Submitted Photo Gary Pleva displays a heavy lake trout caught recently on Lake Erie.

I am saddened to report that there is no movement on the Crossbow bill that once again got stalled in legislation. There were a lot of bowmen in Western New York that were hoping for improvements in the crossbow regulation. Anyone who suffers the infirmities of old age or physical handicaps would be in favor of allowing the use of crossbows during the archery season. Even if the entire season was not up for consideration, any piece of the lengthy archery season would have been a step in the right direction.

As one of our local pinochle players tends to express the obvious by saying, “But NO…”, the cross bow bill died in the Senate and the Assembly Environmental Committees. We can hope for next year, but don’t hold your breath.

On the plus side, there was no further action on the proposal by New York City Assembleywoman Linda Rosenthal to close the State’s last pheasant rearing station. The proposal to ban hunting contests submitted by another New York City politician also failed to gain ground. You win some, you lose some.

If you are interested in the sport of falconry, becoming a wildlife re-habilitator or using a leashed tracking dog for the purpose of retrieving big game animals, note that the exams issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation will be on Friday, Aug. 9. The exams will run from 10 a.m. until noon at most DEC regional offices across the State. The deadline for registering to take these free exams is this Friday, July 19. You can find these registration forms on the DEC’s Special License website. For more information on these subjects go to SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov. or call (518)402-8985.

The Southtowns Walleye Association recently concluded their 35th Anniversary Walleye Derby. Tournament Chairman Rob Kroh, along with a dedicated committee, came up with a number of interesting incentives to make this year’s event a big success. One of the events was the “Have U Seen Us” sticker. Members purchased the sticker and had to display it near a sign that announced its location. For instance, pose in front of the “Welcome to Fredonia” sign while holding the sticker. Whoever submitted the furthest destination won a prize valued at several hundred dollars. The stickers cost $3. They had entries from Peru, Germany, England, Scotland and Bali. The winner was a Mr. Ruskweitalski, who sent his photo from Melbourne, Australia. Tough to beat.

Calendar: The Sunset Bay Shootout is next weekend. The payout is expected to be over $200,000. For details go to www.walleyeshootout.com.

June 29 – July 28 is the 10th annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer derby. Go to www.loc.org.

July 22 at 4:30 p.m. the Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold an organizational meeting, at Liberty Vineyards in Sheridan, for the JAKES Day Youth event. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Westfield Fish & Game Club. The meeting is open to the public. They need more volunteers for the Jakes Day event so please stop by.

July 19-20 is the Sunset Bay Shootout. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137.

July 28 is the Chautauqua Lake Summer Bass Team OPEN. At Chautauqua Lake, Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at (716) 640-6915.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tournament is Aug. 2-4. Contact person is Zen Olow at 640-2776.

VIP Day is Aug, 7. Contact Zen Olow at 640-2776.

Aug. 11 is the Chautauqua Bassmasters Tournament No. 3 on Chautauqua Lake/Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at 640-6915. Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.innovative-outdoors.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.