Local Sports

Sacilowski, Richter enjoy hunting success

Opening Day of  big game firearms season got under way Saturday.

Predictions are the peak of the rut should be in full swing during the first week of the season.

Last year was less than ideal for deer hunting, so there should be numerous older deer available. If archery season has been any indicator for what's in store, you have a  good chance of tagging the deer of a lifetime this year, provided you put in the effort.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, 14-year-old Nick Sacilowski was hunting with his father, Tony Sacilowski, in Mayville. It was windy and the the shadows were starting to get long when Nick decided to utilize his grunt call. The hunters were situated in a reliable wooded area near a funnel. Just like they drew it up on the text book, a nice 8-point came into view. The buck was 35 yards away, but Nick had been practicing all summer long, and his shot was a perfect double lung/heart shot. The deer took off, but dropped about 50 yards away in view of the two hunters. Tony has been hunting for about 30 years, and admitted with a smile, Nick set the bar pretty high after tagging his first bow buck. Congratulations.

Vinnie Richter was hunting in his tree stand  in Forestville on Saturday, Nov. 12. The morning was nice and cold, about 28 degrees in the morning, and the stand was hot with activity with Vinnie spotting 4-bucks. Vinnie decided to stick it out as  the day warmed up to about 48 degrees by the evening. He was using a doe in heat scent, and was delighted to watch as a big 10-point followed the drag trail right up to his stand, presenting a 15-yard broadside shot. Richter drew back and  sent a mechanical broad head tipped arrow into the boiler maker, and the dart did it's job. The buck traveled about 60 yards, and Vinnie watched it drop. He then called his brother, Tony Richter, and his friend, Dan Gleason, and after waiting for their arrival, they retrieved the trophy. A quick green score on the 10 point measured out to a 151 and 2/8 score. Congratulations!

Calendar:

There will be a pistol permit course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There is a $75 fee for this course. For more information, contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397.

The Lakeshore Longbeards announced its annual membership/fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Kosciuszko Club, located in Dunkirk.  The Longbeards will meet again on Wednesday Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards. Tickets for the banquet will be available, as well as other information. Banquet tickets would make a nice Christmas gift for the turkey hunter on your gift list.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will once again initiate its "Hunters Helping the Hungry" non-perishable food collection during big-game season. Con Club members are asked to bring their canned or dry goods to the club on Tuesdays. The items will then be distributed to local agencies for distribution during the Christmas holidays.

The Food Bank Association of NYS and the Venison Donation Coalition are teaming up to help eliminate hunger in NYS. If you have a legally tagged and properly dressed deer you would like to donate at NO COST to the hunter, call 1-866-862-3337 or locate a processor at www.venisondonation.org. Thanks for your support!

Free Monday night fly tying classes have resumed at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located at the foot of Mullet Street, in Dunkirk. All materials, including tying vises, are provided free. The course is from 6-8 p.m. No sign up or registration is necessary. Students get to keep their flies, too. Bring a friend. Scout leaders are encouraged to stop by and bring their charges. This course is geared for pre-teens and those older, and is connected with Kids on the Fly. Instructors will be on hand to guide novice and veteran fly tyers. Note that often there are delicious home made cookies too!

Alberto Rey announced the Children in the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program will begin its 18th year of providing free fly fishing classes to children and adults on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. The program is currently underway and will continue until June 13, except for Nov. 21, Dec. 19-26, Jan. 2, Jan. 16, March 13 and May 29. Classes will be in the Costello Community Room (P84) on the first floor of the addition to Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. For more information, contact Rey at alberto.rey@fredonia.edu. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided. This is great for beginners and veteran tyers alike.

Larry Spicer will be running numerous gun shows around the area. His next show is at the Hickory Post VFW at 5550 East State Street, at US Route 62, East off Pa. Route 18, West of Mercer on 62 on Nov. 19-20 .

The December show is at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located at 7275 Buffalo Road, US Route 20 between North East, Pa. and Harborcreek, Pa., on Dec. 17-18. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sundays. Call 792-9972 or go to www.LRgunshows@gmail.com for more information.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or other outdoors event and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048 or call the Sports Dept. at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000 after 5 p.m. at ext. 5.

Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.