out of Buffalo. He now writes every week for seven newspapers, contributes to magazines and has been writing for New York Outdoor News since its inception in 2004. He is past president of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, a former board member of Outdoor Writers Association of America, and active with New York State Outdoor Writers Association. A life member of NRA, he’s also involved with numerous sportsmen’s and conservation groups. He’s an avid deer and waterfowl hunter, and Great Lakes angler.
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