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New York Outdoor News Calendar – June 29, 2018

Season Dates

July 15: Snapping turtle season opens

July 16: Oyster toadfish season opens

Shows

Aug. 10-12: Cattaraugus County Trappers Association  Show, Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, Little Valley, Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8-5; Sunday, 8-3. For more info call Kevin Parker, 716-474-7251.

Aug. 12: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Unadilla Gun Show and Flea Market, Unadilla Rod & Gun Club, Butternut Road, Unadilla, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Aug. 18-19: Rotary Club of Clayton Gun Show, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info call Tom Neely at 315-767-5643.

Aug. 18-19: Elk Expo, Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette, Pa. www.elkexpo.com for more info.

Sept. 15-16: New York State Arms Collectors Association Syracuse Gun Show, New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9-3 Sunday. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Sept. 15-16: Batavia Gun and Sportsman Show, Quality Inn & Suites and Palm Island Indoor Waterpark, Batavia. For more information contact Kurt Baumgaertner at 716-430-3133 or via email at KurtAB@protonmail.com.

Sept. 22-23: Niagara Frontier Gun Show, Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 9-3, Hamburg Fairgrounds, Hamburg. For more info call Bruce Johnson, 716-542-9929.

Oct. 7: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Lisle Gun Show, Lisle Fire Co., Route 79 North, Lisle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info contact Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Oct. 28: North Eastern Arms Collectors Association Antique and Modern Gun Show, American Legion Hall, 22 Grove Place, Babylon, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info call Carly at 631-241-3299.

Nov. 4: Midstate Arms Collectors & Shooters Club Oneonta Gun Show, Holiday Inn, Route 23 Southside, Oneonta, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For info,  Sandy Ackerman Klinger at 607-748-1010 (1-6 p.m.).

Banquets/Fundraisers

July 21: Allied Archery Banquet, 5 p.m., at the club. For info call Mike Kurtowicz, 716-983-8544.

Aug. 7: Greene County Women’s League Fundraiser, noon, Coppertree Restaurant, Hunter Mountain. For more info call Rhonda Margiasso, 518-819-1249.

Aug. 18: CNY PF Sporting Clays Fundraiser,  9:30 a.m., Pathfinder fish & Game Club, Fulton. For more info call E. Puglliese, 315-263-6699.

Education/Seminars

(DEC has established a website where registration for sportsman education programs can be made online. To find a course near you, go to:

www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york

* * *

NY Shooter Supply Reloading Classes, 6 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesday. For more info call Matthew Musto, 518-456-6383.

* * *

Sept. 16: Women and Girls Instructional Rifle and Pistol Shooting Clinic, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Washington Hollow Rod and Gun Club, Pleasant Valley. For more information, contact Jackie Emslie at 914-475-4901 or via email at  jslie@earthlink.net.

* * *

Spider Rybaak’s Free Fishing Classes for Kids

July 7: Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (fishing with bait and lures); 1:30-3:30 p.m. (fly-fishing)

July 28:  Lake Neatahwanta, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Shoots

Sept. 29-30: Public Fall Shoot, Alabama Hunt Club, Alabama, N.Y. For more info contact Sam DiSalvo at 585-297-7747 or John Szumigala at 716-714-5514.

* * *

Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association, Trap Shoot, Thursday evenings 6 p.m. For more info call George, 607-692-4843.

Archery

June 30-July 1: IBO NY State Championship Series, Guan Ho Ha. For more info call Rhit, 518-369-2957.

July 7-8: RBD Known Triple Classic (Third Leg), Seneca Lake Duck Hunters Association, Penn Yan. For more information call Dave Moravec at 315-374-2016.

July 8, Sept. 2: Kayaderosseras Fish & Game Club, 3-D Archery Shoot. 8 a.m.-noon. For more info call Jack Holton, 518-587-1321.

Tournaments/Contests

July 6-7: Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament, Chadwick Bay Marina, Dunkirk. For more info call Mark Mohr at 716-998-9871 or go online to www.rayzorsbigdawg.com.

July 21: 8th Annual Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout. For more info call Don Ruppert at 716-416-3709 or go to walleyeshootout.com.

Aug. 3-5: Northern Chautauqua County Conservation Club 14th Annual Walleye Derby, Lake Erie. For more info call Zen Olow at 716-640-2776.

Aug. 25: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor, Lake Erie. For more info contact Jim Steel at 716-481-5348 or go online to lakeeriewalleyetournament.com.

Sept. 8: Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Broome County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and Broome County Parks, Cole Park, Colesville Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For kids ages 1-15. For more info contact Bill Holmes at 607-797-6670.

Sept. 29-30: American Bass Association 2018 Championship Tournament, Mayville Lakeside Park, Chautauqua Lake. 

Special Events

July 6-7: Trapper’s Summer Rendezvous, Nichols Pond, Madison County. For more info call Tim Evans, 315-247-0285.

Aug. 25: Yates County SCOPE Political Education, Pig Roast, 3-6 p.m., Firemen’s Field, Penn Yan. For more info call Bill, 585-554-6868.

Sept. 8-9: 9th Annual Gathering of the Tribes Native American Festival, Brown’s Farm, East Greenbush, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more info go to the event’s Facebook page.

Sept. 22: National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration, presented by the United Sportsmen Association of Rockland County, Congers Lake Park, Congers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Meetings

Central New York Izaak Walton League meets last Tuesday of the month 7 p.m., Fayetteville-Manilus Rod & Gun Club, Manlius. For more info call Mark Matt, 315-420-9209.

Cortland Chapter Izaak Walton League meets last Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., Homer. For more info call Robin Chernow, 607-849-6718.

Keuka Lake Chapter Izaak Walton League meets second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., Branchport. For more info call Lorraine Jackson, 315-536-0539.

Rome Chapter Izaak Walton League meets second Thursday of the month, 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rome. For more info call Arthur Fuhrman, 315-336-2460.

Utica Chapter Izaak Walton League meets monthly, MWP Arts Institute, Utica. For more info call Audrey Lewis, 315-853-1066.

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New York Outdoor News Fishing Report – June 29, 2018

Western New York

Lake Erie and harbors: There were still some walleye available at night in the near-shore shallows, but that bite is tapering off. The daytime action has been decent to good at mid-depth areas, including some limit catches. Out of Buffalo, anglers were catching walleye off the windmills in 30-40 feet of water. Productive methods include trolling with worm harness or stickbaits near the bottom, or by slow trolling (1 mph or less) with a bottom-bouncing rig and worm harness. From Sturgeon Point to west of Dunkirk, depths of 40-50 feet were good starting points. Depths around 40 feet off Van Buren Bay have been a hotspot. Worm harnesses or stickbaits run within 10 feet of bottom is a good tactic. Working the deeper edges of the walleye spawning structures is also worth a try.

Smallmouth bass were still biting well in the Lake Erie harbors and the catches are improving around the near-shore reefs and shoals. Good spots to try include Myers Reef, Seneca Shoal, Evans Bar and Van Buren Reef. Many smaller reefs, rock piles and humps will hold bass as well. Tube jigs, jigs with Twister Tails, deep-diving stickbaits, live minnows and crayfish are good bass baits. A drop-shot rig with tubes, plastics or live bait works well when fishing deeper waters. 

Lake Erie tributaries: There were still smallmouth bass in all of the Lake Erie tributaries, with best numbers in the larger streams. Cattaraugus Creek was in prime shape and was the best option.

Niagara River: Shore anglers can catch a variety of warmwater species at sites throughout the upper Niagara River. Catches of bass, yellow perch, white bass, sheepshead and sunfish are common at shore sites in late spring. Some walleye have been showing along Unity Island.

