We are getting into the lean weeks of the regular deer season, when most every tag is earned, usually with the help of at least one hunter.
The lack of snow has made for easier walking, but puts the deer at the advantage for low visibility. Al Forbes, of Cassadaga, took a nice trophy-sized buck back on Nov. 3, in the Town of Charlotte. Forbes hastened three large bucks over the course of two days and finally was able to put his climber tree stand in position for a successful shot.
Forbes commented that he was under the gun when he took his deer at 10 a.m. that day, as Fredonia High School was playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium against Cleveland Hill, in the Section 6 Class C final, so he had to pick up the pace dragging out his prize.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
Cassadaga resident Al Forbes with a 170-pound, 9-point bow buck he shot Nov. 3.
I checked with Forbes this weekend to see how his family was doing during the shotgun portion, and learned that things have been on the slow side during shotgun season. Last year was slow for Forbes, but his son harvested a nice buck while hunting without his dad.
I have been trying to find out more information on the local bear harvest for this year. One lady stopped me on Saturday and reported a relative of hers had shot a video of a large black bear that traveled under his tree stand in Zoar Valley. The hunter just opted not to shoot the bruin.
In the December issue of 'Grass Roots', a publication from the NYS Conservation Council Inc., there was a refreshing story from Executive Program Director Bob Brown entitled, "Harvesting My First Buck."
Brown, according to the story, was 18 years-old at the time and traveled to the western southern tier for his opportunity to tag a buck. Brown's trip down memory lane included the hospitality of his relatives, the experience of eating homemade meals and sleeping under a goose down quilt for the first time. The hunt was relived, including the circumstances, which lead up to his friend Bruce tagging a buck while on post, and later Brown tagging his buck while putting on a drive. The venison is long gone, but the stories, especially if properly told, will go on indefinitely. Do you have a story you would like to share? Call 366-1772, 467-2079 or 366-3000, ext. 5, after 5 p.m.
My friend, Zen Olow, showed me a photo of a bird he had spied running around in his Fredonia backyard. The bird was slightly longer than a pheasant and had a long trailing tail that was white and speckled with black flecks. The body of the bird was also black and white. It made no attempt to fly and has not been seen since last week. Olow suspects it might be an escaped exotic.
Virginia, according to a recent report, has joined with New York State in banning the transportation of deer bagged in Pennsylvania into their state because of the detection of chronic wasting disease in the northern state. The prohibition involves the transportation of whole carcasses of deer killed in Pa. Only portions of the dressed animal are allowed, which includes boned meat that is cut and wrapped, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached and antlers with no meat or tissue attached.
Calendar:
The local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lakeshore Longbeards, will host its next meeting on Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., at Liberty Vineyards, located on Route 20, in Sheridan. Topic of discussion will include the upcoming membership banquet to be held on Feb. 9, 2013, at the Kosciuszko Club, in Dunkirk.
Also on the agenda will be scholarship submissions. All local high school seniors are invited to participate. For more information, find the National Wild Turkey Federation online, and look for scholarship information.
The SAREP Youth Fly Fishing Program will continue its 14th season of free fly tying and fly fishing classes on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Fredonia Middle School Cafeteria. Field trips will occur shortly afterwards. Classes are free and are open to children and community members. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The classes will continue to meet every Monday until early summer.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club also will host free fly tying instruction compliments of Willie Fedrick, Jeffrey Rasmus, Ken Hollander and Monte Kennedy on Monday evenings starting at 6 p.m. All are welcome. This would be a great opportunity for young boy or girl scouts to earn merit badges for learning how to tie flies and learn about fishing.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will resume its annual Hunters Helping the Hungry program. On Tuesdays, Con Club members are urged to bring a non-perishable food item with them. All donations will be distributed to the needy in the community through the efforts of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Youth Organization during the Christmas season.
Fly tying classes have resumed on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m., at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. All tools and materials are provided free. For more information, call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
