October Outdoor Discovery

Try St. Lawrence County for Fall Turkey

From October 1st to 14th, try fall hunting for turkey at Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area and Beaver Creek State Forest, both located in St. Lawrence County. These two properties offer thousands of acres of good turkey habitat. Turkey are plentiful in New York State and are one of our most popular game birds. Nothing beats the challenge of bagging one of these big, wary birds. Whether you’re a veteran or novice turkey hunter, check DEC’s Hunting and Turkey Hunting web pages to find all latest information on licensing, bag limits, and special turkey hunting rules and safety practices. To find out about turkey hunting seasons for the rest of the state, visit DEC's website. Good hunting!

Trout and Salmon Fishing in the Great Lakes Tributaries

Fall weather will trigger trout and salmon migrations into Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries, where anglers can experience some of the best trout and salmon fishing in North America. Chinook and coho salmon runs in Lake Ontario tributaries generally begin in mid-September and continue through early November. Steelhead begin their tributary runs in earnest in both these Great Lakes in mid-October, and provide fishing excitement through springtime. 

Several areas are well-known for excellent fishing:

• Black River (Jefferson County)
• Salmon River (Oswego County)
• Oak Orchard Creek (Orleans County)
• Lower Niagara River (Lake Ontario)
• Cattaraugus Creek (Lake Erie)

Mentor a Young Hunter

Columbus Day weekend, October 12-14, is this year's youth firearms deer hunt weekend. This hunt is one of many opportunities when parents, guardians and other responsible adults can pass on New York State's great hunting traditions to the next generation. While accompanied by an experienced adult hunter aged 21 or older, licensed hunters ages 14 and 15 can carry a firearm to hunt for one deer during this special weekend.

There is also a youth pheasant hunting weekend scheduled for October 12 and 13 in Western NY. Pheasant hunting was one of the first hunting experiences for many of today's adult hunters, and this two-day hunt will help maintain this traditional introduction to hunting.
Visit DEC's Junior Hunter Mentoring Program web page for all the details on what youth hunters and their adult mentors must do to participate. Children grow up before you know it. Don't miss an opportunity to share your love of hunting and the outdoors with a youngster.

Enjoying autumn in New York State means sharing the outdoors with hunters. It's been said before, but when venturing into the woods in fall, wear hunter orange.

Fall Camping

Fall camping in New York State is a great way to enjoy our mountains, lakes, and forests. Wildlife is more active near dawn and dusk, and once the summer crowds are gone, you may glimpse an eagle, bobcat, moose or bear. Savor quiet, crisp mornings and cool evenings around the campfire. Take a hike and enjoy the colorful autumn foliage that draws visitors from everywhere. Explore our lakes and ponds in a canoe or kayak. Dozens of state campgrounds are open through Columbus Day weekend. To plan your autumn adventure, visit these websites:

DEC Campgrounds
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hike of the Month: Petersburg Pass, Taconic Crest Trail

Petersburg, Rensselaer County

The Taconic Crest Trail runs 37 miles along the New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts border, with an elevation of almost 3,000 feet at Berlin Mountain. A popular section of the trail begins in Petersburg, New York and leads to the popular "snowhole," a cave-like crevice where snow is often found into the early summer. This 6-mile round-trip trail passes through the Taconic Ridge State Forest (nearly 4,000 acres) and an additional 7,000 acres of easement land. The Northern hardwoods-sugar maple, birch, red maple, and beech trees display beautiful fall colors.

A parking lot is located on Rte. 2 in Petersburg near the Massachusetts' border. Cross the road and follow the trail north to the "snowhole."  Note that hunting is permitted in the State Forest and several hunting seasons are open in October.

Nature Notes

Both Coho and Chinook Salmon are non-native, Pacific coast species. Most are hatchery-raised and stocked in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and their tributaries.

Upcoming DEC Events

Monarch Larva Monitoring, 10/2, 9 and 16 at 1 p.m., Five Rivers EEC

Outdoors After School, Thursdays 10/3 through 10/24 at 4:30 p.m., Five Rivers EEC

The Great Reinstein Woods Treasure Hunt, 10/5 at 10 a.m., Reinstein Woods EEC

Family Fishing Festival at Hempstead Lake, 10/19 at 10 a.m. at Hempstead Lake State Park

Costume-Making Workshop, 10/26 at 10 a.m., Reinstein Woods EEC

Many Hunting Seasons Open in October

More Upcoming DEC Events

Conservationist

The change of seasons brings new opportunities in New York, and the October Conservationist highlights some exciting outdoor activities for autumn, including the start of many hunting seasons. Read about a boy’s journey to becoming a hunter, and a man’s mishap while hunting from his favorite tree stand. You’ll also learn how conservation easements create new outdoor recreation opportunities and read about a woman’s first experience fishing the famed Salmon River. We also showcase some amazing photos of the autumn season in New York.

Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399 to receive the Conservationist year-round.