Surprisingly, there were still plenty of steelhead in the lower river and some boats have had double-digit catch days. Enjoy it while it lasts, as warming waters will push them back to the lake soon. A bottom-bouncing rig with minnow or flatfish lure works well for steelhead in the upper drifts. Decent numbers of smallmouth bass were available from Devil’s Hole to the Niagara Bar. Boaters can target bass by drifting with bottom bouncing rigs with tubes, plastics or flatfish lure or by casting towards shore with jerkbaits, stickbaits and spinners. Live shiners and crayfish are also good bass baits. Anglers were also catching some white bass on live bait, as well as the occasional walleye.

Lake Ontario and tributaries, harbors and piers: King salmon action remained strong, but fish were moving around, requiring a bit more searching. The better king bite has been between 80-200 feet of water from Wilson to Hamlin, on lures run 50 to 80 feet down. Spoons continued to get most attention, but some of the bigger kings (over 20 pounds) have hit flasher-fly combos. Off the Niagara Bar, depths of 200-250 feet of water has been productive. Anglers targeting kings were also catching some lake trout, coho salmon and the occasional steelhead or Atlantic salmon. 

At harbor sites, anglers can catch a variety of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bowfin, yellow perch, rock bass and other sunfish. You never know what you will catch next.

DEC requests your help with recovering heads from coho Salmon caught in Lake Ontario in 2018. DEC biologists are comparing coho salmon stocking strategies by mass marking and/or tagging all stocked coho salmon in 2016-2018, and wild versus stocked coho salmon by clipping adipose fins in 2016-2018. For more information on data to include with coho heads and freezer locations for drop-off, see Coho Salmon Head Collection page on DEC’s website.

Chautauqua Lake: The walleye fishing continued to be quite good, with a few slow days mixed in. The best action has been tight along weedlines. Trolling slowly, at less than 2 mph, with worm harnesses has been effective. Cast or trolled stickbaits produce catches, as well. Muskellunge fishing has been fair along weedlines. Try trolling large stickbaits along weed edges or casting large stickbaits over weedbeds and retrieving toward open water. Largemouth bass were biting well around docks and around weedbeds. 

Central New York

Lake Ontario: Brown trout fishing continued to be good on the big lake, with browns being taken by trolling with stickbaits or small spoons in 20 to 40 feet of water. Chinooks and a few cohos were being taken in 100 to 150 feet of water. Lake trout were being found in around 120 feet of water.

Oswego River: Look for walleye in the river with large stickbaits. Sheepshead were hitting on crayfish. Tube baits or live crayfish would be good bait choices for bass.

Remember, the bridge to Leto Island is closed, and there are mandatory PFD zones on the river.

Salmon River: Fishing has slowed down, which is normal for this time of year.

Oneida Lake: Walleye action has slowed down some but fish were still being taken in 15 to 35 feet of water, with blade-style baits and bucktail jigs. Bass season has kicked off so expect more boat traffic as the tournament season will be starting. Many bass were still shallow but there were also some on the shoals. Plastics, bass jigs, crankbaits and topwaters would be good lure choices. Remember there are a lot of nice-sized pickerel in the lake so you may want to use a wire leader if throwing an expensive lure.

Sandy Pond: Some walleye and yellow perch were being taken.

Sodus and Irondequoit bays: Bass fishing has been good in the bays. Start shallow and move out deeper if not catching fish, try plastics, spinnerbaits or topwaters.

Finger Lakes/Southern Tier

Keuka Lake: Fishing alewives or white tube jigs near the bottom in 70 to 90 feet of water was producing lake trout. Some lakers were also being caught on small spoons trolled 40 to 50 feet down over 90 feet of water.

Seneca Lake: Some lake trout were being taken in 100 to 150 feet of water. 

Canandaigua Lake: Not hearing anything lately.

Cayuga Lake: Lake trout were being taken in 90 to 150 feet of water by anglers vertical jigging. Anglers trolling were doing better fishing in the 150- to 200-foot range. Look for largemouth bass on the north end with spinnerbaits, bass jigs or topwaters.

Skaneateles Lake: Fishing tube baits or drop-shot rigs along shore should produce some smallmouth bass, rock bass and maybe some perch. Look for lake trout 40 to 50 feet down.

Owasco Lake: Lake trout and a few brown trout were being caught by anglers trolling with spoons. Vertical jigging is also a popular tactic.

Otisco Lake: Bass were being taken in shallow water and around docks on stickworms (Senko-style baits) or jigs. Look for tiger muskies with stickbaits or large spinnerbaits. So far walleye action has been slow.

Whitney Point Reservoir: Slow trolling with worms around the Islands was producing some nice-sized walleye.

Chenango, Tioughnioga, Chemung and Susquehanna rivers: Try for smallmouth bass with topwaters or tube baits and look for walleye in the deeper holes with jigs or crankbaits. The rivers were in great shape at last check; maybe a little on the low side. If hot weather persists, fish the riffles in the more heavily oxygenated water.

Adirondacks

It’s a great time to fish the Adirondacks’ many lakes and ponds. We haven’t heard a lot from the backcountry brook trout crowd, but that’s typical of those tight-lipped anglers who don’t want to reveal their hotspots. Bass action should be excellent in the Saranac Chain of Lakes and other waters.

On Lake Champlain, tourney anglers connected on smallmouths and largemouths, and trollers were scoring on both lake trout and landlocked salmon.

The West Branch of the Ausable was in good shape, but keep an eye on water temperatures and give the fish a break if they approach 70 degrees. That said, cool nights have kept conditions just right for the trout. Stonefly patterns should bring up fish.

Long Island/NYC

Trophy striped bass continued to be caught off the South Shore, as evidenced by Suffolk Marine’s Striped Bass Tournament where the leaderboard was topped with two 50-pounders followed by a bunch of 40-pounders. As expected, the largest stripers have shown signs of moving east, with the biggest fish reported from Moriches Inlet to Shinnecock Inlet. These trophy stripers are feeding on the schools of bunker located in 30 to 60 feet of water. Not all schools held stripers, so the key was to work each bunker school until the stripers were found. In between looking for bunker schools, anglers did well trolling Mojo rigs with a combination of a bunker spoon and a weighted shad tail, or umbrella rigs and parachute jigs trolled on wire. The striped bass bite off Montauk has been spotty. Surprisingly, there were very few bluefish mixed in with the stripers in most areas.

The best reports of big bluefish came from the western and central Sound. Nonstop action was reported from anglers fishing the open boats during the night trips. Bunker chunks and diamond jigs all caught large bluefish.

Very good striper fishing was reported in the Western Sound, with schoolie to 30-pound plus stripers taking bunker chunks fished along the bottom and on trolled bunker spoons and Mojo rigs during the day. The night bite on bunker chunks and diamond jigs by boat anglers has been excellent. Fly rodders were reported very good fishing casting spearing imitations among the rocks on both sides of the western Sound.

There was a decent weakfish bite near Ocean Beach and a few of the deeper channels in the Great South Bay, including the State Boat Channel. The best action was before first light since boat traffic can be heavy in these areas, which quickly puts the weakfish off the feed. Bucktails tipped with squid strips or Gulp!, small diamond jigs as well as an assortment of plastic baits fished on a jighead and bounced off the bottom all produced weakfish between 2 and 5 pounds. 

