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Plenty of deer leaves hunters feeling optimistic

Sportsman’s Journal

Submitted Photo Frank Sysol tagged a nice healthy 11-point buck, with a 19 1/2 inch spread, that weighed in at 187 pounds at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Opening Day.

Opening Day of Deer Season (firearms) was a lot better this year than last, according to several hunters I spoke with. More deer sightings and deer signs than last year, and the deer seem to be fat and healthy.

The first call I received was from my buddy Lance Ehrhardt, reporting that his wife Joann and cousin Louis Marrara both had shot nice bucks in the Town of Pomfret, within 15 minutes of each other. One was an 8-point, while the other was a 9-point that looked nearly identical in size and shape, with similar racks.

Around noon, I took a ride towards Lake Erie State Park to check in with Mark Haines, proprietor of 12-Point Deer Processing. Mark commented that the deer were coming in at a steady pace, and all of the deer were in nice shape. He commented that bow season was very slow, with high winds and lots of precipitation. Firearms season should be a lot better.

Checking in at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, the report was that Frank Sysol had the top buck entered with an 11-point rack with a 19 1/2 inch spread, weighing in at 187 pounds. My other contact and friend, Gary Pleva, commented that things were pretty quiet around his neck of the woods, with legal shooting hours at 7:11 a.m., but no shots being fired until after 8 a.m. On the plus side, Gary did comment that he is seeing lots of deer signs in the areas he is hunting.

It’s early and there are a lot of deer out there, so hunters can remain optimistic. The next big deer day after opening weekend is Thursday — Thanksgiving — and the long range weather forecast looks favorable. Hunt safe. It’s a good idea to wear at least some hunter orange when going afield this time of year.

Calendar: There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Sunday, Nov. 25 from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. There is a mandatory $80 fee for taking this class. To register or for more information call Gary at 366- 3397.

There will be a gun show today at the Hickory Post VFW located at 5550 East state Street. U.S. Route 62 East of PA. — West of Mercer on 62, Hermitage, PA, 16148.

Conservation Club members are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to the club on Tuesdays during hunting season for the Hunters Helping the Hungry program. All canned food items will be donated to charity during the Christmas holidays. Thanks!

The Lakeshore Longbeards, our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, will be having their next meeting on Tuesday, at Liberty Vineyards Winery, located on Route 20 in Sheridan. The agenda will include the introduction of the new Regional Director Brain Gottfried, as well as a look at what will be available for the 2019 membership drive/fundraiser. The banquet date has been set for Saturday, Jan. 19. The meetings are always open to the public.

On Saturday, Dec. 29, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Erie County Trappers Association, will be conducting a free trappers seminar at the Collins Conservation Club located at 2633 Conger Road, Collins, NY The show will have lots of activities pertaining to how to handle your pelts, furs, and similar activities. There will also be other activities like raffles, games for the kids, fur hats and trapping supplies for sale, and the kitchen will be open. This is a free event. For more information contact Patti at 337-2556.

Free Monday night fly tying instruction has resumed on Monday nights at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located at Mullet Street in Dunkirk. Classes are for all levels of fly tying, but especially for beginners. No equipment is necessary. All participants get to keep their productions. Classes are from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The classes are open to the public. Sometimes they even have homemade cookies!

The Children of the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program will be starting its 18th year of providing weekly free fly tying and fly fishing classes to both youths and adults in our area. Note that classes will switch from Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to Tuesday evenings at the Costello Community Room (P84) in the new addition to the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. You do not need any prior experience to attend these classes, and the course is geared towards ages 10 and older. For more information contact Alberto Rey at 410-7003 or alberto@albertorey.com.

On Dec. 8 and 9, a gun show at Harbor Creek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located at 7275 Buffalo Road, US Route 20 located between North East, PA and Harbor Creek, PA. For details or information, contact Larry Spicer at 716-792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.com.

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, NY 14048, or call the sports department 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. or email sports@observertoday.com.

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