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Be a Mentor on National Hunting and Fishing Day
September 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF). Experienced sportsmen and women are encouraged to celebrate by passing on their love of field and stream sports to others. This year, those who accept the NHF Day Challenge by pledging to take someone fishing, hunting or shooting between now and September 23rd can enter to win prizes. New York State is celebrating with several fishing and hunting opportunities. Try a new hunting/angling spot or game species. Reinvigorate the interest of a lapsed hunter or angler. Go afield for squirrel, early bear or early goose. Take a 12-15 year-old out during Youth Pheasant Hunt in eastern zones, or Youth Waterfowl Weekend in northeastern and Lake Champlain zones (September 23-24). NHF Day is also a free fishing day, when all ages can fish without a license. Check DEC’s NHF Day webpage for dates and details.
Hike of the Month: Hudson River Ramble
Every September, communities along the Hudson River come alive on weekends with exciting events and festivals. Participants enjoy guided hikes, group paddles, bike rides, cultural and historical events and more.
The annual Hudson River Ramble, features hundreds of events for all skill levels. Here is a sampling of events:
- Fall Foliage Paddle from Kingston Point Beach
- Fall Family Day at the Catskill Interpretive Center
- Historic Bike Tour of Old Fishkill
- Bannerman Castle Kayak and Walking Tour
- Nature Photo Scavenger Hunt
Adventure Awaits at a DEC Environmental Education Center
Five Rivers and Reinstein Woods, DEC’s Environmental Education Centers, host thousands of visitors at their fall festivals each year. At Reinstein Woods near Buffalo, the 17th Annual Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Kick off the fall season by spending a day in the woods. Enjoy crafts for kids, live animals, hands-on activities, food, live music by Mama Earth and more!
Five Rivers near Albany will celebrate its 36th Annual Fall Festival on September 16 from noon to 4:00 PM. Join us for a family-oriented environmental celebration featuring hands-on educational activities, interactive exhibits, interpretive walks and more. Enjoy opportunities to meet live hawks, owls, snakes and turtles up close and personal. Meet Smokey Bear, cast for “backyard bass,” and enjoy staffed exhibits from a wide range of local conservation partners.
Ready for Your Hunting Adventure?
Seasons for both small and big game start opening in the fall throughout the state. Be sure you’re ready to go afield. Experienced hunters should renew their licenses and duck stamps, either online or through a traditional retail purchase option. Those who are new to the sport must successfully complete a hunter safety education course before buying their first license. Find all the information you’ll need on DEC’s Hunting webpage.
Nature Notes
Want more pheasants? Establish cool season and warm season grasses to provide nesting and brood rearing cover. Some warm season grasses, such as switchgrass, also provide great winter cover because they remain standing into spring.
ECO Report
ECO Tom Koepf assisted with the retrieval of a sunken speed boat on Swinging Bridge Reservoir in the town of Thompson, Sullivan County. The vessel's driver was traveling at a high rate of speed the previous night, struck a pontoon boat in the middle of the reservoir and the speedboat sank. Luckily, the pontoon boat passengers rescued the two male subjects thrown from the speedboat. Once on shore, the two subjects fled the scene on foot before law enforcement arrived. Divers located the wreck and attached float bags to bring it to the surface, where it was then towed to shore and removed from the water.
Upcoming DEC Events
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2017-2018 Annual Hunting and Trapping License Year Begins - September 1
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Family Full Moon Adventure, 9/6 at 8:00 PM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Watchable Wildlife: Rodents, 9/9 at 10:00 AM, Five Rivers EEC
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Fire Island Surfcasting Clinic, 9/16 at 11:00 AM, Fire Island National Seashore
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Science Adventure on the River, 9/23 at 2:00 PM, Norrie Point Environmental Center
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Introduction to Geo-Caching, 9/23 at 10:00 AM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Family Nature Quest: Turtle Adventure, 9/30 at 10:30 AM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Guided Walk: Beaver Tree Trail, 9/30 at 10:00 AM, Five Rivers EEC
- Other DEC Events
Conservationist Magazine
Can you tell what this is? To find out, check out page 22 of the August Conservationist magazine. In this issue, learn how prehistoric-looking lake sturgeon are once again spawning in major New York waters, and travel in the woods with Camden High School students as they learn about archaeological investigation techniques and help uncover a forgotten chapter in our history. Also enjoy the artwork of former Conservationist Art Director Wayne Trimm, who recently passed away at age 94, and revel in the inspiring beauty of the Thousand Islands region as seen through the lens of photographer Chris Murray.
There's all this and much more in the August Conservationist. Don't miss it! Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.
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