There was still a good number of 4- to 6-pound fluke caught in Great South Bay, but they are moving their way from the shallower water into the deeper channels toward Jones and Fire Island inlets. There were plenty of fluke in and surrounding the inlets along the South Shore. The best tide was the incoming tide. The keeper to short ratio was about 1 in 10, and there are plenty of sea robins to wade through. Larger fluke were feeding under the schools of squid in the ocean between 30- and 80-feet of water, with a keeper to short ratio about 1 in 5. Overall the fishing was generally sporadic. The best baits remain the traditional spearing and squid strip combo, followed by tipped bucktails and plastic baits when the tides allow them to be fished effectively, typically from the last hour of outgoing tide through the first hour of the incoming tide as the currents are slower. Anglers fishing the shore on both the inside of the inlets and the adjacent ocean beaches did best casting bucktails and plastic baits on a jig head and bouncing them along the bottom as the current carried them down current.

Along the North Shore, the best fluke fishing was reported by anglers fishing 15- to 30-feet of water. Squid and spearing combo were productive, but the best action was generally reported by anglers bouncing bucktails off the bottom. There were a good number of reports of porgies mixed in the catch by anglers fishing baits. The best fishing was reported along the central portions of the North Shore.

The North Shore porgy bite remained excellent. There are plenty of smaller porgies with a mix of fish to 3 pounds being reported by anglers fishing nearly all the beaches using clams and sandworms. Larger porgies were reported by the boats fishing from Port Jefferson to Orient Point as well as in the Peconics and Gardiners Bay. Clams baits and clam chum remained the best combination. Excellent porgy fishing was reported off the northside of Montauk Point.

Scott Jeffery at East End Bait and Tackle reported that the Shinnecock Canal is still producing fluke but few keepers. The cocktail blues have been here and some keeper bass in the dark. The northern end has the porgies. The Shinnecock inlet has seen a few fluke during the day along with blues most afternoons and bass on bucktails in the dark. Also, anglers clam chumming the Ponquogue Bridge reported stripers to 36 inches.

There was very good reports of yellowfin and bigeye tuna caught by the New Jersey boats working the canyons as their water temperatures are a bit warmer than the New York canyons and shark grounds. A few sharks were reported harassing the bunker schools, mainly small makos. Bluefin tuna, blue sharks and makos should be caught with regularity from the 30-fathorm line out in the next few weeks.

The freshwater fishing for largemouth bass has been very good, especially in eastern Suffolk County. The best bite has been during first light and at dusk. Crankbaits, plastics and poppers have all been productive, with fish to 3 pounds reported. As expected, the panfish remained cooperative with bluegills, yellow perch and crappies all caught on small jigs, spinners and trout worms. There are reports of carp being caught by anglers fishing dough balls and corn in the larger lakes.

Guy Zummo 

flyfishguy@optonline.net

Capital District

Great Sacandaga Lake has been yielding some walleye on either side of the legal limit, but anglers were having better luck very early or very late in the day, especially on weekends when recreational boat traffic picks up.

Saratoga Tackle and Archery was set to launch its Tuesday night Bass Challenge tourneys on Saratoga Lake, but the initial results were not available at press time. 

Lake trout and smallmouth action was decent on Lake George, as anglers again fished early and late in the day to avoid the peak of recreational boat traffic.

Southeastern New York

The Pepacton Reservoir was yielding some brown trout for ambitious trollers (it’s a rowing game on the reservoir) but as water temps rise the fish will likely go deeper.

On Rondout Reservoir, smallmouth action was reportedly good. And Muscoot Reservoir is almost always worth a look for largemouths.

Catskills

Beaverkill and Willowemoc: Both rivers were low and clear and in decent shape for late June but warming at last look. Water temps need to be watched closely. Some large Olives were about in the morning, while evening hatches have been mostly spotty Sulphurs, some spinners and Caddis. Small nymph patterns have been effective. There were decent hatches most evenings. Insects can vary, but mostly it was spinners, Caddis and Sulphurs. There was a decent amount of surface activity and a fair number of different hatches both early and late in the day. Hatches have been dependable, with a variety of bugs including Gray Fox, Sulphurs, Olives and spinners. 

Delaware East Branch: Has fished well and was at a normal summer flow. It was wadeable at last check and actually an ideal wade level. It was too low to float. There were Sulphurs, Olives and late-day Caddis hatches. Like other rivers, the best dry fly fishing has been late day.  There were spinners in various sizes, as well as Caddis and small Olives (especially on cloudy days). There was also some spinner falls. Caddis were present most days, with most activity early and late. At this time of year, fishing is decent all the way to Hancock. 

Delaware West Branch: There were some spinners and BWOs in the morning and a reduced flow from Cannonsville would make for good wading conditions. There were a fair amount of Sulphurs as well as Olives and spinners and some decent Caddis activity. The river can be crowded at times, more so in its upper reaches  

Esopus: Was at a wadeable level.  The portal was closed. There were some Caddis and spinners. 

Neversink: Some late-day Olives and Caddis and some Sulphurs late day, as well. There has been some good Sulphur activity and small Olives. Cloudy days bring out the Olives. Late day seems to be most productive. The river needs rain. It was too warm to fish below Bridgeville. 

Delaware Main Stem: Was fishing well. There is a large variety of flies at times, usually late in the day. Look for Sulphurs, Isonychias and spinners. It has probably the best hatches but this is a moody river. This is a Caddis river with a good number of Caddis species. 

Summer fishing often means unpredictable hatches. At this time of year terrestrials and small nymphs are good choices.

www.catskillflies.com

Thousand Islands

St. Lawrence River: Take your pick right now: perch, bass or northern pike. The perch bite has been exceptional this year.

Black Lake: Much of the attention has now turned to bass, and top-water action may be picking up now. Fish early and late during the hot weather.

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New York Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – June 29, 2018

(Editor’s note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the state of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.)

Duck ID is key
(Suffolk County)

On Jan. 20, ECO Sean Rockefeller responded to a complaint of duck hunters shooting too close to homes near the Bayport Marina. Upon his arrival, Rockefeller observed three individuals hunting just off the shore in a small boat. One of the three hunters appeared to throw two ducks into the weeds. ECO Christopher Amato was called to assist and the officers approached and interviewed the trio. The ECOs asked what the hunters threw into the weeds. The hunters confessed that they had killed one scaup over their limit, as well as a second bird they could not identify, after Amato retrieved the birds. The ECO returned with both discarded birds, a scaup and a pie-billed grebe, which is a protected, non-game species. The three hunters were charged with taking ducks over the limit, one hunter was charged with unlawfully taking a protected bird, and two were charged with failing to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All of the summonses were returnable to Suffolk County First District Court.

Security detail
(Seneca County)

On Jan. 20, Lt. William Powell and ECO Shawn Dussault assisted the Seneca Falls Police Department, New York State Police, and Seneca County Sheriff’s Department with a security and public safety detail at the 2018 Women’s March in Seneca Falls. More than 10,000 people participated in the event in the small village. DLE was requested to assist with a marked UTV, which proved to be the perfect tool for this detail. In addition to traffic and crowd control, the UTV was utilized to evacuate an injured woman from the interior of the crowd where traditional emergency equipment could not access. The woman was taken three blocks away to a waiting ambulance, which then took her to a local hospital for evaluation. 

Illegal alligator mount for sale (Westchester County)

On Jan. 21, ECOs Craig Tompkins, Chad Eyler, and Kevin Wamsley seized a 5-foot-long alligator mount listed for sale on Facebook. Wamsley had received a tip from a friend concerning an ad in New Castle advertising the alligator for $500. Wamsley communicated with the individual selling the alligator and set up a time to meet. The ECOs patrolled to the location at the agreed upon time and met with the seller. The seller was issued an administrative ticket for illegally offering the alligator mount for sale and the mount was seized as evidence.

