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Entries from May 26th, 2011

DEC ECO Arrests Bass Poacher with Help from Concerned Sportsman

May 26th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoOn May 24, 2011, a DEC Environmental Conservation Officer CO was dispatched to a complaint from a concerned sportsman regarding a man fishing for black bass out of season.

The unnamed sportsman reported that he had observed a man fishing in Harris Bay of Lake George in the Town of Lake George and keeping the bass he caught. He confronted the man explaining that it was illegal to keep bass caught at this time of year and suggesting that he release the fish. The sportsman further stated that the man dumped the fish back into the lake and hurriedly left the area leaving his fishing rod and tackle box, 

After viewing the photographs and taking the fishing gear, the ECO patrolled the area streets anticipating the fisherman would return for his gear. The ECO spotted the vehicle a short time later on Main Street in the Village of Lake George and stopped it.  

When confronted with the evidence including the photographs, the fisherman, David Chan, 68, from Whitestone, NY, admitted to the violations. He was charged with fishing without a license and taking black bass out of season. Chan was immediately arraigned before the Town of Lake George Court where he pled guilty to both charges and paid a fine of $225. 

Black Bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) are exceptionally vulnerable this time of the year. The fish are guarding their spawning beds and are very protective, striking at almost anything. Black Bass may only be taken from the third Saturday in June and to November 30. The rest of the year they can be caught but must be immediately released back into the water, except in waters in Franklin and Hamilton County where it is illegal to fish for black bass from December 1 to the Friday before the third Saturday in June. 

The sportsman who observed the illegal activity did an excellent job of documenting and reporting the violations. He not only prevented more fish from being taken and he also prevented the violator from getting away. DEC does not encourage the public to confront people breaking the law. DEC does encourage people to report violations of environmental conservation laws and regulations to 24-hour TIPP (Turn In Polluters and Poachers) Hotline at 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332) or by e-mail to R5dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us  

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Chicks Rock! Coming to Keene Valley

May 24th, 2011 · 1 Comment · News

Chicks ClimbingRidgway, COChicks Climbing is excited to announce a partnership with Sterling Rope to bring a short format Chicks Rock! weekend course to the Keene Valley Aug. 19-21.

“The Adirondacks are far from the Chicks Climbing home base in Ridgway, