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The Great New York State Fair
Don't miss out on the New York State Fair, which runs from August 25 through September 5. While you're there, visit DEC's exhibits at the Aquarium and Log Cabin buildings. The Aquarium building is a great place for the whole family, with game fish raised at DEC's hatcheries, including the prehistoric-looking lake sturgeon and the aptly named paddlefish.
You can buy a hunting and/or fishing license, get information on Sportsman Education courses, take advantage of a deal on a subscription to Conservationist magazine, and enter a raffle to win a new kayak.
The Log Cabin is just a short walk from the Aquarium building. There, the Saratoga Tree Nursery and DEC's Division of Lands and Forests will provide free tree seedlings while supplies last and information on invasive species. And be sure to stop at the Environmental Education table to learn about NY's mammals. Register to win a free weekend at a DEC campground, take a photo with Smoky Bear, or just relax outside with a picnic lunch along the State Symbols Nature Trail
Summertime Bass Fishing
Oneida Lake, Oneida County
What better way to spend a beautiful summer day than pursuing one of New York State's premier gamefish, the black bass. Two species of black bass are found in NY, the largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass. Largemouths prefer shallower weedy water, while smallmouths are more often found in rivers or in deeper water in lakes.
Oneida Lake, in central New York, has good populations of both species and is a very popular bass fishing location. Bassmasters Magazine named it one of the country's top 100 bass fisheries for two consecutive years. For a successful summertime bass fishing experience, try using a wacky rig.
Nature Notes: Male black bass construct nests and guard the eggs and fry (young fish) until they are old enough to disperse. Females typically provide no parental care and leave nest sites soon after depositing eggs.
Watchable Wildlife: Peebles Island State Park
Cohoes, Albany County
Birders will enjoy this state park, which is home to a variety of birds and is a popular stopover for migrating birds. Feathered wildlife that might be seen here include the bald eagle, barred owl, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, killdeer, osprey and swallows.
In addition to birds, wildlife enthusiasts may spot amphibians, mammals and rodents such as beavers, coyotes, foxes (both gray and red), groundhogs, muskrats, snapping turtles and white-tailed deer. Enthusiastic online reviews testifying to the park's attractions--for example, "Great views of the (Mohawk and Hudson) rivers and wildlife" and "Lots of deer grazing and (they're) not afraid of hikers!"--will make outdoor recreationists eager to see for themselves.
Find Miles of Hiking at Rocky Point
Suffolk County
Near the north shore of Long Island in Suffolk County, almost 6,000 acres beckon to hikers at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest. Explore this vast pine-oak ecosystem along several marked trails dedicated just to hiking. The trails also connect to make an 8.5-mile loop around the forest for more of a workout. The state forest encompasses Ridge Conservation Area, a popular place for watching wildlife. Or bring fishing gear and catch gamefish and panfish at Randall Pond, where an accessible trail and three fishing piers enable people of all abilities to enjoy the sport. For descriptions of the types of recreation you can enjoy here and information about how to obtain the required access permit, see DEC's Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest webpage.
Safe and Sound: Ranger Field Report
Injured hiker: Injured hiker: On July 4, DEC Dispatch received two calls through Warren County 911 from members of a family that became separated on Tongue Mountain. The parents of a 14-year-old boy called to say they had become separated from their son. Around the same time, their son called for help because he was lost off trail. Warren County 911 provided GPS coordinates that matched the coordinates the boy had texted via a screenshot. A DEC forest ranger found the boy and reunited him with his parents.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hiking Safety and Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
Purchase Your Hunting and Trapping Licenses
Sporting licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2016-17 season went on sale Monday, August 1. Licenses and permits can be purchased at any one of DEC's license-issuing agents, in person, by telephone, or online. Hunting and trapping licenses are valid for one year beginning September 1, 2016.
DEC's Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife App
Looking for an outdoor adventure close to home this spring? Download DEC's Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife App. Using the app's advanced GPS features, you will be able to identify and locate New York State's many hunting, fishing and wildlife watching sites.
Upcoming DEC Events
Conservationist Magazine
You won't want to miss the August issue of Conservationist magazine! In it, you can read about a favorite summer pastime for many of digging clams on Long Island. Enjoy stunning photos of dragonflies and damselflies, and learn more about their natural history. Take a trip on the Bronx River, and discover what this hidden jewel has to offer. Learn more about the parasitic plants of New York, and the geology of Lake Ontario's south shore beaches. Re-live the moments leading up to the miraculous landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, and learn more about what is being done to prevent incidents like that from happening again.
There's all this and more in the August Conservationist. Don't miss the next issue! Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.
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