A blatant violation
(Niagara County)

On Jan. 25, ECOs Jamie Powers and George Scheer were on patrol in Niagara County when they observed a truck transporting construction and demolition debris that was not secured or covered. As the ECOs followed the truck, the officers observed four pieces of wood fall off the vehicle. Once stopped, the driver of the vehicle stated that the debris was from a home remodeling project and that he was transporting it to the transfer station. The driver also said that even though he was not going far, he was not aware that covering the solid waste was required. The ECOs issued the driver a ticket for an uncovered load of solid waste returnable to Lockport City Court. 

Tidal wetlands permit violation
(Richmond County)

On Jan. 26, ECO Michael Wozniak met with George Stadnik of DEC’s Marine Resources to view a proposed building site along tidal wetlands on Staten Island. The owner of the property has plans and permits to build along the waterfront. However, after walking the property, the ECO noted that there had been several violations of the permit conditions. DEC issued a Notice of Violation to the property owner for clearing tidal wetlands shrub vegetation along the agreed upon buffer zone.

Small game, big problem
(Sullivan County)

On Jan. 21, ECO Tom Koepf received a call from the New York State Police barracks in Liberty regarding small-game hunters trespassing on a property in Liberty. Koepf responded to the location and met the troopers and the three hunters. One of the hunters said that they had been hunting the property on the side of the road where the complaint originated, and that he had taken a rabbit with one shot. The hunter also stated that after he fired, someone came out of a house nearby and began yelling that they were trespassing. The hunter led the officers down a power line, following his own footprints in the snow to show where he had fired. He then pointed to a location where he said he was standing when he shot, which was fairly close to several nearby residences. The two officers searched the area but were unable to find the spent shotgun shell casing, which seemed odd given the fact that there was undisturbed snow all around. Koepf contacted ECO Ricky Wood to ask for his assistance with K-9 Deming, as he wanted to verify exactly where the hunter had discharged his firearm. Wood arrived with K-9 Deming, but Deming was unable to locate any spent shell casings in the area. Wood began to work Deming in other areas along the power line and after a short time, Deming discovered three spent 20-gauge shotshell casings, which matched the rounds the hunter was using. The location was within 200 feet of the complainant’s home. When presented with the evidence, the hunter admitted to firing three shots from that location. The hunter was issued a ticket for discharging a firearm within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, returnable Liberty Town Court. 

Out of season stripers
(Rockland County)

On Jan. 29, ECOs Melissa Burgess and Corey Hornicek patrolled Piermont Pier in Rockland County after receiving an anonymous complaint that striped bass were being kept during the closed season. Upon their arrival, the ECOs observed four male subjects fishing from shore. Hornicek interviewed two individuals who both possessed valid fishing licenses and found nothing amiss, while Burgess interviewed the other two subjects, learning that one had never possessed a fishing license and the other had an expired license. Both subjects claimed to have only been fishing for 20 minutes with no luck. After surveying the area, four illegal stripers were recovered. The subject with the expired fishing license admitted to catching one striper he had hidden under the ice. The subject without a license admitted that he had caught three stripers. The four striped bass were seized and the men were issued three tickets returnable to Piermont Village Court.

Doe taken out of season
(Erie County)

On Jan. 30, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement was contacted by a man who witnessed two men shoot a deer out of a pickup truck in the town of Concord. A doe carcass was left about 60 yards from the road where they had shot. ECOs Timothy Machnica and Mark Mazurkiewicz arrived on scene and located the deer carcass and an open can of beer. The ECOs’ investigation led to two town of Concord men, who initially denied involvement. Two days later, both suspects came forward and gave statements to the officers, admitting that they had shot the deer. Each of the subjects was charged with illegally taking a wild deer, taking wildlife with the aid of a motor vehicle, taking wildlife from a public highway, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and discharging a firearm on a public highway. The charges were returnable in Concord Justice Court, where both men faced possible penalties of up to $5,375 and revocation of their hunting privileges.

Too much luck fishing
(Essex County)

On Feb. 6, ECO Jeff Hovey was patrolling ice fishing activity on Lincoln Pond in the town of Elizabethtown when he spoke to a fisherman who had a large German shepherd with him on the ice. At first, all seemed to check out. The fisherman had a valid license, was using legal tip-ups, and showed Hovey several northern pike he had caught within the daily possession and size limit. The subject claimed that these were the only fish he had caught. However, Hovey heard flopping sounds coming from a bucket in the back of the man’s UTV. Inside the bucket the ECO discovered a largemouth bass and several more northern pike. The final tally of the fisherman’s catch was two yellow perch, eight northern pike, and one largemouth bass, resulting in Hovey issuing the fisherman appearance tickets for taking bass out of season and three fish over the five-fish possession limit for northern pike. 

A shot leads to an arrest
(Suffolk County)

On Jan. 21, ECO Tim Fay was en route to assist ECO Christopher Amato with a violation in the town of Brookhaven when he heard multiple shots coming from nearby woods. A quick call to Amato confirmed the shots were not related to his work, so Fay entered the woods to determine the origin of the shots. A short distance away, he observed a man with a long gun going into a trailer parked at a construction yard. Fay identified himself and asked the man what he was shooting at. The man stated he was shooting his .22 caliber rifle in a sand pit. Fay explained to the man that it was a crime to possess a rifle afield on Long Island, secured the rifle, and went with the man to the sand pit to see where he was shooting. DEC dispatch determined that the man had an active arrest warrant out of New York City and multiple felony convictions. Investigator Kevin Cummings and Amato responded to Fay’s location to assist as Fay arrested the man for possessing a rifle afield on Long Island and criminal possession of a weapon, both misdemeanors. The defendant was processed for the arrest and held overnight at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The following morning, he was transported to Suffolk County District Court for arraignment and then picked up by the NYPD on the outstanding warrant. 

Junkyard piles and leaking parts
(Westchester County)

On Jan. 31, ECOs Dustin Dainack, Craig Tompkins, Chad Eyler, Kevin Wamsley, and Aaron Bonilla, along with Lt. Meg Filmer and members of the Mount Vernon police and fire departments, conducted a saturation detail focusing on auto repair shops and dismantlers. At one of the sites the team inspected, a vehicle dismantling yard, ECOs found mountains of engines and transmissions leaking oil, huge piles of lead acid batteries, waste tires, burn barrels of trash next to oil and gas tanks, and cars stacked haphazardly on one another. The ground was caked in mud and oil. Dainack issued five summonses to the business for failing to store lead acid batteries as required, failing to collect, store, and treat vehicle fluids as required, depositing noisome and unwholesome substances on a highway, open burning of solid waste, and failure to prevent solid waste residuals from migrating off site. In addition, the City of Mount Vernon Fire Department issued multiple fire code violations. Dainack and DEC staff will revisit the site to ensure it is cleaned and brought to compliance.

More than just antlers
(Richmond County)

On Feb. 4, ECOs Taylor Della Rocco and Mary Grose responded to a call from a member of the public who had been hunting for shed deer antlers with a friend on Staten Island when they found a camouflage blanket wrapped around a box of weapons hidden in the woods. Della Rocco and Grose located the plastic box, which was painted tan and wrapped in a camouflage blanket. It contained a paintball gun, multiple air-powered firearms, a small hand-held crossbow, a flare gun, several homemade knives, switchblades, and box of .22 caliber rifle rounds. The ECOs called the New York Police Department and turned the weapons over to be itemized and secured as evidence. The ECOs suspect that the owner of the items may have been hunting illegally in the area. The investigation will continue.     

