Spring Turkey Hunting
Among the game birds sought by hunters in New York State, wild turkeys are particularly challenging. The regular spring turkey hunting season runs from May 1 through May 31.
A few tips for turkey hunting:
• Most successful hunters use a variety of calls.
• Head-to-toe camouflage helps conceal hunters, but wearing hunter orange while moving between hunting locations helps keep hunters safe.
• Before shooting, always identify your target and what is beyond it.
• Don’t stalk; let the bird do the walking.
More information about Turkey Hunting is available on DEC’s website.
Camping at Fish Creek and Rollins Pond
Saranac Lake, Franklin and Essex Counties
Camping season is underway at two of DEC’s most popular campgrounds: Fish Creek Pond and the adjacent Rollins Pond.
Fish Creek Pond Campground offers a natural sand shoreline and water access for most campsites. It’s no wonder many visitors consider it the finest and most attractive of all the Adirondack campgrounds. Two ponds within the campground, Square Pond and Fish Creek Pond, are open to motor boats, as is Upper Saranac Lake.
Rollins Pond should be at the top of your list if you like canoes, rowboats, paddle boats or kayaks. All are available for rent at the boat launch livery site, and this long narrow body of water provides the ideal setting for days of fun as you take turns on all of them. You can canoe the waterway leading to Fish Creek, or just try your luck fishing in Whey Pond, located adjacent to the livery area, and "stocked" annually with trout.
New to camping? Fish Creek campground is hosting Campground Ambassadors to help you get comfortable and enjoy all the outdoor activities the property offers, including hiking, swimming, wildlife watching and organized nature programs for kids.
Reserve your spot today!
Watchable Wildlife: Mashomack Preserve
Shelter Island, Suffolk County
Edged by 10 miles of coastline, Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island is just 90 miles from New York City and encompasses tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields and freshwater and saltwater marshes. Shelter Island is accessible only by ferry from Greenport or North Haven.
More than 200 species of birds have been recorded at Mashomack Preserve, including one of the East Coast's largest concentrations of nesting osprey. In addition to birds, the preserve’s many habitats harbor a variety of other animal life. You can find Painted turtles basking on a sunny log or spring peepers chirping in the freshwater wetlands. Salt marshes shelter a multitude of marine species, including clams, blue claw crabs and a variety of fish.The night brings little brown bats and moths, including the beautiful luna and rare imperial, as well as fox, raccoon and deer.
Five well-marked land trails and a marine water trail total more than 20 miles, offering patrons options of varying length and difficulty. A wheelchair-accessible trail is located close to the visitor center.
Photo by Barb Nuffer
Hike of the Month: Sugar Hill State Forest
Towns of Orange, Tyrone and Reading, Schuyler County
Among Sugar Hill’s attractions are the Six Nations Trail System and a 15-mile section of the Finger Lakes/North Country National Scenic Trail. Loops and spurs along the trail cover 35 miles, with hilly terrain and some steep sections. The Lower Evergreen Parking lot provides easy access to less steep sections of trail near the south end of the forest.
The main trailhead for the Six Nations Trail System is the Sugar Hill Fire Tower and Recreation Area, near the forest’s north end. Parking, water, flush toilets, a picnic area and pavilion, horse stalls, kiosks, an accessible horse-mounting ramp, radio towers, and a field for camping are located here. Stairs to the top landing of the fire tower are open for climbing. On clear days, the 15-mile view is spectacular.
Boating Harriman State Park
Orange and Rockland Counties
Boasting 31 lakes and reservoirs, Harriman State Park is the second-largest park in the NYS Park system. Boaters must obtain a launch permit to access the lakes, including major facilities at Lakes Welch, Sebago, Silvermine and Tiorati.
When you are done enjoying the water, you can explore 200 miles of hiking trails, spectacular vistas and vantage points. There are two public camping areas and a recreation area, miles of streams and scores of wildlife species.
I Love My Park Day
It's not to late to sign up to volunteer for the 7th Annual I Love My Park Day event organized by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with State Parks and DEC. Join thousands of volunteers to celebrate New York's public lands by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvements.
DEC is hosting events at a variety of locations - from trails in the Forest Preserve to popular campgrounds and environmental education centers. There is a project for all ages to participate in.
There are 26 DEC project locations, find an event near you, and sign up to volunteer.
Your help can make a difference in our state lands and campgrounds throughout New York.
Nature Notes
The wild turkey is native to North America. Turkeys were widespread when the Europeans arrived and may have predated the earliest human inhabitants.
Check out the Digital Edition of Conservationist Magazine
Get connected to nature with Conservationist magazine! We are offering the April digital edition for free, so everyone can experience the informative and entertaining articles and first-rate photography. This issue features articles on spring fishing, covered bridges, ruffed grouse and the Utica Marsh, to name a few. The digital edition offers additional content, including DEC videos and photography submitted by our readers. Instructions on viewing the digital edition are available on our website.
If you're not yet a subscriber, sign up to receive both the print and digital versions for the low price of $12 per year (7 issues). Be sure to add your e-mail address to your account when subscribing.
Upcoming DEC Events
I Love My Park Day Events, 5/5
I Bird NY: 100 Years of Protecting Birds, 5/12 at 2 p.m., Five Rivers EEC
Woods Walk, 5/19 at 1 p.m., Reinstein Woods EEC
Other Upcoming DEC Events
Donate Life
Consider becoming an organ donor. Learn more and register today at registerme.org
|
