In this week's episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport, you humble host offers a review of the new Antlerless only deer season, which saw its final day of the inaugural season on Sunday, September 19. Although some held reservations, including fears of harming the early archery season, and temperatures being too warm, another side of the hunt offering fair weather opportunity to older hunters and handicapped hunters that may not tolerate the cold well, proved a big benefit. Harvest results will be monitored closely to see if supplemental DMP issuance in these WMUs require curtailment, but this year everything is expected to remain the same, including Bonus DMP in the archery units affected by this early season. Resident Goose season runs through September 25, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day, while October 1 marks not only the opener of southern zone's early archery season, but the final day for DMP lottery in NY. Sept. 27 marks the opener for northern zone early archery, and this all means the Columbus Day Youth Hunt is only a few weeks away.
The public hearing for Erie County's local law to lower the hunting age is slated for Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 11:30 AM, 14th Floor Conference Room, Rath Building. Once the law is signed and submitted to the NY Secretary of State, the law then immediately takes effect. Let's make sure the law is signed by showing strong support in attending the hearing. Your humble host also offers some advice concerning the new shooting hours, something that is hoped all will heed, as it really is just offering up some common sense.
The EHD outbreak continues, and more areas of NY are showing EHD, infected deer, with a total of 700 dead deer reported. Regions 1, 3, 4 and 7 are now confirmed with some EHD positive cases. DEC urges bowhunters to report any observances to the appropriate regional wildlife office for investigation.
A regulatory cock-up is going on now with a new DEC proposal to allow counties to opt out of the recently established holiday hunt. This appears to be an unlawful proposal, as DEC cannot regulate away their authority. Comment period ends November 14. What precedent could this set? That is spelled out, and all outdoors enthusiasts should be concerned about this proposal. Does it mean counties can opt out of the Saturday Regular Season Opener? It could!
Fishing is hitting its peak as the need to feed in advance of winter starts heating up, and the fall spawning runs of salmon on Lake Ontario gets a boost with Town of Burt agreeing to frequent water releases from the dam to create fish drawing currents, which started September 15. Be aware this will continue on through December, and sirens will sound marking the impending start of the discharges, which will increase flow and water level. Perch and walleye are showing good activity on Lake Erie, steelhead are gathering to stage in advance of their runs, and salmon are on the move!
Finally, word is getting out concerning the folly of wind energy and defense of the Great Lakes is mounting, as Dunkirk Observer and Hamburg Sun both report the NYSCC has chimed in and is seeking a permanent moratorium on this folly. A judge in Minnesota has correctly found no public benefit to wind and solar projects, as capacity and output are unrelated, as the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine! No kidding! Meanwhile, the elitists pushing this nonsense continue their campaign of deception, but it is starting to unravel. NYSERDA has released their latest feasibility study, sure to omit the costs, as that is a killer. However, the 30 mile setback for view shed concerns is a killer out the gate. A review of both documents (2010 and 2021 studies) will be offered in the coming episodes of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport.