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Why Enlightened Equipment Quilts are All the Rage

Go to a thru-hike campsite, and chances are you’ll see an Enlightened Equipment quilt. This is why long distance hikers love the lightweight sleeping quilt.

I’ve used the Revelation 40- and 20-degree quilts for the past three years on sections of the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, and Arizona Trail. I’ve also slept in them many nights in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

So I know why they are so popular.

In short: Enlightened Equipment quilts (such as the Revelation, and Enigma) are super light, warm, and versatile sleeping options for those aiming for fast and light.

Enlightened Equipment Quilt Review

In the hiking world, the words “ounce, pound, and baseweight” have become more common. Hikers are honing their kits and seeking lighter options. Typical sleeping bag setups wrap us like a burrito with insulation on top and sides, with a sleeping pad below.

But the bottom insulation on a sleeping bag is essentially wasted material because the user compresses it. Thus, to maintain comfort and function while cutting weight, the quilt was born.

The Enlightened Equipment 20-degree Revelation Quilt with 850 Down Tek treated down weighs just 1 pound 4 ounces. That saves a pound or more compared to many popular 20-degree mummy bags.

Enlightened Equipment Quilt: Versatility

With a 20-inch zipper and drawstring to open or close the foot box as needed, the Revelation can be used as a blanket on warmer nights. When temperatures dip, the pad can tighten around the user’s body. Cinch the elastic straps down around you for added warmth.

These options provide versatility for use from warm summer nights to chilly fall evenings.

Customizable Camping Quilts

From 20 color combinations to down fill, size, and material, Enlightened Equipment offers myriad ways to customize your quilt. The Revelation comes with the option of either 850 or 950 Down Tek treated down. The treatment resists moisture and helps down dry out quicker if it does get wet.

It comes in temp ratings from 0 to 50 degrees degrees Fahrenheit. The size options run extra-short to extra-long lengths, and slim, regular, wide, and extra-wide. Nylon options range from 7D, 10D (most popular), and 20D. The 20D option is popular for increased durability and water resistance (while sacrificing a weight gain of course).

I chose the 10D fabric for both the inside and outside of my 20- and 40-degree bags. I add the option of 20D weather-resistant fabric strips added to both the top opening and foot box. This heavier fabric trip cuts down on moisture retention from breathing and toes touching the sides of my single-wall tent.

Made in the USA

All Enilghtened Equipment products are handmade in Winona, Minnesota. Turnaround time on custom products can vary, typically from four to six weeks. Luckily for those in a pinch, the brand offers on-the-shelf sections on its website. It has a larger selection in its warehouse, updated every Monday at 1:00 p.m. (central).

Enlightened Equipment Quilt Price

The average 20-degree Revelation quilt comes in at $285. It comes with two elastic straps, a silnylon stuff sack, and a 100 percent organic cotton storage sack. Prices vary depending on fill, temperature rating, and fabric options.

Often times buying ultralight gear means swallowing an ultra-huge hit to the wallet. Given the comfort, weight, packability, durability, and ability to customize, the price tag on the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt is remarkably affordable.

Overall, I highly recommend checking out the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt if you are in the market for a lightweight 3-season backpacking quilt. It is incredibly versatile, from blanket to a fully-wrapped (hoodless) mummy bag. It has been my go-to choice for the last three years and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

The post Why Enlightened Equipment Quilts are All the Rage appeared first on GearJunkie.

Will Wisconsin grouse hunters see earlier end to pending season?

Ohio to take part in Operation Dry Water

A new spot for hunting and fishing

Wisconsin Outdoor News Fishing Report – June 29, 2018

ASHLAND AREA

There isn’t a lot to report right now due to the heavy rain storms. There have been anglers trying their luck on docks and getting some bass. Anglers are waiting for the water to clear up and hoping for safe access to the bay. Anglers need to use caution. Due to the huge storms, there is floating debris and even large trees and other obstructions coming in from Fish Creek. With higher water, there are floating materials coming in. Water clarity off of Kakagon Sloughs and the Sand Cut area is bad; however, the Fish Creek area is as red as can be.

Angler’s All, (715) 682-5754.

River Rock, (715) 682-3232.

DOOR PENINSULA AND ALGOMA/KEWAUNEE AREA

Fishing out on the lake has been going pretty good. Decent numbers of fishing are being reported out of Algoma, Sturgeon Bay and Bailey’s Harbor. Some fish are getting caught around the Gill’s Rock area and on Washington Island, so it’s starting to happen. The kings that have been caught have been huge, along with a handful of very big rainbows. Flashers, spoons, and flies are working in 100 to 350 feet of water.

Bass fishing is still going well, and fish are showing all phases of the spawn. There were some pre-spawn fish to the north, along with spawning fish and a good post-spawn bite to the south – from Sturgeon Bay and south to Little Sturgeon. Depths vary from as shallow as 2 feet out to the 15-foot mark.

Perch fishing is starting to pick up in downtown Sturgeon Bay and at Sawyer Harbor, the Flats, Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay. Walleyes have been a bit slower, but they are still providing good action for fishermen who put in their time. Try trolling with crankbaits and crawler harnesses around the Henderson’s Point area, Larsen’s Reef and Monument Shoal.

Howie’s Tackle, (920) 746-9916.

Algoma Chamber of Commerce, (920) 487-3090.

EAGLE RIVER AREA

Walleye fishing has been good, with good numbers reported on the Eagle River chain, but no great size yet. As the mayfly hatch develops, we’ll see a lot more walleyes on the mud flats chasing nymphs. Minnows and crawlers are working at this point. On the bigger lakes the fish are still mostly after minnows in the weeds in 6 to 12 feet. Evenings will find the fish moving shallower to feed, but try the rock bars next to deeper water. Bass fishing has been very good for both species. As far as baits go, just about anything will work for largemouths. For smallies, use any crayfish imitations, wacky worms and surface baits. Muskie action has been slow. Each year they seem to start hitting later than we would like, and this year is no exception. Small baits are still more effective than the larger “regular” muskie baits.

Eagle Sports Center, (715) 479-8804.

FLORENCE COUNTY AREA

It’s early, but so far the 2018 fishing season is off to a good start. Few anglers have been going home empty handed. Bass action has been excellent. Largemouths are hitting on topwater lures and spinners, while leeches and worms have been producing the best bite for smallmouths. Walleye action has been steady. A lot of small catches have been reported, but anglers are catching some decent eaters. Northern pike action has been good with some real nice catches from 33 and 38 inches. Muskie anglers are having some success. Try fishing weed edges near drop-offs with a bucktail or jerkbait.

Whisler Outdoors, (715) 528-4411.

GREEN BAY/APPLETON AREA

Most anglers using the metro launch are catching walleye limits, or close to it. Many anglers reported high numbers of freshwater drum and catfish, with some of each species being very large in size. Voyager Park saw high numbers of white bass being caught, along with a few freshwater drum and smallmouth bass. At Bayshore Park, the walleye catch last week was low and inconsistent. There were a couple boats that caught limits, but the average haul consisted of two to three walleyes for half a day on the water. The only thing anglers could catch with any reliability was freshwater drum.

Smokey’s on the Bay Bait, Tackle and Guide Service, (920) 436-0600.

HAYWARD AREA

Muskie action is solid, though with no particular bait pattern. Summer patterns are starting to take hold and it will probably not be long before we move into trolling season. Walleyes are active and during daylight hours, fish brush and sunken bogs in 18 to 20 feet. In the evening, fish weedy breaklines in 6 to 12 feet. Use minnows and leeches, with leeches the primary choice. Northern pike are concentrated around heavy cover and weeds where they are hitting just about everything. Smallmouth bass fishing is very good. 

