In this episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport, your humble host reports the Regular Big Game season in NY's southern zone has ended, with the extended season now open through 12/21. The holiday hunt will go on unimpeded across the southern zone as well, as the regulation providing county opt out was shelved by DEC this year.
In other news, Governor Hochul has vetoed the antler restriction bill that would have added 3H and 3K to the mandatory buck harvest restriction, harming DEC's ability to more effectively manage deer. Her veto was issued December 10.
DEC has also announced another round of regulatory proposals aimed at Freshwater Fishing and streamlining the fishing regulations, with a 60-day comment ending February 6, 2022. Changes proposed include streamlining trout ponds and lakes regulations, eliminating the lake trout and Atlantic salmon regulations, allowing ice fishing in trout ponds (year round fishing), with harvest allowed as 5 per day, with only 2 exceeding 12 inches, while ponds stocked for brook trout will be closed Oct 16-March 31. Other elements include changing Oneida Lake walleye regs back to the 15 inch and 5-per day statewide standard, creating a year round, no daily limit, 12 inch minimum for walleye on Skaneateles Lake, as well as some technical changes that were missed when latest regulations guide book was produced. Also proposed is changing the opening days of fishing seasons to start and end on a hard date, vs a specific Saturday. Walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger musky would open May 1, statewide muskellunge season would start June 1, and black bass would open June 15. Submit comments to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or you can mail comments to the DEC Inland Fisheries Unit, DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753.
Our second segment is sponsored by Chautauqua Reel Outdoors Guide and Tackle, 165 West Fairmont Ave, Lakewood, NY. Stop by and say hi!.
2021 has been the year for record fish being caught, and this continues with two new records reported - in North Carolina, a record Red Hind was caught, and in Minnesota, the 64-year record muskellunge was broken November 22 by a 55 lb, 57.75 inch monster.
A new ice derby is slated for Chautauqua Lake this year, which will be a measure your catch and submit two photos via email, with 6 different species in play. Derby entries commence December 15, and anglers can enter at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors. Entry fee is $25, and is open to all. Angler 16 years and up must have a valid NYS fishing license, and under 16 requires parental consent. Derby runs from Jan 15- Feb 27, with an after tournament awards ceremony TBD, depending on covid covid covid nonsense.
Your humble host also gives credit where credit is due, and good DEC has done much to bring information to outdoors enthusiasts on where to fish, find public lands and hunt, trails, campsites, and more. Sometimes they deserve to be questioned, and maybe even chastised, but sometimes they also deserve a thank you. For their efforts with their website, and new app HuntFishNY, the DEC deserves a big thank you and kudos. BOW in the Snow registration is also open, closing tomorrow, for the Feb 4-6 event.
Finally, your humble host reveals even more problems for renewable energy scams, as actions in Ohio is leading to the State Supreme Court, and many conflicting claims have been discovered coming from NYSERDA in their support or wind and solar, yet the numbers they present make no sense. NYISO is also warning of major grid reliability issues coming as our reserve capacity continues to shrink predominantly due to policy and denial of projects and renewed permits. But all this is being exposed, and more is coming to light.
