OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek People have seen this nice 8 point buck running inside the NRG fence line along with several other deer.

Here is hoping you had a Merry Christmas and continue with a Happy New Year!

The continued warm weather in the lower elevations is bringing a lot of smiles from the ‘over the hill gang!’ that struggle to walk or drive on ice and snow, myself included. Snow mobilers and skiers will probably get their share later, but for now we will settle for a green Christmas.

Most launch facilities have pulled their floating docks for the winter, but duck hunters and a few hardy anglers can still find water way access. I have talked with a few veteran anglers who recall memorable off shore trips for yellow perch, during warm winters and one angler confided that long line trolling stick baits off Van Buren reef during the daytime and night will yield walleye and trout. The down side is there is no one else around if you run into trouble so be prepared if you do go.

Rick Miller in Irving reported that a few anglers have been hitting the creeks, as well as trying their luck on frozen smaller sized local ponds. New Albion Lake has also seen some ice fishing prior to the recent warm spell. Check for more fishing information on Monday.

If you are considering the purchase of a cross bow after Christmas keep in mind that there is a 200 pound maximum draw weight restriction and a minimum 17 inch width restriction. If you are up in age like I am, you may want to look into spending a little more money and getting a model that is easier to draw back etc. Be prepared to write your legislatures to expand the legal cross bow season. Two bills were proposed last year that would have allowed senior hunters and those with physical handi-caps to use cross bows all during the archery season, but the bills never made it out of committee, due to strong opposition from New York Bow hunters Inc. In addition, youth hunters in New York cannot use cross bows until they are 14 years of age, while 12 and 13 year olds may legally use compound bows. We need to attract more hunters to our sport, not prohibit and distract.

On the plus side I spoke with Joe Fisher from the Erie County Sport Fishery Advisory Board and Joe commented that the NY Conservation Council recently received enough financial support to operate in the black, at least for awhile. Thanks to the efforts of some major manufactures and organizations the NYSCC keeps an eye out for potential harmful legislation that would impact the rights of gun owners, trappers, hunters and fishermen, as well as lobby for improvements on state land, fishing programs, fresh water and other natural resources and access to these areas.

Calendar: Lakeshore Longbeards annual membership/fundraiser banquet, will be held on Jan. 18, 2020 at the Koscuisko Club in Dunkirk. Nearly 20 firearms will be raffled off at this event. You can purchase tickets by calling Gary Burmaster at 672-4520. The banquet committee will be meeting at Liberty Vineyards Winery located at Route 20 in Sheridan on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020 at 7 p.m. It will be open to the public.

Speaking of the Longbeards, high school seniors are invited to apply for a college scholarship from the Longbeards worth $250 or more. If interested, go to www.NWTF.org, select Resource Library, and fill out the application. Submit the completed application by the Jan. 6 deadline. The committee will select the winner the same day and the award will be presented at the banquet. You can also pick up an application at Liberty Vineyards. Call 672-4520 for more information.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will have FREE fly tying instruction at their club located at the foot of Mullet Street in Dunkirk (turn towards the lake at the Country Fair store) starting on Monday January 06/2020. from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. All materials and equipment will be provided FREE. You get to keep your creations.. No sign-up required and open to all levels of expertise. A great way to pass the winter doldrums.

Duck Season in our area (Western Zone) is a split season, that re-opened Nov. 30 until Jan. 5. Canada Goose season for our area, which is considered the South, is from Oct. 26 to Jan. 13, with a daily bag limit of five geese per day.

Children of the Stream will present weekly free fly-tying classes every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Costello Room in the Rockefeller Art Center at the State University of New York Fredonia, starting Aug. 27. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free.

On Jan. 4, 2020, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club will be sponsoring free fly tying classes for youths and adults. These courses will be absolutely free and all materials and equipment will be provided. The classes will continue for the next three Saturdays at the Lakewood Club from 9 a.m. until noon. Free pizzas and beverages will also be provided. Instruction will be provided by the mentors from Kids On the Fly.

The Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo held at the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls Street Niagara Falls will be on January 17-19th. For more info go to www.NiagaraFishingExpo.com.

Southtowns Walleye Outfitters Fair will be on February 8th 2020 at the club. Want to sell items? $25 per table. Call 796-5372 or 864-2938. No guns or ammunition.

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.