Hayward Bait, (715) 634-2921.

Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, (800) 724-2992.

LA CROSSE AREA

If you haven’t been paying attention to water levels the biggest factor for fishing in the next few weeks will be water height. We are forecasted to get to 12.5 feet at the La Crosse gauge, which will be 6 inches over flood stage. It will be really interesting to see how the Bass Masters Tournament goes with water rising as fast as it is. Just because the water is going up doesn’t mean that there won’t be fishing opportunities. Explore new areas when there is high water. The fish will be moving off of the main channel and into the backwaters to get out of the current. Guys do really well on panfish and bass in flooded timber, chutes and sloughs. If you can target the areas that the fish are moving into you can have a day that will be hard to beat.

Schafer’s Boats, (608) 781-3100.

Bob’s Bait and Tackle, (608) 782-5552.

LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES

Bluegills were spawning on most area lakes. Look for them around gravel near green weeds – and as shallow as 2 feet to as deep as 25 feet. Foam spiders or poppers produced in shallow water areas during calm conditions. Crappie fishing was best during early morning or evening hours when they were suspended near weeds or wood in 8 to 15 feet of water. Slip bobber rigs were really doing a good job. Largemouth bass were most active near weeds, wood, or piers in 5 to 12 feet of water. Smallmouths were caught near rocky areas, points, and along breaks on tube jigs, skirted grubs, swim baits, drop-shot rigs, and jerkbaits. Walleye anglers did best fishing along weed edges in 12 to 18 feet of water with a weedless jig or slip bobber rig baited with a leech, half a nightcrawler, fathead or chub. Muskie action has been relatively slow, with many anglers reporting lazy follows.

DNR hotline, (414) 382-7920.

Smokey’s Bait Shop, (262) 691-0360.

Dick Smith’s Bait, (262) 646 2218.

LAKE WINNEBAGO AREA

Fishing interest had been light for the past week because of the weather, but the guys who have been going out were catching walleyes over the mud flats while trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits.

Critter’s, (920) 582-0471.

Fox River Bait, (920) 233-7409.

MADISON AREA

Bluegills have moved to weed lines and off-shore rock piles on all lakes around town. Smallmouths are also on the weed edges and rock piles now. Leeches under slip bobbers are working for smallmouths. Anglers are also catching some small walleyes on the bobber rigs. Largemouths have been active on Mendota and Waubesa lakes. Some muskies have been seen – and even caught – on Lake Monona where the water clarity is a little better than the rest of the chain.

D&S Bait, (608) 244-3474.

Dorn Hardware, (608) 244-5403.

MARINETTE/OCONTO AREA

In Oconto County, fishing pressure was light on the Oconto Rive, but anglers had some success catching catfish, northern pike, perch, and smallmouth bass on the Oconto breakwater and in the harbor. Boat anglers reported success on channel catfish, pike, perch, smallmouth bass, and walleyes. At the Stiles dam and iron bridge area, anglers caught crappies, northern pike, and smallmouth bass despite the fact that fishing pressure was relatively low.

In Marinette County, fewer anglers were on the Menominee River because of the weather, but some anglers still had successful trips. Boom Landing anglers had success on catfish, crappies, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. At the Mystery Ship ramp fishing pressure was down, too, but anglers had some success on catfish, northern pike, and walleyes. Menekaunee Harbor anglers reported success on northern pike and walleyes.

Fishing pressure on the Peshtigo River was concentrated on the river mouth area last week. Anglers there caught northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleyes. A few anglers even caught muskies last week. Peshtigo dam area anglers caught some suckers and smallmouth bass.

MINOCQUA/WOODRUFF/LAKE TOMAHAWK AREA

Rains have been very heavy, causing lake and flowage levels to rise. A few decent reports drizzled in (Hah! Comedy!), but most trips were canceled over Father’s Day weekend due to the electric storms.

Largemouth bass fishing has been good to fair. Topwater action was good towards evenings; wacky worming reigned during the day.

Walleye fishing has been fair. Tough bite, but there were a few good reports from anglers night fishing with lighted slip-floats after dusk using jumbo leeches.

Smallmouth bass action has been fair. Try X-Raps and Husky Jerks along 7- to 10-foot rocky breaks.

Muskie fishing has been fair to poor. It has been generally quiet on the muskie front. Top-water lures have been drawing some strikes, followed by 700 series bucktails and jointed shallow-running cranks. 

Island Sport Shop, (715) 356-4797.

J and J Sports, (715) 277-2616.

NECEDAH/NEKOOSA AREA

The fishing has been off recently with all of the storms flushing water and debris into the Petenwell Flowage, but the good news is that walleyes have been providing the best action during this time. Fishing will improve if the rains stop and the water goes down.

Petenwell Sports, (608) 564 7707.

WAUSAU AREA

Surface temperature on the Eau Claire River at the store location in Schofield was 72 degrees on June 19. Local fishing reports are encouraging with some of the smaller county lakes supplying good catches of panfish. Mud, Pike and Mission lakes are some of the more noteworthy spots. Emerging weed lines prove to be hiding some nice bass, with buzz baits and frogs producing some great topwater action. Wisconsin River anglers are finding crappies suspended in 10 to 15 feet on a jig and a minnow. Northern pike fishermen are struggling with an almost mid-summer type slowdown in action. Water levels are high with the recent rains. Anglers are advised to take extra precautions when angling in high water conditions.

Riverside Rentals & Bait Shop, (715) 574-1771.

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Wisconsin Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – June 29, 2018

District 4 — Woodruff area

Warden Tim Price, of Eagle River, removed a 1,200-pound dead horse from the Eagle River Chain of Lakes in May. The horse went missing in mid-February.

Warden Price participated in the Eagle River Elementary School’s first ever conservation fair. Price spoke with several fourth graders about his job as a conservation warden.

Warden Mike Sealander, of St. Germain, assisted the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department and Lac Du Flambeau Police Department in May with the search for a missing person. The operation utilized an underwater remotely operated vehicle. The missing person was found deceased on Pokegama Lake.

Warden Stan Lewis, of Three Lakes, made contact with three individuals who shot off a DNR gate lock and were found camping illegally near the Rainbow Flowage. Cannabis and drug paraphernalia were found. Enforcement action was taken against all three individuals.

Warden Chris Bartelt, of Lake Tomahawk, worked with the Woodruff Police Department on a case involving walleye bag limit violations, as well as fishing without a license. Enforcement actions were taken.

Warden Timothy Ebert, of Minocqua, worked on the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest in May and took enforcement actions for possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle.

District 5 — Lower St. Croix area

Warden Isaac Kruse, of St. Croix County, investigated a complaint of a New Richmond resident pumping out their own septic tank onto the ground into their backyard. It was determined the occupants of the residence had pumped out their septic system onto their neighbor’s property at least five times. The location where the pumping occurred was approximately 30 to 40 yards from the Willow River. Enforcement action was taken.

Warden Jaime McDermid, of Menomonie, and Lt. Michael Melgaard, of Baldwin, were requested by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department to assist with a search for three lost/missing persons who had been tubing on the Chippewa River in southern Dunn County. A severe thunderstorm was moving through the area as the wardens responded with a shallow water jet drive boat to search the river corridor. The wardens searched several miles of the river in the dark during the storm. Sheriff’s department deputies and area fire department rescue personnel also responded to the area and assisted with the search. After several hours, a firefighter located the tubers walking on a bike trail. They were uninjured and had exited the river prior to their prescribed exit location due to one of their tubes becoming deflated.

