Submitted Photo Deer activity will ramp up this time of year.

The Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the DEC Region 9 deer and bear checkpoint located on Route 16 in Holland , Erie County, will be closed this year during the big-game, season-opening weekend. The station will be closed due to the Social distancing requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The DEC plans for the station to be open next year. DEC Region 9 director Abby Snyder wishes all hunters a safe and successful season. The DEC wildlife team plans on obtaining regional harvest information by visiting deer processors, and relying on data obtained from mandatory tag reports.

Deer hunters also note that leftover deer management permits,, also known as doe permits, went on sale Nov. 1. Hunters may apply for up to two additional permits on a first come, first served basis at any DEC license sales outlet. Areas that had permits available were:WMU’s 9A, 9F and 9G,. WMU 1C, 3M, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R. 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8N, 8R, as well as 4J 3S and 8C (bow hunting only). In addition bonus DMPs are available for hunters who successfully take an anterless deer in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J or 8C. The DEC encourages hunters to focus on does and let the young bucks go.

That major walleye tournament coming to Chautauqua Lake next October is run by a group called “Head 2 Head Pro Walleye Series.” The group is small and you can learn more about them by going to https://h2hfishing .com/pws/. In short, the competition will feature 32 anglers with a $3,000 entry fee per event, with over a 100% cash payout and a $100,000 minimum cash purse for the championship event. There will be five events — entry fee championship event, one event per month (April, May, June, July August and the championship in October). Officials will be in every boat. More information will be available at a later date.

The return to warmer weather will likely slow down some daytime deer activity , even though the breeding season typically called the “rut,” was scheduled by some “experts” to kick in at the end of October. Any deer hunter with experience will tell you the deer typically get on the move when the temperature drops towards the end of October into November. Being in the right place at the right time will also play a role in your success. With record-breaking warm temperatures for this time of the year in the forecast, be advised that some offshore anglers continue to find yellow perch success, when the winds let up. There have been limit catches reported fishing near Sturgeon Point , but anglers have to launch at Cattaraugus Creek or the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor to arrive there. Be advised that at most areas the docks have been removed. Trout activity has improved at Chautauqua Creek, the smaller streams around Silver Creek and the “Catt.”Anglers are elbow to elbow at Chautauqua Creek at times and the Catt has been turbid, and Canadaway Creek is still blocked at the mouth. Lack of precipitation will affect the smaller, hard-bottom streams until the next heavy rainfall.

Calendar: Our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lakeshore Longbeards, will meet on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards located at Route 20 in Sheridan. Open to the public, attendees are asked to wear a mask. The meeting will be outside and social-distance protocols will be maintained. One of the New York representatives will be in attendance with the discussion to focus on possible plans for future activities. Cross bow season opens today and runs through Nov. 20. Regular firearm season opens up on Nov. 21-Dec.13.

Duck season ends Sunday with a split season reopening Nov. 28 until Jan.3.

Gun Shows: Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania, Dec. 12-13 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, 7275 Buffalo Road-US Route 20. Saturday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. Jan. 23-24 2021. Located at 11861 Sportsman Road (off RT 18). Saturday 9 a.m.-until 4 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For information, contact Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.com Tables available.

If you have a story or a photo you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 785-3659 or 366-3000 ext. 3 after 6 p.m. Leave a name and number and a time you can be reached.