The agency also recommends avoiding catch-and-release fishing for heat-stressed trout because they’re unlikely to survive no matter how carefully they’re handled.
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…
Part of continuing efforts to remove invasive grass carp, assess grass carp capture techniques and increase information on grass carp populations in the two rivers.
(Editor’s note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the state of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.) Squirrel shooting leads to…
The New Jersey Pinelands are under attack by southern pine beetles. (Photo by USDA NCRS)ALBANY, N.Y. — A beetle that has killed millions of acres of pines in southern forests is munching its way north, and new research suggests its tree-killing prowess could be magnified in cooler climes. Once unheard-of north of Delaware, southern pine beetles have been steadily expanding…
The 18-plus-pound walleye, caught in the St. Lawrence River, shattered the old mark by more than 1-1/2 pounds.
The plan proposes regulatory changes and new actions to minimize the risk of CWD entering or spreading in New York state, the DEC says.
(New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)ALBANY, N.Y. — New York families who have never camped have the chance to see if they might enjoy the great outdoors before making a commitment to buy all the gear. Free first-time camper weekends are being offered at 13 parks around the state throughout the summer. New campers will be provided with a…
Agency’s final lake sturgeon recovery plan to help guide recovery efforts for next decade.
The 2017-18 estimated deer take included 95,623 antlerless deer and 107,804 antlered bucks. Statewide, this represents a 10 percent decline in antlerless harvest and nearly identical buck harvest as in 2016.
The DEC estimates that anglers caught 96,000 and kept nearly 54,000 Chinook salmon in 2017.
Survey results, as well as data on deer impacts on forest regeneration, will be used to guide deer population management decisions. Previously, the DEC used citizen task forces to involve state residents in the process.
The heaviest bear reported to state officials was 550 pounds. It was killed in the town of Lexington in Greene County.
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Department of Environmental Conservation says there were 19 hunting-related shooting incidents last year, the second-lowest on record. The agency also reports 12 tree stand accidents in 2017, the first year it has recorded such injuries. Of the 19 shooting accidents, 14 involved two people and 11 of the victims weren’t wearing hunter orange. Five of the…
Individually, we may not have much of an impact, but collectively, we can do something positive to help our waterways recover.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week kicked off the first in a series of four summits addressing upstate lakes and other waterways threatened by harmful algal blooms, which can affect water quality and diminish recreational opportunities and tourism. “Harmful algal blooms are poison,” the Democrat said at an event in New Paltz, 65 miles south of Albany. “These…
Tony Wilkinson, director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish and Wildlife, addresses a statewide hunter education instructor gathering in Ballston Spa (Saratoga County) and voices concerns over the potential return of chronic wasting disease to New York and outlines steps the department is taking to prevent that. Categories: CWD, New York Videos, Whitetail Deer, Whitetail Deer Videos…
In New York, free snowmobiling weekend for out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers is Feb. 2-5. Registration fees will be waived for all properly registered and insured snowmobilers wishing to explore New York’s 10,400 miles of trails. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Parks teamed up to create a video to help snowmobilers enjoy the ride…
Agency estimates that anglers harvested more than 70,000 walleyes in 2017, a level not achieved since 1989.
Combination of first Erie December freeze-over since 2000 and a surging walleye population in the lake could make for a fishing season to remember. But with great ice-building weather comes First Day Hikes cancellations.
In New York, it’s management of mute swans that’s causing a stir.
Early reports from New York hunters through Dec. 3, show that hunters reported taking approximately 18 percent more deer in the Northern Zone and 14 percent more deer in the Southern Zone compared to the same period in 2016.
Researchers believe that the reduction in the round goby population in the lake may be the reason.
Communications with this state’s outdoor press has been a difficult proposition to say the least the last couple of years for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Press folks, when we needed information, had to contact Albany to arrange for interviews – even if we needed general information on something as mundane as stocking numbers or catch rates in Lake…
Deer harvest numbers about the same as last year.
DEC: Improvements represent the first phase of renovations planned for the hatchery in the coming year.
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