District 6 — Eau Claire area

Wardens Kevin Christorf, of Cornell, and Bob Kneeland, of Chippewa Falls, followed up with an illegal turtle investigation near Chippewa Falls in May. It was determined that the person had been illegally harvesting turtles, as well as being involved with multiple deer violations that included hunting deer without a valid license. Enforcement action was taken.

Wardens Bob Kneeland and Kevin Christorf assisted Chippewa County deputies in an attempt to find an armed homicide suspect. The wardens assisted the county deputies in the execution of a search warrant on the suspect’s home at 1:30 a.m. The suspect was eventually found later that week and was arrested without incident.

Wardens Jake Bolks, of Eau Claire, and McDermid were patrolling on Memorial Day on the Chippewa River, upstream of Riverview Park, when they were contacted by a kayak fisherman who explained that he had found a sturgeon, still alive, that had been shot by a bow fisherman. Unfortunately, the large fish did not survive the wounding. An investigation is ongoing.

Wardens Bolks and Christorf investigated the case of individuals using and damaging a Black River State Forest-owned skid steer. They used the heavy machinery to attempt to remove and free their stuck personal vehicle. The suspects caused more than $1,000 in damage to the skid steer. Enforcement action was taken.

Wardens Ken Thomson, of Fall Creek, and Bolks continued their investigation into a car that was intentionally pushed into the Eau Claire River. After an evening of illegal “mudding” on county trails, the vehicle broke down. Instead of towing the vehicle out, the group decided to dispose of it by pushing it off a large cliff and into the Eau Claire River. Enforcement action was taken, with removal of the vehicle still pending as of press time.

District 7 — Wisconsin Rapids area

Warden Erika Taylor, of Marshfield, responded to an ATV accident along with a Wood County Sheriff’s Department deputy. The ATV rider was wearing a helmet and was injured during the crash. Taylor followed up with the family at the hospital to complete the necessary paperwork following the crash.

Warden Taylor received a report of a fawn found on the road near a deceased doe. Taylor made contact with the individual who located the fawn and took possession of it, then made arrangements to have it transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center. If you encounter a fawn that appear to be abandoned, it is always best to call a game warden instead of removing the animal.

Warden Josh Litvinoff, of Schofield, investigated a complaint involving minnow trapping and moving the live minnows to another water body. Enforcement action was taken for illegal transport of live fish.

Warden Jon Scharbarth, of Stevens Point, attended a town of Grant ATV committee meeting in May to discuss possible ATV routes in the area.

Warden Supervisor Korey Trowbridge responded to a fish-spearing complaint and found two individuals bowfishing immediately below a hydro dam. Enforcement action was taken for fishing within prohibited distance of a lock or dam.

Wardens Litvinoff, Scharbarth and Trowbridge participated in the annual Wisconsin River Clean-UP project that took place on Lake Wausau in May.

District 8 — La Crosse area

Wardens Dale Hochhausen, of Onalaska, was checking fishermen at the Onalaska spillway when an angler showed up and handed Hochhausen a paper fishing license to check prior to the person actually fishing. The paper license was actually a receipt of the fishing license transaction, but the individual’s first name had been cut out. Hochhausen determined the person issued the fishing license wasn’t the same as the person who had just handed the paper to Hochhausen. The man initially stated the receipt was for a license that he purchased and his first name was screwed up. It was determined the receipt belonged to the person’s older brother. The potential fisherman didn’t have a valid fishing license and was told to go buy a license, which he later did.

Warden Shawna Stringham, of Viroqua, attended the Vernon County .22 shoot for kids held at the Westby Rod and Gun in May. There were more than 80 students who attended the event.

Warden Meghan Jensen, of Trempealeau, teamed with Minnesota Conservation Officer Tom Hemker, of Winona, Minn., to patrol boaters and individuals fishing on the Mississippi River on Memorial Day. Upon contact with two separate anglers, it was found that they both possessed largemouth bass that were a few inches smaller than the legal size limit. Enforcement action was taken with each individual.

Warden Bob Jumbeck, of Alma, while checking a group of shore anglers in May, observed one of the men attempt to hide his wallet inside the vehicle. Upon further investigation, it was determined the individual had an active warrant for his arrest in an adjacent county. The individual was arrested.

Warden Nate Ackerman, of Durand, assisted Minnesota’s Wabasha County Sheriff’s Department, Wabasha Fire Incident Command, and multiple other agencies in a body recovery operation in May. Ackerman used sonar and visually checked areas for the missing sail boater.

District 9 — Black River Falls area

Wardens Matt Groppi, of Black River Falls, and Meghan Jensen, of Trempealeau, followed up on a case regarding timber harvests that occurred during the fall and winter. The person did not file cutting notices with Jackson County for harvesting timber on two properties, which the person said he has been logging for 10 to 15 years and had never filed a cutting notice with the county because he didn’t know one was required. Enforcement action was taken.

Warden Wade Romberg, of Friendship, investigated complaints of bow fisherman leaving fish carcasses on the shoreline after shooting them. Romberg took enforcement action against several individuals who were found leaving the carcasses on the shoreline, and throwing them back into the water (which also is not legal), and for fishing without licenses.

Warden Patrick Seybert, of Necedah, contacted a fisherman at Cox Hollow Lake in Governor Dodge State Park. The subject was found to be fishing without a license and was arrested for an outstanding child support warrant. The subject was transported to the Iowa County jail.

Wardens Michael Weber, of Mauston, and Patrick Seybert, of Necedah, responded to a hunting incident in the town of Richfield in Adams County. They found that a turkey hunter had shot himself in the foot while attempting to attach a turkey fan to his shotgun.

Wardens Michael Weber and Wade Romberg responded to a boating accident on the Wisconsin River near the Hwy. 82 bridge. The conservation wardens found that the boat capsized after the boat was swept into a stressed situataion because the operator could not get the outboard started. Although the boat fully sank, the operator and the remaining boat occupants did not suffer any injuries.

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Wisconsin Outdoor News Calendar – June 29, 2018

Banquets/Fundraisers 

July 21: Pickerel Chain Lake Assoc. Fundraiser Picnic, 3-7 p.m., Oughton Park, Townsend. For more info e-mail Drew Zelle dmzelle48@gmail.com

Aug. 2: Lakeshore Chapter RMEF Banquet, 5:30 p.m., The Village, Sheboygan Falls. For more info call Gary Haas, 920-377-6119.

Aug. 3: Iowa County DU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Dodger Bowl, Dodgerville. For more info call Joe Philpps, 608-574-3317.

Aug. 4: Wausaw WWA Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Weston Lanes, Weston. For more info call Melanie Love, 715-393-5992.

Aug. 10: State Line Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, Janesville. For more info call Kellie, 815-985-4165.

Aug. 16: North Central WI Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m., Mountain Bay Banquet Center, Weston. For more info call Craig, 715-573-2702.

Aug. 19: Springbrook Sportsmans Club Banquet, 9 a.m. For more info www.springbrooksports.com

Aug. 22: South West WI Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m., Belmont Conference Center, Belmont. For more info call Mark, 520-730-9252.

Aug. 23: Southern Grant County WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., J&J’s Sandbar, Cassville. For more info call Jenny Reding, 608-725-5055.

Sept. 6: Wisconsin Wildlife Federation 4E Banquet, 5 p.m., Shooters Restaurant, Plover. For more info call Kim Foster, 715-341-8880.

