A Banner Year For SZ Bucks, So Far

By Bob McNitt

                Prior to this year’s regular SZ deer season there seemed to be an unusually high report of antlered bucks being sighted, as well as rutting sign they’d made (rubs, scrapes, etc.), and the preliminary reporting of opening weekend by successful hunters seems to verify that there’s a higher than usual density of antlered bucks in many areas.

                According to the DEC DFWMR reporting office: “               It was a windy start to the regular firearms deer season in much of the Southern Zone, but hunters appear to have managed well.  Harvest reports from the opening weekend are up about 5 percent compared to opening weekend in 2009. 

                This first Saturday and Sunday of the Southern Zone regular deer season is an important time for deer hunters and deer harvest.   In a 2007 survey (www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/hdrudeer07.pdf), roughly 85 percent of New York deer hunters indicated that they participated in the Southern Zone regular season.  Of these hunters, about 93 percent hunted on opening day, including 5 percent who only hunted on opening day.  Hunters averaged just under 7 hours afield on opening day but dropped back to an average of less than 6 hours per day during the rest of the regular season.”

In 2009, deer harvest during the opening weekend accounted for:

• nearly 50 percent of the Southern Zone regular season buck take;
• almost 40 percent of the Southern Zone regular season total deer take; 
• slightly more than 25 percent of the Southern Zone deer take during all seasons; and
• more than 20 percent of the statewide deer take during all seasons.

Hunters should remember that reporting their harvest is required.  The DEC recently expanded the time frame for reporting from 48 hours to 7 days to make reporting easier for hunter who hunt in remote areas, but successful hunters are still required to report through the DEC’s online reporting system (www.dec.ny.gov) or by calling 1-866-GAME-RPT (1-866-426-3778).  

                Some Interesting Info Regarding Rogers Center’s Proposed Closing

                According to Dan Platt of the Conservation Fund Advisory Council (CFAC), the proposed closing of Rogers Center in Sherburne will actually do little to reduce the state budget deficit.

                “The hearing (in Albany) on Thursday was fascinating.  It lasted at least 10 hours.  Our temporary (DEC) commissioner, Peter Iwanowicz, a Democrat from Albany and Deputy Secretary for the Environment, appointed by Gov. Paterson was grilled for about 2.5 hours.  Grannis (former DEC commissioner who was fired by Gov. Paterson for criticizing the DOB cuts as they pertained to the DEC)) was interviewed next.  

Upshot is:

                75 percent of DEC budget comes from other sources of funding distinct from the General Fund.  Only 2 percent of the State General Fund employees work at DEC, but DEC is being hit by 16 percent of the state's layoffs.  Grannis had decided to spread the hits across all DEC sections regardless of funding source, because hitting the 25 percent group would have been like cutting off a leg - couldn't work at all.

There are no plans to close hatcheries OR the Reynold's farm.  That doesn't mention the fact that the managers at both hatcheries took early retirement.  MOST senior management took early retirement.  Of the 50+ employees who took early retirement (I believe from FWMR), only 3 were General Fund employees, so the early retirement saved the state very little.  Many of the layoffs will not save NYS anything either.  Many of the layoffs will limit DEC's ability to apply for or qualify for Federal Funds that have been paying for a lot of the non-General Fund employees.  They have also decided to transfer a large number of permanent positions to "seasonal" status, which likely implies that a lot of the normal seasonals will be fired.  The idea was to keep a lot of the permanent employees employed, even though they don't have all the perks of full-time employment... with the hope that sometime in the next administration they will clean up the mess.  Stoneykill Education Center in my region is also subject to closing.  I do not believe any of the camps are closing.... yet.

                $17M of the Conservation Fund has not been released by the Division  of Budget (DOB).  Actually, while a lot of other funds of the state specifically empower DOB to allocate funds appropriated by legislation, DOB has no such power under the New York State Finance Law to fail to allocate those funds.  However, that is exactly what they have done.

                CFAB has been trying very hard to get some traction to get these funds released.  They have tried to enlist (Assemblyman Robert) Sweeney's help, who appeared to be very interested in what is happening.”

                So it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Gov. Paterson and the Division of Budget have decided to make the NYSDEC the “whipping boy” or fall guy (your choice) for our state’s $315M budget deficit –a red ink crisis created by none other than our elected officials and state leaders’ long term inability to operate the state in a fiscally responsible manner. In addition to losing DEC centers such as Rogers and Stoneykill, sportsmen will see significant reductions in fish and wildlife conservation programs such as fish stocking and habitat management. My primary question is: why aren’t our local state politicians battling to reverse and cease what seems to be efforts to literally destroy our DEC system as it relates to conservation and our “dedicated” Conservation Fund money?

