NewYork Mixed Bag: Sullivan County Federation gears up for one more coyote hunt – Outdoor News
White Sulpher Springs, N.Y. — The Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs of Sullivan County is holding what is likely its last annual coyote hunting contest. The event, being held Feb. 2-4, is their 16th annual and features a $2,000 grand prize.
In late 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will ban such hunts, as well as those for squirrel, rabbits and other wildlife. Contests for deer taken over the course of a season, as well as black bears, wild turkeys and fishing tournaments, were not included in the legislation.
The contest is open to New York hunters, as well as those in a limited number of counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Headquarters will be the White Sulpher Springs Firehouse. The hunt will conclude with a dinner banquet on Sunday, Feb. 4. Visit the club’s website for more information.
MORE COVERAGE FROM NEW YORK OUTDOOR NEWS:
Dan Ladd: Is coyote contest ban just the start for anti-hunters in New York?
Two men charged, fined in elaborate poaching scheme in New York
New York DEC revamps, modernizes angler awards incentives
DEC Seeks Public Input On Potential Updates To Freshwater Wetlands Protections
Webb, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging New Yorkers to review and comment on the development of proposed regulations that would further protect freshwater wetlands statewide. DEC released the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin developing regulations to implement the new law that expands the number of wetlands regulated by DEC to further protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
Freshwater wetlands are lands and submerged lands, commonly called marshes, swamps, sloughs, bogs, and flats, that support aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation. New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act was enacted in 1975 to regulate activities near larger wetlands, greater than 12.4 acres, and smaller wetlands considered to be of unusual local importance. Starting in January 2025, the scope of regulated smaller wetlands of “unusual importance” will be expanded to wetlands that meet one of 11 specific criteria in order to provide additional fish and wildlife habitat and to protect communities from flooding.
The ANPR seeks feedback on the potential criteria that will be used to classify these newly protected wetlands, and can be viewed in the New York State Register. Public Comments can be submitted by Feb. 19, via email to [email protected] (subject: “ANPR Freshwater Wetlands Protection”) or sent to Bureau of Ecosystem Health, Freshwater Wetlands Unit, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4756.
Enhanced Fishing and Other Recreational Opportunities Offered On Onondaga Lake
Liverpool, N.Y. — DEC has recently completed work on two reconstructed jetties at the north end of Onondaga Lake, in Onondaga County. A new ADA-compliant jetty is located at the Willow Bay area of Onondaga County’s Onondaga Lake Park. The project features an accessible paved trail from the parking lot to the jetty. The jetty itself is also wheelchair accessible, including compatible sections of railing. The second jetty, located off the county’s West Shore Trail at Longbranch Road, offers a stable surface designed with anglers in mind.
Reconstruction of the jetties was completed as part of a series of projects funded through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan for Onondaga Lake. DEC is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to oversee the plan’s implementation, which is creating new and improved public access and recreational opportunities, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat.
DEC Kills Rabid Fox In Warren County, Second Recent Rabies-Positive Animal
Queensbury, N.Y. — On Jan. 5, DEC shot a rabid fox reported by a Queensbury resident in Warren County, the second such occurrence of a rabid animal in the area in less than two months. Local newspapers, The Chronicle and Post Star both reported incidents of residents coming in contact with the fox. In one instance, a young girl was bitten. DEC later confirmed the animal was rabid.
In November, a fisher that later tested positive for rabies bit three people at nearby Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve, also in Queensbury. Anyone who believes they have seen or come in contact with a rabid animal should contact DEC or the Department of Health. Learn more at: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/rabies/fact_sheet.htm.
Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day is January 27
Elmore, Vt. — Vermont’s annual state-wide free ice fishing day is Saturday, January 27. Free Ice Fishing Day is held annually on the last Saturday in January. The day is geared toward giving new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment, but any angler may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a fishing license on free ice fishing day.
To celebrate, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is holding an Ice Fishing Festival at Elmore State Park in Elmore. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages as well as families with kids. Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s Let’s Go Fishing Program, will be on-hand to teach ice fishing skills. Fish and Wildlife staff will operate a fish fry station to cook up participants’ catch. Fishing equipment will also be loaned, if needed.
For more information, visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website. Registration can be completed online. Meanwhile, New York’s first free fishing days of 2024 are Feb. 17-18.
