By Leo Maloney
Outdoors Columnist
This week was the opening of trout season but few, if any, fishermen were out enjoying trout fishing on Tuesday. The streams were at flood stage so safety and common sense dictated that anglers bide their time for better conditions.
A couple friends asked me about fishing and wondering if the state had stocked any streams. Even before the flood stage levels of last weekend, the streams were cold and experiencing high water levels. Fishing in those conditions would be an exercise in futility.
Although some people saw on TV that Onondaga County was stocking fish last week, none of the local streams were scheduled for stocking. Onondaga County has its own hatchery and stocks the streams in Onondaga County with trout. Oneida, Madison, and other counties are stocked by the NYS DEC from the state hatcheries.
It is the DEC policy not to stock streams when the water is too cold or high. In those conditions the metabolism of the fish is slow and they are vulnerable to the flooding and high water conditions. Survival of the trout would be low so the state waits until more favorable conditions.
Usually the DEC stocks most of the local streams in early to mid April. Many area streams also receive a second stocking in May. You can see the list of stream stockings with month, number and species of trout stocked on the website at www.dec.nyh.gov/outdoor/30465.html.
Meanwhile Governor Cuomo took the occasion of the opening of trout season and the passage of the NYS Budget the previous to announce the details of the budget and how it affects sportsmen. The budget was passed and included new funding for fishing and other projects in 2014-2015. It also included a compromise crossbow provision that will make the crossbow a legal hunting instrument in New York.
The governor stated that the fishing industry supports an estimated 17,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of tourism dollars. The new funding is designed to expand fishing opportunities by improving public access to fishing sites and investing in critical infrastructure at state hatcheries. The state operates 12 hatcheries and stocks over 2.3 million trout in 309 lakes and 2,900 miles of streams. In addition to this it operates hatcheries for walleye and muskies as well as rearing facilities for them.
Included in the budget was money for boiler replacement at the Chautuaqua and Oneida County hatcheries, rearing pond improvements at several hatcheries and building repairs and expansion at the Caledonia hatchery. It provides for the purchase of 16 new stocking trucks and their life support systems.
Fishing licenses may now be purchased and printed from your home computer at http://licensecente.ny.gov. Licenses are now good for one year from the time of purchase. There is a slight reduction in short term license fees for both resident and non-residents.
Six million dollars has been approved for 50 new access projects for fishing, hunting, hiking and canoeing. The improvements include improved parking, new trails, repair of launch sites, etc. There will also be construction of a few new boat launches around the state although none in this area.
The other big news was the approval of a crossbow season that was included in the Governor’s budget proposal. After the wishes of sportsmen were thwarted by Assemblyman Sweeney of the Conservation Committee last year, Cuomo decided to bypass the normal legislative process and push for it in the budget bills.
It was almost killed again by Sweeney and a few other Assemblymen who were strongly influenced by the NY bowhunters, Inc. and some animal rights fanatics. A week ago it was not included in the budget bill version approved by the Assembly. Sportsmen who were upset by this disregard of the majority wrote and called their representatives and influential legislators.
The final version that appeared a week ago and was finally approved was a compromise. It was not what crossbow proponents or most sportsmen had hoped for, but it was acceptable and gives the sportsmen the chance they have hoped for.
The bill that was approved makes the crossbow legal for use during small game and any firearms season for deer. Obviously this is no big deal and it is unlikely that many will use it during this time. It does allow for crossbows to be used during the last two weeks of the southern zone archery season and the last 10 days of the northern archery season.
So in essence crossbow users will have a two week season to enjoy their sport while regular archery hunters will have about seven weeks. But considering the disproportionate influence of NY Bow, Inc. and the flaws of the NYS legislative system, it is still a victory for those who wanted a chance to enjoy the sport and cannot otherwise partake in normal archery.
The DEC has the authority to make the final regulations and will begin by holding a series of public hearings. Watch for announcements on the hearings and regulations once they are formulated.
SHORT CASTS
CNY Gunworks: Turkey season is less than a month away. Most people are checking out their camouflage and practicing their calls but they should also be checking their guns and practicing and patterning their shooting. The Gun Works of Central New York now sells licenses and has ammunition. And of course if your gun needs any work or care, now is the time to get it taken care of. They are located on Route 31 in Verona. Call Gary Donovan or his skilled staff at 363-7041 for information.
VNSP Opens: Vernon National Shooting Preserve announces that it will be open to the public and its members on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Sunday, April 6 will be the Flurry of the Mountain which is open to all.
Save the date of May 25, 2014 for the annual Wounded Warrior Event. Details and registration will be available online next week. For information on VNSP call 982-7045 or e-mail ronacee@aol.com.
Brown Trout TV: Outdoor Passion TV will broadcast its show filmed last year on Lake Ontario near Oswego. “Brown Trout Rising – Oswego County” will feature early season brown trout fishing with Capt. Kevin Keller of Fishchopper Charters. It will be shown on the World TV Network on Saturday, Apr. 5 and 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Apr. 10 at noon and 9 p.m, and Friday, Apr. 11 at 2 p.m.
Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Banquet: The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame (NYSOHOF) will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, April 26 at the Rusty Rail in Canastota. Registration and social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. This year there will be nine new inductees including well known local sportsmen including Paul Miller of the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club and award winning artist Tom Lenweaver.
George Franke who is active in many sportsmen’s organizations, Rick McDermott the founder of the Crossbow Coalition, and Fran Verdoliva the head of the DEC hatchery at Altmar who has been responsible for much of the success of the salmon fishery will also be inducted. Nina Schoch who founded the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Society will also be honored.
In addition to the inductees, the NYSOHOF will honor ECO Ric Grisolini for his outstanding work with the youth mentor program for turkey and goose hunting in Oneida County. Most of the major sporting organizations from around the state will be in attendance that evening.
The public is invited to attend and help honor these sportsmen and women who have done much to preserve our outdoor heritage. Enjoy an evening of fine food and meeting with fellow sportsmen from around the state. Call 363-3896 for reservations by April 19.