It's Labor Day weekend and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the individuals who donate their time to instruct the hunter safety training, archery/trapping courses every year, in order to keep our outdoors safe.
You readers may have noticed that the calendar section has been rather lengthy lately to include all the available pre-mentioned courses. It is encouraging that many of these classes are filling to capacity, and in some cases, very quickly. Instructors are asked to find the time from their personal lives to instruct these students. In this day and age, the outspoken lament is how the age of volunteerism is waning. Yet every year enough instructors manage to find the time to fill the need. Thank you for your labor of love!
In an article written by Jim Monteleone in the Safari Club International publication, Monteleone recapped the presentation given by Senior Department of Environmental Conservation Biologist Tim Spierto at the August meeting of SCI. In the article, Spierto announced there were more than 80 nuisance bear calls and eight (bear) road kills this year. Last year in Region 9, the bear take was 204. In regards to the deer population, Spierto commented that there will be plenty of Deer Management permits available this year, with very good chances for a permit in most of our areas, and pretty good for a second permit if you select 9 G-H-A- and possibly 9J.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
Bruce MaGee caught this 10 pound brown trout while fishing over 105 feet of water with a renosky stick bait on the down riggers, earlier in August. Anglers continue to hook up with trout offshore while focusing on walleye.
My apologies for printing that Opening Day of the early goose season was on Sunday. It actually started yesterday. I did mention that the early goose season used to be refereed to as the nuisance goose season. In the recent "Special 75th Anniversary Issue" of Ducks Unlimited magazine, there were two short pieces that I thought you readers might enjoy. On page 16 there was an article titled "Crash & Burn" which reported a Canada goose in Alberta, Canada flew into some power lines and burst into flame starting a prairie grass fire that destroyed three acres of grassland before the fire department was able to put out the fire. The firemen traced the result of the fire to the the smoldering remains of the goose under the wire. The firemen's quick response saved a potential catastrophic fire, due to one of the worst droughts on record for that area.
This story is supposedly true and dates back to 1997. Two Cajun hunters arrived in the dark at a friend's duck blind before sun-up. The bugs were biting something fierce and the hunters found a can of "bug" spray under the seat of the blind taking turns spraying each other and the retriever(dog). As the sun came up they realized that the "sticky" bug spray was in fact a can of camo spray paint.
One last tip: A very good fisherman/outdoorsman friend tipped me off that he has been doing very well on yellow perch out of the "Cat" in about 67 feet of water. They have been using a "secret" bait. Sliced slivers of calamari which is a squid-like creature found in the seafood section of Tops grocery store. I paid $6 for six frozen calamari and I paid $7 for 24 golden shiners. I'll let you know how it works if I can get a chance. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
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.
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 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.