Doves ARE Migratory Game Birds, Even in NYS

By Bob McNitt

Generally speaking, small game hunting season doesn’t seem to generate the interest it once did. Maybe it’s because the once abundant pheasant hunting we enjoyed has nearly disappeared, except for stocked birds, most of them being released by DEC in limited acreage public land areas. Or perhaps it’s because of the steady downturn of ruffed grouse densities and the habitat that once supported them in huntable numbers.
With several small game seasons due to open soon, probably the Oct. 1 opening of the fall turkey season will attract the most interest. While grouse and cottontail rabbit also open on that same date, the odds of those attracting a large following has gone down with each passing season. Oh, there’ll be a few avid upland hunters who’ll pursue them, but nothing like the bygone days of abundance in those two game species plus pheasants.
Another factor might be decreased access to private habitat that may or may not hold a relative abundance of small game like grouse and rabbit. Much of our state forest lands open to public hunting have seen small game densities drop due to poor and deteriorating habitat in recent decades. What little low-growth habitat that emerges is normally consumed by deer as browse. Basically, deer and, in the case of springtime hunting, wild turkeys have become the overwhelming draws for area hunters. These two species are also the favorites of the DEC since neither requires extensive physical management or major habitat improvement.
So what’s left? Gray squirrel, sometimes woodcock, cottontails in winter, geese in September, and predator species. If small game hunting is to survive for future generations to enjoy, things need to change. But how? For years, several avid sportsmen and groups have lobbied to have mourning doves reclassified in New York State as migratory gamebirds, a classification they get in at least 39 other states. Why consider reclassifying doves a migratory gamebird? Even Cornell lists them as such. First is, just like other migratory birds – waterfowl, woodcock, even crows – they benefit from both federal and state management and funding.
With upland gamebird populations dwindling in our state, offering a September dove hunting season would help fill a need without endangering or reducing overall dove populations. Usually September weather is quite pleasant, which would entice more hunters, especially young ones, to discover the joys of hunting, the outdoors, and harvesting their own food – something few youths could do today.
The biggest block to reclassifying doves in New York is akin to perceptions by some to overprotect suburban deer. Because their numbers are so high, droves of doves show up at winter bird feeders once they’ve depleted the natural and agricultural foods that have been available to them previously, a parallel to the overabundant deer that move to suburbs and rural residences to feed when other food supplies dwindle. We have deer hunting as much for species management as for the meat resource they represent. Without sufficient hunting/management, they can decimate habitat that supports both them and other species. Just look at what occurred in state forests such as Beaver Meadow
The mourning dove is one of the most abundant birds in the United States, with an estimated fall population of 500 million birds. For example, the Minnesota population is estimated at 12 million doves, which is three times the fall duck flight through the state. I suspect New York enjoys similar numbers.
Mourning doves are prolific breeders, raising between four to ten young doves per year. The natural mortality rate is high; approximately six out of ten doves do not survive from one year to the next. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has studied and regulated mourning doves for 40 years, and data has shown that a hunting season on them has virtually no impact on their population, in fact it probably benefits them as a prolific species.
Before anyone visualizes how easy it would be to harvest doves at winter bird feeders, let’s explode that daydream. Dove hunting season is an early autumn activity—usually September—and is done near grain fields or other food fields the doves feed in. Hunting is done from stand locations where incoming or outgoing birds may fly by. If you’ve ever watched a dove fly by overhead, imagine trying to hit one with a light shotgun load. It’s akin to bringing down a flying bumblebee with a BB gun.
Some might wonder why hunters would hunt doves, since they’re such small gamebirds. We hunt squirrel, woodcock and teal, all of which are relatively small. And commercially we buy and consume Cornish hen, frog legs, shrimp and smelt. And considering how difficult a rocketing airborne dove is to hit, hunters don’t expect a bounty but rather a tasty supplement for the table.
But, all this aside, if upland hunting--and the money and benefits it produces in New York--is to survive in the future, the time to consider reclassifying doves as migratory gamebirds, which they are, and having an early hunting season for them is one option that really needs serious consideration. You can bet you’ll still see plenty of doves at your bird feeder in winter. All the many states that allow hunting them have proven that.

