×

Please let nature be while in its midst

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek A nice box of yellow perch caught locally.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation urges the public to leave young deer (fawns) and other baby wildlife undisturbed. The motto is “If You Care! Leave it There!”

The DEC cautioned visitors to nature areas to not interact with new born fawns and other wildlife. If you see a fawn enjoy the encounter, but keep a safe distance, leave the area quickly and do not touch the animal. People that find young animals quickly assume that they are abandoned and defenseless. Human interaction, in many cases, typically causes more harm than good. When humans are around, the adults will sometimes leave the young.

Many fawns are born during the months of May and June. When the fawns are born, the mother will leave the fawn to lie still, relying on it’s natural coloration and lack of motion to avoid detection. The mother will return usually only to nurse the fawns. Do not pick up the fawns.

Human presence will prevent the doe from returning to nurse the fawn. They usually nurse four times daily. The does avoid staying near fawn to help keep predators from detecting their presence. In two weeks, the fawns will start to move and hang with the mother. They also begin to eat grass and leaves. At 10 weeks of age they are no longer dependent on mother’s milk, but may continue to nurse occasionally into the fall. By the fall, the fawns will lose their spots. One final note is that keeping wildlife is illegal and harmful to the animal.

If you check out the latest issue of Field & Stream magazine, they have a section of short stories involving unusual interactions of humans and nature. This month’s storyline involved a kayaker, who was attacked by two swans. During the encounter, the man tipped over his kayak and lost his wallet, cell phone and possessions. Swans are not called wild life for nothing!

After another adventure for walleye, my crew returned to the Chadwick Bay boat launch and talked with anglers who had some success at the Dunkirk Perch grounds. The pair had 30 perch to show for their effort using minnows that they caught at the river. The perch were nice size. Bass fishermen seem to be having a good time, enjoying the weather on Saturday. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!

Calendar:

The 13th annual “Teach Me to Fish” day at the Bison City Rod & Gun Club is on Sunday, May 28 from 2-5 p.m. The event is for kids 15 years of age and under, who would like to learn about fishing. There will be numerous hands-on learning stations, free prize hand outs and Shale hotdogs. The event is free. Bison City R&G is located at 511 Ohio St., Buffalo, N.Y.

There will be a pistol permit course held at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on May 28 from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. There is a mandatory fee of $75 for the course. For details call Gary Dude at 366-3397.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Take-A-Kid-Fishing Day is Saturday, June 3. Applications for attending this event are now available at the Con Club. New kids get a free fishing rod and reel, and all youths 15 years of age and under receive a T-shirt, grab bag of fishing gear, a morning of fishing and hands on activities at the Con Club from 10 a.m. until noon. Picnic cuisine is also served for all who attend and help. There is a $10 fee to offset the cost, but the smiles and memories are priceless! All kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you know someone who would like to attend, you can contact me also at 366-1772 and leave a name and phone number and a time you can be reached. Sign up soon, the event is six days away. Many of the old favorite hands on activities will return as well as some new shooting stations from Cabalelas.

The Orvis Buffalo store recently announced they will be holding offering beginner classes at their store located at 4545 Transit Road, Williamsburg. Classes are on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. For details go to www.orvis.com/ buffalo or call 276-7200.

The Southtowns Walleye Association will be holding their annual nine-day walleye tournament for members only starting on June 10 until the 18th. Membership is $35, and entry fee is $35 for a total of $70. This is a Big Fish tournament, with 200 chances (or more ) to win. Deadline for entry is June 9 until 8 p.m. at the SWA Club . You can register and enter locally at Bill’s Hook’s Lake Shore Drive west or call 366-0268. They also have a huge prize lottery for just entering. For details you can also call the club located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg at 649-8202, where their monthly meetings are held.

Boating safety courses offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 34 will be held on June 17 Paddle Sports America at CNRC Center from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and June 24 at the Ashville Flasher, 5338 Stow Road, Ashville from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For information, or to register, call Judy at 785-2198.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any 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, ext. 5, after 6 p.m.

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

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today