The Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen held its monthly meeting at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club Harmony Camp last Wednesday.
Assemblyman Andy Goodell was in attendance and gave the audience a run down on what transpired this year in regards to certain legislation that pertains to hunting and fishing.
Several questions were offered from the audience, including: Will the legal age for youth be lowered anytime soon and why is the current process of pistol permit background checks so slow?
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OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
Assemblyman Andrew Goodell recently attended the August meeting of the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen.
Goodell's reply was that currently there is no movement to lower the legal age for youths interested in hunting, but that legislation will continue to be addressed, and hopefully pushed through.
Goodell also requested more information as to why the current state background check process is so slow. According to one party, there used to be three people that did background checks, and now that process has been placed upon one part-time employee. Goodell promised to investigate.
Goodell also extended an apology for not being able to attend the joint Erie County/Chautauqua County VIP fishing trip held in July. Goodell had a previous engagement and had to send his delegate, who happened to have a great time and will probably want to attend again. In regards to the crossbow bill, on the last day of session, Representative Ryan proposed to extend the current crossbow bill the way it stands. A second bill was submitted by Assemblyman Sweeny that was very restrictive. In the end, the Assembly felt it was better to submit a split vote rather than no vote and elected to keep the bill as is for two more years. This bill can be addressed next year and a proposal to submit a bill for our returning Wounded Warriors and Disabled American Veterans to have use of crossbows for hunting may see daylight.
In regards to the Chautauqua County Rifle Bill, it has a two-year sunset clause. Goodell would like to see the sunset clause eliminated. The area of legal use would not expand north of Route 20. Goodell did extensive research on the matter of hunting with rifles and also found the implement is safer than shotguns, using fewer shots to hit targets, most rifle users also use scopes, and no fatalities were attributed to the use of rifles last year. Assemblyman Goodell also had high praise for the recent efforts of County Executive Greg Edwards and all concerned in the aggressive approach taken to seek out and eliminate the threat of invasive species, especially water chestnuts. Goodell retired for the evening, promising to continue to serve the interests of sportsmen whenever possible.
Calendar:
Those hunters who would like to participate in the early goose season will need to have a valid small game license or sportsman's license from the 2011-12 time period. They will also need to get the new HIP number by calling 1-888-427-5447. You will also need to purchase a new duck stamp or migratory bird stamp.
His Way Archers, located at 31 Water St., Jamestown, will host a two-day archery course beginning Sept. 5 from 6-10 p.m. and returning on Sept. 6 from 6-10 p.m. Two-day attendance is mandatory for certification. Register at the first class.
The Jamestown Rifle Club located at Busti-Still-Water Road, Busti, will host a course on Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. You must pre-register at the club on Aug. 31 from 6-7 p.m.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will host an archery course Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Students must pre-register on Sept. 5 from 6-8 p.m. Class is limited to 40 students.
The Ripley Rod & Gun Club, located off Route 76, in Ripley, will host a two-day archery course, beginning on Sept. 13, from 6-10 p.m., returning on Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Register at the first class.
Ellington Rod & Gun Club, located at Hagendon Hill Road, Ellington, will host a two-day archery course on Sept. 14 from 6-10 p.m., returning on Sept. 15 from 7 a.m. until noon. Must pre-register by calling Neal Frazier at 287- 2120.
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. 7 from 5-10 p.m. and returning Sept. 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ellery Rod & Gun Club located on Pancake Hill Road in Ellery. Students must pre-register on Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. until noon at the club.
On Sept. 7 from 6-10 p.m., returning on Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. until done at the Mayville Conservation Club located on Bloomer Road, Mayville. Students must pre-register by email at gun-bow-safeteach@hotmail.com.
On Sept. 18, from 6-9:30 p.m., returning on Sept. 20 from 6-9:30 p.m. and ending on Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Ripley Rod & Gun Club located off Route 76, Ripley. Register at the first class.
On Sept. 19 from 5:45 p.m. until 10 p.m., returning on Sept. 22 from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Carroll Rod & Gun Club, located on Frew Run Road, Frewsburg. Students must pre-register at the club on Sept. 15 from from 10 a.m. until noon.
On Sept. 19-20 from 5-10 p.m. both days at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located on Mullet St. Dunkirk. Students must pre-register at the club on Sept. 5 from 6-8 p.m. NOTE: This course like many of the other sites is limited to 40 students only and fills up fast, so check the other locations and dates as a back up.
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
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.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will host a trapping course Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Students should bring a lunch.
The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club will host 3-D archery shoots on Aug. 26 and Sept. 2, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. 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.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
