The Adirondacks are the paradise of the stagecoach driver. A peculiar genius is this Adirondack driver, as a rule. He does not at all suggest the immortal older Weller. If ever there was a distinctly American type, it is he ; but he belongs to his coach as much as Sandy in the old song belonged to his mill. He is essentially a product of the region. There is nothing conventional either in his speech or his appearance. The only concession he is known to make to the generally accepted social decalogue is in the matter of smoking. An Adirondack stage-driver smokes continually, but he never appears on the roof of his coach with a pipe in his mouth ; that would be beneath his dignity. He smokes cigars, and he smokes them from the time he gets up in the morning until he goes to bed at night. In all other respects he has contempt for the dictates of fashion. His topboots and big straw hat are picturesque, but they do not convey any impression that their owner is oppressed with ideas of order ; in fact, they look hot and uncomfortable. Moreover, he drives in his shirt-sleeves, — a proceeding which would have horrified the older generation of English mail-coachmen… (Link)
I heard a news piece this morning about “Operation Jackhammer”. Interesting which “harvesting” techniques are legal vs. illegal. What’s fair or unfair in the practice of hunting? In this case it is night-hunting with lights.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Jackhammer,” focused on the illegal taking of deer by use of artificial light – a practice commonly known as “deer jacking.” This involves night hunting where poachers shine a spotlight on a deer feeding in fields to “freeze” the animal long enough to shoot it — killing deer when they are most vulnerable. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas, late at night. Due to these late hours and secluded areas, there are few, if any, witnesses to this crime.
It seems “102 misdemeanors and 37 violations were filed in the Adirondack Park and surrounding North Country.” While the notion of what is “fair” for the deer is debatable, I totally agree with the safety issue.
“DEC takes seriously the crime of nighttime deer poaching for many reasons – safety, foremost,” said Henry Hamilton, DEC Assistant Commissioner for Public Protection. “Deer jacking involves someone firing off a high-powered rifle in the dark, not knowing what or who is behind their target. Sometimes, it involves shooting across roads. But also, poachers typically trespass across private lands, violate hunting ethics and rob legitimate hunters of opportunities.”
I wonder what the motive is behind these illegal hunts? Is it for fun? Are they putting food on their tables?
This really chaps my hide. Details of the criminals after the jump.
DEC POLICE ARREST BEAR POACHERS
The Adirondack early bear season has been open for less than two weeks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5 Environmental Conservation Police are busy seeking out and catching poachers.
DEC Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) are out patrolling, staking out, and observing the lands on which people hunt. They are in uniform and undercover; they are in vehicles and on foot; they are checking licenses and watching over decoys. ECOs have already handled a number of reports of poaching.
“Most hunters pursue and take game in a legal manner,” said DEC Region 5 Law Enforcement Captain Lawrence DiDonato. “However, we will continue to make every effort to stop poachers from illegally and unfairly killing game at the expense of legitimate sportsman and game populations. DEC has great respect for the legitimate sporting public, and invites them, and others, to join our efforts to combat poaching.”
The early bear season opened on Saturday, September 19. Routine patrol and investigations have led to a number of arrests for illegally taking bear, mainly by baiting, prior to and shortly after opening day.
ECOs pose with Net and Spear used to poach Walleye
14 Poached Walleye including visibly egg-laden female.
DEC ARRESTS TWO CLINTON COUNTY MEN FOR POACHING WALLEYE
Two Clinton County men have been arrested by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) for poaching walleye from the Saranac River in the Town of Franklin, Franklin County, Regional Director Betsy Lowe announced today.
“This type of illegal activity can have significant impacts on the walleye fishery and reduce fishing opportunities for lawful anglers,” Regional Director Lowe said. “Our officers will continue their efforts to seek out and arrest poachers to put an end to these illegal practices. Protection of New York State’s fish and wildlife resources is an important mission of this Department.”
“We were forced to introduce the legislation against this indecent practice before the warm weather starts”
In contrast to the “barefoot hikers”, these folks wear the boots, but(t) nothing else. I’m kind of a gear-fiend. You know, electronics, fancy stoves, special-blend socks, and hi-tech clothing. Yup, I consider clothing an essential piece of gear. But I also like to travel light. Naked Hiking. As you can imagine, there are a number of pros and cons to this activity.
There really is nothing new about this. Just some reactionary stiffs (ha ha) worried about grabbing enough Euros from people without pockets.
I occasionally bumped into groups or individuals hiking in the altogether in the Alps during my first trips to the region back in the 1970’s. Thought it made enough sense so that friends and I often adopted the same style in the Catskills and Adirondacks. No one ever had trouble with anything more than flies and other stinging critters.
I’d like to hear from anyone who has run across anyone doing this around here. A Winter 46? How about the 90-miler? Nude!
"On Dec. 31, the prison population at Ogdensburg Correctional Facility stood at 474. As of Aug. 30, that number had dropped to 313, a decline of 34 percent."
"ACR developers plan to rebuild the Big Tupper Ski Area and develop the land around it with 651 luxury housing units plus amenities like an inn, a marina and an equestrian center."
I thought she was a US Citizen? "Nelson crosses the border several times a month to visit relatives, friends and her family's second home, using her Canadian passport to leave the country and her U.S. passport to get back in."
"The increase in occupancy tax is a windfall for the county marketing agency ROOST, as 95 percent of the tax on hotel rooms goes directly to the organization for operational costs."
"Each of those Essex County communities has its own unique set of community goals, needs, concerns and tourism opportunities." - Marketing by Committee....wheeeee!
"We provide our Twitter followers with trendy and appealing topics to engage their interest in New York and excite them to travel throughout our 11 vacation regions."
An Adirondack stage-driver smokes continually, but he never appears on the roof of his coach with a pipe in his mouth ; that would be beneath his dignity. He smokes cigars, and he smokes them from the time he gets up in the morning until he goes to bed at night. In all other respects he has contempt for the dictates of fashion. His topboots and big straw hat are picturesque, but they do not convey any impression that their owner is oppressed with ideas of order ; in fact, they look hot and uncomfortable. Moreover, he drives in his shirt-sleeves, — a proceeding which would have horrified the older generation of English mail-coachmen… (Link)
I heard a news piece this morning about “Operation Jackhammer”. Interesting which “harvesting” techniques are legal vs. illegal. What’s fair or unfair in the practice of hunting? In this case it is night-hunting with lights.