Fulton County -- Gateway to the Adirondacks

By Bob McNitt

Fulton County promotes itself as the “Gateway to the Adirondacks,” but don’t let that slogan fool you … for most folks visiting there, it’s a notch above. Snuggling up to Hamilton County to its north, I can guarantee you that without the sign denoting you’ve crossed the “blue line” border and entering the Park proper, you’d never know the difference.
This rather well-kept secret probably accounted for the large contingency of outdoor writers choosing Fulton County as the site for their 2010 NYS Outdoor Writers Association’s Annual safari get-together last month. Ground Zero for the event was the main shorefront cabin units at Pecks Lake Enterprise Inc, off NYS Rte. 29A near Gloversville. Pecks Lake is only surpassed in size by the huge Great Sacandaga Lake to its east, but since it’s privately owned, it’s far more peaceful. I’ve known the Peck family for many years, and the effort they put forth to make visitors to their lake feel welcome and enjoy themselves is remarkable.
The lake is well stocked with an assortment of game and pan fish, including bass, northern pike, walleye and rainbow trout. Crappie, pickerel and bullhead are also popular catches. Anglers have the option of either launching their own boat at the marina or renting one, complete with outboard motor. While fishing and relaxing are two of the many attractions in Fulton County, additionally there’s the Great Sacandaga, Caroga Lake, West Canada Lake, plus numerous smaller ponds and lakes and abundant streams.
The area of Johnstown and Gloversville were once the hub of the commercial tannery business in the East, known as the “Glove and Leather Capital” of the world, hence the latter’s name. Fulton County was born in 1838 when split off from Montgomery County shortly after the Montgomery county seat was moved to Fonda. The creation of Fulton County was engineered by Johnstown lawyer Daniel Cady, whose wife was a cousin of Robert Fulton. An excellent explanatory article on how tanning and the glove industry developed and thrived in Fulton County can be found at http://www.albany.edu/history/glovers/.
But enough of the history lesson, for it’s all the great outdoor – and indoor – attractions the area contains that is remarkable, given the rather secretive nature of some of them. During the safari our writers caught walleye, bass, trout, crappie, pickerel and bullhead from Pecks, while others opted to fish and caught walleye from Great Sacandaga. Some opted to sample the excellent wild turkey hunting the area hosts and two nice gobblers were taken. Other than the occasional honking of Canada geese or cries of loons on Pecks Lake, we may have well been in the deep wilderness far to the north.
Did I mention food and entertainment? Our initial night saw a belt-stretching buffet at Vrooman’s Hotel in Caroga Lake. Breakfasts were served up in abundant style at the Red Store restaurant, also in Caroga. Non-eating outings included an impressive tour of the Wildlife Sports & Educational Museum in Vail Mills, a must stop for everyone visiting the area. The huge replicated display of mounted record book bucks and fish are alone worth the stop. If you hunt, fish, trap or just enjoy the outdoors, make a point to see this. For those more urban minded, the area has an abundance of stores, restaurants, outlets and museums. Most of these can readily be located in the downtown areas or the outskirts on the major highways leading in and out.
The cabins we stayed in were excellent examples of the classic north woods camps, but with large porches and running water. Flowering apple trees that dotted the shoreline lawns gave a wonderful fragrance – especially when mixed with the more traditional scent of the nearby evergreens -- whenever we stepped outside. A large awning was erected that housed our final night’s event – a wild boar roast, sponsored by ADK Oudoorsman Show, Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, ADK Realty, The Fly Shack, and Frank’s Gun Shop. The wild boar had a local connection as it was donated by Wild West Trophy Hunts in West Edmeston. With our group, there wasn’t much pork left by evening’s end.
Perhaps the real allure of this Fulton County region is you basically get nearly all the benefits of the Adirondack Park tourist attractions without the tourism prices. And in today’s economy, that will prove to be a real bargain. For more information visit http://fultoncountyny.org/ or http://www.peckslake.com/. Or write to: Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2 North Main St., Gloversville NY 12078. Or Peck’s Lake Ent. Inc., 180 Peck Lake Rd., Gloversville, NY 12078.

Deer Lore

Yesterday afternoon, the next-to-last day of the late muzzleloading/archery season in the SZ, I looked over seven whitetails, all in a row, that walked in front of me. I didn't want to take a doe that had fawns with her, but the very last deer in the file had none following her. When the smoke cleared and I got to where she was, I discovered "she" was a "he" ... a buck with 2-inch spike antlers, hidden behind those long ears. Now we all know about "button bucks" ... those 7-month-old male fawns that won't grow antlers of from 5-6 inch spikes to 6-point racks until the following year. So where and how does a 2-inch spike buck fall in this normally reliable scenario?

Chances are this buck was born very late the previous year, due to its mother being bred much later than normal, probably in December. Hence, the buck's slower antler growth seasonal pattern then falls in a medium between what would be just small buttons its first year and a set of longer spikes or a larger rack the next year.

Many believe Quality Deer Management (QDM) is all about larger racks and more mature bucks, but that's only part of the mangement scheme. A sound, balance sex ratio between male and female deer is also critical. Too many does and not enough bucks, and you get later breeding occurring, resulting in late-born fawns that often succumb to winterkill or predation. And sub-legal spike-button bucks like the one I took. Ideally the ratio should probably be about 5-6 does to each buck, but in many areas, especially excellent habitat areas or areas not being hunted, the ratio can be 10 or more to one.

"Dry Does"- We often hear hunters say they're looking for a "dry doe" for venison- meaning a doe that didn't produce a fawn. The average breeding age doe in the wild can usually produce fawns her first ten years. That's quite a while in terms of a deer's average lifespan. Often, what the hunter actually encounters is a lone doe that lost her fawn(s) to predation that previous spring.

"Antler Addiction" - Old habits die hard, and some hunters still resist harvesting does, mistakenly believing there'll be "more" deer the next year. That's true, but going back to the QDM observation, the overall quality of the deer in areas where does far outnumber breeding-age bucks will decline annually. Removing an appropriate number of does each year to keep the sex ratio near optimum levels and within habitat carrying capacity is far more important than harvesting every buck that comes within range.