New York Mixed Bag: Redding Reloading Equipment owner Richard Beebe dies at 83 – Outdoor News
Cortland, N.Y. — Redding Reloading Equipment owner Richard Beebe, 83, passed away on Oct. 31. Beebe was born in Cortland, and worked for many companies including one where he worked on the prototype of the Lunar Lander and the high speed drive for the U-2 Spy Plane prior to becoming the owner/operator of Redding Reloading Equipment.
An avid outdoorsman according to his obituary Beebe’s passions included hunting, fishing, his collection of old Ford Vehicles, building and flying his own plane. A press release said Beebe loved the people, the machine shop, and being successful at the gun range or in the field with his handloads. Redding Reloading Equipment was established in 1946 and Beebe purchased the company in 1974.
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DEC Repairs Willsboro Fishing Access Site On Boquet River In Essex County
Willsboro, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 Fisheries recently coordinated with the Town of Willsboro on repairing an angler access site on the Boquet River, near the popular salmon fishing pool.
In 2023, a fall storm caused intense damage, tearing away entire logs and numerous rocks from the crib structure used by anglers to access the fishing pool. To repair it, DEC installed logs in September with the help of several volunteers. Then the Town of Willsboro purchased gravel for DEC to install, completing the repair work on Nov. 14.
The Boquet River, in Essex County is the steepest river in New York, Because of this, DEC said, it’s extra prone to erosion and storm damage. The Boquet flows 40 miles from the Adirondacks to Lake Champlain. DEC said the access site is now much safer for anglers and the public.
Habitat at Montezuma Wetlands Complex Enhanced to Support Waterfowl and Wildlife
Montezuma, N.Y. — The New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York State Canal Corporation, and DEC recently completed a project that enhanced approximately 180 acres at the Montezuma Wetlands Complex in Central New York. The project, originally announced in 2021, was inspired by a report prepared by The Nature Conservancy on wetland initiatives and focused on increasing connectivity within the wetlands by creating new channels for water to flow, and helped re-connect the Seneca River to its floodplain.
An announcement said the project also enhanced habitat for dozens of wildlife species, greatly expanded opportunities for nature-based recreation, and included invasive species control and re-introducing native plant species.
The roughly 50,000-acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex is a globally significant Important Bird Area situated at the outlet of Cayuga Lake, and consists of the National Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, DEC’s Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area, and lands owned by The Nature Conservancy and other private parties. The most common waterfowl species that will benefit from this work include mallards, American black duck, American wigeon, wood duck and green-winged teal. These sites will also provide crucial nesting and foraging habitat for rare species such as pied-billed grebe, black tern, and American bittern.
National Audubon Society Annual Christmas Bird Count Turns 125
New York — For the 125th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). From Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, 2025, tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers will participate in counts across the Western Hemisphere. The twelve decades’ worth of data collected by participants contribute to one of only two large existing pools of information notifying ornithologists and conservation biologists of what conservation action is required to protect birds and the places they need.
The Audubon CBC is one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world. Each individual count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for safely organizing volunteers and submitting observations directly to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day – not just the species but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.
When combined with other surveys like the Breeding Bird Survey, the Audubon CBC provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. To learn more, visit: www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count.
Governor Vetoes Animal Crossing Bill
Albany — Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed the New York Wildlife Crossing Act. If passed, the bill would have directed the State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed.
Federal grant monies may have been available to implement the top five projects identified.
Supporters of the bill, which include New York Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, point to DOT figures that say there are 65,000 reported collisions annually with deer alone in New York, and studies show that the average cost of a deer collision is between $20,000 to $40,000. Wildlife crossings can decrease these collisions by up to 92% when properly sited and with directional fencing.
Hochul said the bill and others she recently vetoed would cost about $24 million altogether and were un-budgeted and would put burdens on state agencies.
