This announcement is New York State deer hunting history in the making!
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed that junior hunters ages 14-15 will be able to hunt deer during the special youth firearms deer season over the Columbus Day weekend this year from Oct. 6-8.
This youth deer hunt will take place in both the northern and southern zones, with the exception of Long Island. Junior hunters (ages 14-15) with a big game hunting license will be eligible to take one deer of either gender with a firearm when properly accompanied by a licensed and experienced adult. Junior hunters may use a deer management permit or deer management assistance program tag for an antlerless deer or, during the youth firearms season only, they may use their season tag to take a deer of either gender.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
Captain Bud Marsh (front) and Dan Korzenski had a busy day Friday afternoon.
The exceptions to using firearms are Westchester County and parts of Albany and Monroe counties, where the juniors will be allowed to use bow hunting equipment only during the youth hunt weekend.
DEC Commissioner Joe Martens stated that bow season will remain open during this special youth hunt, but urges archers to put aside their archery equipment and be a mentor for a youth's first firearms deer hunt. More information to come on Thursday.
The weatherman has had many of us guessing all summer long and this past Friday was no exception. Friday morning started off with clear skies and a soft breeze that seemed to change direction as the day progressed. My brother Ray and I had heard the perch were biting in 70 feet of water off Dunkirk and a stationary white boat on the horizon confirmed our suspicions. So by 9:30 a.m. we were off. After seining a few dozen live minnows (on the small side) and equipped with salted minnows, calamari and worms, we set up operations in view of ALIBI and another smaller dark blue boat.
We scratched up a few perch and started to slip anchor so after an hour we decided to get closer to the other boats who were obviously catching fish. The wind was picking up, but the waves were manageable for my 17-footer. We dropped anchor as the other two boats headed for home. Recognizing us, the ALIBI and crew waved and departed as we started to catch fish. The wind picked up more and Ray asked when we were going to leave. Noon was the reply.
On cue the wind started to pick up more so we decided to leave, but before picking up anchor I tried to start the boat to no avail. Probably flooded. Again I tried with no luck. A cell phone call to the "Con Club" got a reply from Greg Rose. I explained our plight and asked if he could contact Captain Bud Marsh of the ALIBI for assistance, leaving my cell phone number and location stressing we were NOT in any danger but may need assistance. Chadwick Bay Marina was unable to help either. Captain Marsh explained that he had a charter and would be out shortly.
Meanwhile the waves got bigger, so to take our mind off of the situation we started to fish again with better luck. Seeing that big white boat coming to our aid was special. Ray and I pulled up anchor and tied up the tow line and settled back for the ride home watching as a storm kept coming in quickly from the west.
Safe at home at Bart's Cove, we packed up and headed for Ray's house so he could hurry off to work. I returned and walked to the end of the pier later to personally thank Captain Bud Marsh and his partner Captain Dan Korzenski for taking time out from their busy day to help us. While I snapped the photo of the guys busy finishing cleaning up the last of 172 yellow perch caught by Korzenski, Mike Porpiglia, Joe Granata and Rich Pencik, I (and Ray) sure was glad to be safe on shore when the storm hit. Thanks again Captain Bud Marsh, Dan Korzenski and the ALIBI.
Calendar:
Ken Hollander and Willie Fedrick will resume the free fly tying clinics on Monday evenings at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club starting at 6 p.m. NOT 7 p.m. this Monday. All equipment, vises and materials are provided FREE. You are invited. Note that the start times for these courses will be 6 p.m. not 7 p.m.
Waterfowl hunters are advised that a waterfowl information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge maintenance building. It's open to the public.
The Westportland Baptist church members are proud to announce that they will host their annual "Sportsmans Dinner" on Friday, Sept. 28. The dinner, which will be a wild game buffet, featuring moose, swiss steak and other delights, will take place at the Westfield Fire Exempt Hall located on Bourne Street, in Westfield. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. This year's event will feature Steve Chapman, who is an accomplished hunter, speaker, song writer and an award winning vocalist. Chapman will share his hunting knowledge and experience with the audience and treat you to some of his award-winning songs. The entire event is FREE, but you must make reservations by calling the WPBC at 753-3812. See you there!
Clymer Conservation, located on Route 474, in Clymer, will host an archery course on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Students must pre-register at the club on Sept. 15 from 8-10 a.m.
Hunter Education Courses (gun) will be held:
On Sept. 21 from 6-10 p.m., returning on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until done at the Harmony Conservation Club located on Route 474, Panama. Students must pre-register by e mail: gun-bow-safeteach@hotmail.com.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
On Sept. 21 from 6-10 p.m., returning Sept. 22 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Falconer Rod & Gun Club located on Buffalo Street Extension, Falconer. Students must pre-register on Sept. 7 from 6-7 p.m. at the club.
Falconer Rod & Gun Club located on the Buffalo Street Extension in Falconer, is scheduled to host a trapping course on Sept. 26 & 28 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Both days. Two day attendance necessary for certification.
The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club has scheduled a two-day trapping course on Oct. 18 & 19 from 6 -10 p.m. You must pre-register by phone by calling Roger Witt at 595-3418.
There is a two-day trapping course at the Westfield Fish & Game Club on October 5 from 6-10 p.m. returning on Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Register at the first class.
Ray Marks will be offering a six-week fly fishing course starting Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. The course will cover the basics of fly fishing, casting, flies to use, where to fish, etc. Contact Marks at 549-1977, or enroll by calling Lake Shore Community Education at 926-2210.
Fly tying classes will resume on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. starting Sept. 10 at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. Called "Country Kids on the Fly" the group allows anyone aged 8- 100 to learn how to tie their own fishing flies . All tools and materials are provided free. Adults are welcome and encouraged to tie flies also so fly fishing can become a family hobby. Parents must accompany their kids to the first class as important papers will need to be filled out. For more information call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
The Gowanda Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Fall Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Cattaraugus Creek. Sign-in gets under way at 5 a.m. at the Gowanda Moose Club, located on Aldrich Street. The tournament begins at sunrise and is a catch-and-release event following DEC rules and regulations, with tournament personnel on site to measure and weigh-in the catch. There will be awards, door prizes and food for the participants at the Moose Club after 3:30 p.m. For more information, log on to www.gowandanychamber.org, or call 532-2834 or 532-2288.
