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Hunting licenses now on sale

Sportsman’s Journal

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek The City of Dunkirk Pier/boat launch area was recently paved and was closed off from the public on Wednesday evening.

If you are a hunter that lives in this area, the chances are pretty good that you also fish.

This is a heads up that the new hunting licenses go on sale today. A lot of hunters purchase their fishing license at the same time so check the expiration date on your fishing license to make sure that it is still valid. Before you know it archery season will be here. Now would be a good time to break out the archery equipment and sling a few. Get your body ready for the challenges ahead this year, and think positive about tagging out. This year should be a good one judging by all the early reports of deer being sighted.

If you intend to go fishing out of Dunkirk today, you may have to pick an alternate boat launch site. There was a small notice in the OBSERVER that the City Pier renovation project would be black topping the area leading to the boat launch. Weather reportedly prevented the project from happening on Tuesday, so the black top was applied Wednesday. That area was still blocked off at 7 p.m. with no word on when it would be re-opened. If you are a member of the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, you can utilize their launch, which I must stress is open for club members ONLY. A stones throw away is Bart’s Cove, which also has a boat launch open to the public, charging a small fee. The black top project looks appealing, but timing is everything. Good thing they are not pouring concrete.

Mum’s the word on fishing reports with the Con Club three day walleye tournament starting on Friday. The last report was anglers should stay in the 60 to 69 foot range, with stick baits being the top baits. If you are looking for hawgs you may have to go 100 feet plus. Yellow perch continue to bite, but you may have to change your tactics. Anglers report having to move around from 40 to 60 feet looking for active schools. Also watch your electronics. The fish will rise off the bottom, so drop your bait and slowly reel up every so often. As much as 10 feet, at times. Salted minnows are the main offering.

Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut commented that the walleye bite is still steady at Chautauqua Lake in shallow water and near drop offs. Large mouth bass, musky and pan fish have also been active. It looks like there might be some good weather for the Con Club derby this year. Look for daily coverage in the OBSERVER.

Calendar: Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will conduct JAKES Day Youth event on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Westfield Fish & Game Club. Registration will start at 9 a.m. Fee is $10 per youth. Numerous hands-on learning stations and lunch will be provided for all. Open to the public. For more information contact Bob Turk at 673-6703. The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tournament is Aug. 2-4. Contact person is Zen Olow at 640-2776. Daily coverage in the OBSERVER.

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

The Sportsmans Rendezvous at the Cattaraugus County County Fair Grounds in Little Valley will be from Aug. 8-10. Call 716-474-7251 or 244-2781 for details.

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 is August 23-24. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.innovative-outdoors.com.

There will be a Hunter Safety Training Course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Aug. 21 and 22 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Two day attendance is mandatory. There will be a bow course at the Con Club on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The trapping course will be on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club will host: Bow Course on Aug. 14 and 15, from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The Hunter Education Course will be on Aug. 28 and 29, from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

There will be a bow Course at the Westfield Fish & Game Club on Sept. 11 and 12, from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. There will be a Trapping Course at the Falconer Rod & Gun Club on Sept. 25 and 27, from 5:30 p.m. until 10. For more information Call Gary at 366-3397.

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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