New York Mixed Bag: Huntstock debuts in New York July 19-21 – Outdoor News

Vernon Center, N.Y. — After two years of hosting what organizers call “America’s Re-Invented Hunting Show,” in Massachusetts, the format has expanded to New York. Coming up July 19-21, Huntstock, a three-day hunting expo, is taking place at Vernon National Shooting Preserve in Vernon Center.

The event features several hunting celebrities presenting seminars, among them regional favorites Jim Massett and Joe DiNitto, as well as Vermont’s Lanny Benoit. Over 50 exhibitors will be present as well as several podcasters and outdoor social media influencers. There’s also a 3D archery course, clay and trap shooting, and the opportunity to test new optics. Special kids activities too are included.

New York Outdoor News will be among the vendors and promoters Patrick Guyette and Pat Burns were recently guests on the Great Northeast Podcast. Learn more about Huntstock at: www.huntstockevents.com.

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Angler Drowns In Mohawk River After Falling In Near Lock 12

Amsterdam, N.Y. — A Fulton County man drowned in the Mohawk River last month after falling in the river near a turbulent lock while trying to retrieve a fishing pole. The body of Nicolas Williams, 31, of Gloversville, was recovered June 18 nearly a mile down-river of where he fell in at Lock 12, in Amsterdam, after a five-day search.

Williams was fishing with a friend when he tried to recover a snagged pole and fell in the river in what was described as “washing machine-like” turbulence. An attempt to throw Williams a life preserver by his fishing partner was unsuccessful.

More than a dozen state, county and municipal emergency response agencies aided in the search.

The Wild Center Natural History Museum Becomes A Smithsonian Affiliate

Tupper Lake, N.Y. – The Wild Center, an interactive natural history museum in the Adirondacks, is now a Smithsonian Affiliate, becoming part of a distinguished network of over 200 cultural, educational, and research organizations across the United States, plus Puerto Rico and Panama. This new relationship marks a significant milestone in The Wild Center’s mission to connect people with the natural world through science and immersive experiences.

The Wild Center is renowned for its innovative exhibits that include live otters and fish, the Planet Adirondack and the Wild Walk, a series of bridges that leads into treetops. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it will gain access to the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution, including educational materials, collaborative funding, and special access to programming.

“We are thrilled to join the Smithsonian Affiliations program,” Stephanie Ratcliffe, Executive Director at The Wild Center, said “This continued collaboration opens up a wealth of opportunities for us to bring unparalleled educational and scientific experiences to our community and visitors from around the world.”

For more information about The Wild Center and its new Smithsonian affiliation, visit wildcenter.org.

DEC Announces New Delaware River Fishing Access Site In Sullivan County

Long Eddy, N.Y — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the completion of a new fishing access site along the Delaware River in Sullivan County. The Long Eddy fishing access site features parking accommodations for up to seven trailered vehicles and six cars. The Long Eddy fishing access site is located along Ferry Street in the town of Fremont’s hamlet of Long Eddy. A public boat launch for non-motorized boats is located at the end of Ferry Street just beyond the parking area.

The Delaware River is a diverse fishery with an array of opportunities for anglers, including trout, walleye, muskellunge, and certain migratory marine species. The project was constructed through the efforts of DEC’s Region 3 Bureau of Fisheries, Region 3 Division of Operations, and a private contractor.

DEC Tallies 8,000 Acres Added to State’s WMA System In The Past Decade

Albany — DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife recently implemented two long-term federal Pittman-Robertson fund grants. Within the past 10 years nearly 8,000 acres of additional wildlife habitat was acquired under these grants and added to the New York State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. Through these grant programs, State Fish and Wildlife Agencies work with partners to leverage Federal grant funds to conserve wildlife and wild places so everyone can enjoy them.

WMAs created using this federal grant funding include Doodletown WMA in Columbia County, Charles Flood WMA at Empire Brickyard in Columbia County, and Poverty Hill WMA in Cattaraugus County. In total, the WMA system now encompasses and protects approximately 250,000 acres statewide, including more than 130,000 acres of forests, 13,000 acres of shrublands, 11,000 acres of grasslands, and more than 70,000 acres of wetlands.

From 2014 to 2023, $14.5 million from the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program helped acquire nearly 7,000 acres to expand New York’s WMA system. These acquisitions significantly increased the acreage of 15 existing WMAs and created three new WMAs. Additionally, from 2016 to 2023, approximately $1 million from the federal State Wildlife Grants Program helped complete seven land acquisition projects, adding more than 1,000 acres to the WMA system. These acquisitions focused on permanently protecting habitat for a variety of state-designated Species of Greatest Conservation Need. These federal grants were matched by $6.5 million from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2024/07/09/new-york-mixed-bag-huntstock-debuts-in-new-york-july-19-21/