The Dunkirk city pier was close to overflowing on Wednesday afternoon. OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek.

Deer season is winding down rapidly. Muzzleloader season is from Dec. 9 until Dec. 17. This same time frame includes late bow season and the use of crossbows.

Waterfowl are currently plentiful, but hunting conditions are not always ideal for this opportunity to materialize. The same can be said for fishing locally. On Wednesday afternoon, the City of Dunkirk pier was close to being underwater at the north end. Bart’s Cove was being immersed and local creeks were running high, fast and muddy. Rick Miller in Irving reported similar conditions for Silver, Walnut and Cattaraugus creeks. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut reported that the southern end of Chautauqua Lake had developed some skim ice that quickly disappears with a warming trend.

Windy conditions on Wednesday were impeding ice production, even though the temperatures were well below freezing. Despite Wednesday blizzard conditions the weather forecast is calling for another warming trend later in the week. So welcome to weather in Western New York.

Speaking of weather conditions, Mr. Steve Duhamel of Alberta, Canada commented that the folks that live in his area experience snow fall in September and it lasts usually until May. Temperatures dropping to 50 degrees below zero are not uncommon and snow fall measured by the foot is also common place. Steve Duhamel and his son Ryan were looking forward to doing some ice fishing at a near by lake in his area, where they would target pike in the 30 pound range. Ryan Duhamel was the 13-year-old hunter that had tagged a 10-point buck with a green score of 193 and 5/8. Steve Duhamel, his father, commented that the does in Alberta, Canada get to be so large they rival the size of Texas mule deer bucks. Wow!

I have it on good authority that Santa Claus will be stopping by at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Saturday around 2 p.m. Enjoy!

Calendar: The Western New York Safari Club Will host their 25th annual game dinner on Friday, Dec. 13 at Michael’s Banquet Facility located at 4885 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg. The doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. There is a $45 donation. For information call Terry at 472-2380.

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.

Upcoming gun shows include: Dec. 14-15 at the Harbor Creek Fire Dept Social Hall located at 7275 Buffalo Road – US Route 20 (located between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA. Shows are from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Adults are $5 and children under the age of 12 are free. For more information contact Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.com or website LRsportingevents.com.

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. Theses courses will be absolutely free. All materials and equipment will be provided. These FREE 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. You are invited.

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.