Photo by Gene Pauszek Deer season will be here soon. Get ready.

It has been a busy summer especially with the numerous walleye tournaments, my granddaughter Rachel’s graduation and doctors’ appointments.

While catching up on a backlog of reading, I spied a DEC Wildlife report from Ann Rothlock, regional wildlife manager.

Back on May 3, a turkey hunter reported sighting a possible albino deer, running with other “normal looking whitetail deer.” The hunter sent photos and upon examination the biologist was able to determine that the deer were not likely a whitetailed deer. The deer were determined to be fallow deer and the white deer, which had ear tags, were seen on numerous occasions by Chautauqua County residents.

The NYSDEC Cervid-at-Large Protocol contacted the NYS Department of Agriculture to determine if there were any reports of escaped deer from cervid facilities in the area. No reports were on file and there were no known facilities in the area. The NYSDEC also contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture with no positive results.

Following protocol, the DEC biologists contacted the property owners and on May 14 the deer were removed. Utilizing the deer tag information, NYSDAM was able to determine that the deer originated in North Carolina and had been sold at an exotics sale in Ohio. The pathology staff was able to confirm that these cervids tested negative for any high-risk diseases that could be hazardous to our native whitetails.

Archery season is right around the corner. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures to get ready. Practice as much a possible. Make sure your equipment is in good working order. Re-visit your tree stands and clean out trails.

Justin Stevens at Catt Creek Bait & Tackle reports that a few jack steelies were caught recently on the reservation by anglers using beads presented under a float. Earlier in the week a few anglers also reported doing well on walleye in 65 to 75 feet of water off Cattaraugus Creek. Worm harnesses seem to be working better lately with purple/chartreuse willow blades and watermelon harnesses doing well. Justin also commented that some anglers purchased green Nitro worms as bait as a joke.

Low and behold they have reported doing very well using them on walleye. I mentioned this to Zach at Hogan’s Hut in Stow and he commented that the Nitro worms have also been a hit on Chautauqua Lake recently. Zach commented that since the temperature cooled down the fishing has heated up. Walleye are taken along the weed line edges by trolling with worm harnesses and pan fish are also on the outer deeper edges of the weed line on the north end of the lake. Muskie fishing has been slow.

A BassMaster tournament is scheduled for Chautauqua Lake this Sunday. When anglers can get out on Lake Erie there has been some yellow perch success reported off the Catt. In 65 feet of water on salted emeralds and golden shiners. Walleye catches have also been reported off the Catt east, in 85 to 90 feet on worm harnesses.

CALENDAR

¯ Southtowns Walleye Association will hold their monthly meeting at the club located at Southwestern Boulevard in Hamburg on Sept. 18. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a mask as COVID restrictions may be applied.

¯ There is a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Sept. 18 from 2:30-7:30 p.m. There is a mandatory $80 fee for this course. Call Gary Dudek at 366-3397 for more information.

¯ The next meeting of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association will be on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club.