Sept. 6: West Central WI Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m., Jake’s Northwoods, Sparta. For more info call Robert, 715-214-7098.

Sept. 8: Coulee Region Friends of NRA Banquet, 5 p.m., Fox Hollow Golf Course, La Crosse. For more info call Lucas, 608-317-9926.

Sept. 10: Necedah Area WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, Necedah. For more info call Jeff Ritchart, 920-960-4836.

Sept. 20: Southern Fountain City WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Hilltop Bar & Saloon, Fountain City. For more info call Jim Hentges, 608-687-3732.

Oct. 6: Colfax Sportsmen’s Club, 6 p.m., Whitetail Golf Course, Colfax. For more info call Peggy Richards, 715-704-0493.

Archery/Shoots.

New London Bowhunters Schedule of Events, N5433 Old Hwy 45, New London WI. For more info call Greg Eidenberger, 920-851-0454.

June, July & Aug.: Two 3D Leagues.

July 15: 3D Shoot, 8 a.m.

Aug. 4-5: 3D Shoot, 8-3 p.m.

* * *

Twin Cities Rod & Gun Club, Schedule of events. For more info call Don Burrows, 920-419-6505.

July 21-22, Aug. 18-19: 3D Archery Shoot, 8-3 p.m.

* * *

Menomonie Archery Club, Shoot Schedule, 608 Crestview Ct. Menomonie, WI. For more info call Mike, 715-308-5437.

July 21-22, Aug. 25-26: 3D Shoots.

July 28-29: Traditional Only.

* * *

Bald Eagle Sportsmen’s Association. Schedule of shoots. For more info call Todd Gallaty, 651-373-4202.

Now-July 18: 3D League, Wed., 4-8 p.m.

Aug. 5, Sept. 2: Archery 3D Courses, 8-2 p.m.

* * *

Puckaway Rod & Gun Club, Schedule. For more info call Mark Dugenske, 920-394-3396 or Ed Mansueto, 920-745-2116.

July 7: Trap Shoots.

July 7, Aug. 11, Sept. 1: Archery Shoots.

Aug. 4: BBQ.

* * *

Mishicot Sportsmen’s Club Schedule of Events.13804 Jambo Creek Road, Mishicot, WI. For more info call Roger, 920-323-4882.

Aug. 18-19: Fall Archery Tournament.

* * *

Toad Creek Archers Schedule of Shoots. For more info call Chris Baumgart, 920-213-1161.

July 20: Coon Shoot, 9 p.m.-?

Aug. 4: 3D Targets, 9-5 p.m.

* * *

Buck Trail Archers Schedule of shoots. For more info call Dave Caldwell, 262-763-9656. or
www.bucktrailarchers.net

July 10-Sept. 11: 3D Targets, Tues.

Aug. 25-26: Mr. Howie Memorial Shoot, 8-3:30 p.m.

* * *

Sparta Rod & Gun Club. Archery Schedule. For more info call Don Schwarz, 608-343-9022 or www.spartarg.com

July 13-15: Shoot, Fri. 10 a.m., Sat & Sun. 6:30 a.m.

* * *

Hartford Conservation & Gun Club, Shoots. 6000 State Rd 60 East, Hartford, WI 53027. For more info call Brad Koch, 262-224-4545.

July 29, Aug. 26: Shoot, 8-3 p.m.

Tournament/Contest

June 29-July 1: GLSF Club Salmon & Trout Fishing Derby, Port Washington. For more info call 262-644-8481.

Aug. 18: Westshore Sportsman’s Club, Lake Michigan Fishing Tournament. For more info call Mike Krizizke, 920-860-0754.

Aug. 25: Dan & Connies Fishing Classic, 7-4 p.m., Sand Lake Pub, Phelps. For more info call Dan or Connie, 715-545-3200.

Sept. 2: Swen Musky Tournament, Hillside Resort, 8 a.m. For more info call Rob Andersen, 715-547-3646.

Oct. 5-7: Phelps Chamber of Commerce Midwest Musky Classic Tournament, 8-6 p.m., Phelps Chamber of Commerce. For more info call Celeste Hendrickson, 715-545-3800.

* * *

Upper Mississippi Bass Challenge. For more info call Rick Nemitz, 608-386-2733.

July 21: Trempealeau, WI, Pools 7 & 8, Lock Landing 4 & 5 Power Plant Landing.

Sept. 8: Fountain City, WI, Pool 5 & 5a, boat landing.

Season Dates

Aug. 2-12, 2018: DNR Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage Conservation Booth at Wisconsin State Fair.

Oct. 31, 2018: Halloween – Halloween hikes the weekend of Oct. 27-28 and other weekends at various state properties.

Shows

July 29: Northwoods Wildlife & Wetlands Gun Show, 8-4 p.m., Manitowish Waters Community Center. For more info call Bruce Bacon, 715-476-0016.

Aug. 3-5: Deer Fest, Washington County Fair Park, West Bend. Visit the Outdoor News Booth. www.deerfestwi.com for more info.

Sept. 28-29: Westfield Lions Club Gun Show, Fri. noon-9 p.m., Sat. 9-5 p.m. For more info call Carl Brakebush, 608-296-3828.

Oct. 5-6: Turtle Lake Fire Dist. Gun Show, Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 9-3 p.m., Brother’s Event Center. For more info call 715-986-4516.

* * *

Ray Kangas Productions Gun & Knife Shows 2018. Fri. 3-8 p.m., Sat. 9-4 p.m. For more info call Ray Kangas, 715-372-4654.

July 6-7: Iron River, Community Center.

July 13-14: Simek Recreation Center, Medford.

Aug. 24-25: Ashland Civic Center, Ashland.

Special Events 

July 31: Rhinelander Friends of NRA Gun-O-Rama, 4:30 p.m., Hodag Sports Club, Rhinelander. For more info call Roy, 715-369-4959.

Education/Seminars 

July 30: Village of Kimberly Park & Rec, Hunters Safety Class, 7:30 a.m. For more info call Lee Hammen, 920-788-7507.

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Gander Mountain, Green Bay Lodge, 2323 Woodman Drive. For more info call Dave Nolan, 920-819-5025.

Second Tues. of Each Month: Waterfowl Calling Workshop, 7-8 p.m.

* * *

Sandhill Wildlife Area Events. Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413. For more info call 715-884-2437.

July 14: What is a Barrens, 9-3 p.m.

Aug. 18: Mobile Citizen Science, 10-2 p.m.

Sept. 15: Basics of Photography, 9:30-12:30 p.m.

Oct. 27: Crane Watch, 3 p.m.

Dec. 1: Christmas Wreath Workshop, 2-4 p.m.

Women’s Programs 

Aug. 24-26: Wisconsin State Women in the Outdoors, Camp Anokijig, Plymouth. For more info call Dina Rundell, 608-235-4782.

Meetings

Horicon Marsh Hunting Retriever Club. Meets Monday at Hustisford and Thurs. at Fond du Lac. For more info www.hmhrc.org

Mishcot Sportsmen’s Club meets every month on the 1st Wed of each month, 8 p.m. For more info call Roger, 920-323-4882.

River Valley Outdoorsmen meets 1st Wed. of the month, 1,000 Is. Environmental Center, 7 p.m. For more info call Bryan Menting,
920-213-1611.

Brown County Chapter Izaak Walton League meets 2nd Tues. 6 p.m., Osprey Point Environmental Center, De Pere. For more info call Peter Daanen, 920-632-4452.

The post Wisconsin Outdoor News Calendar – June 29, 2018 appeared first on Outdoornews.

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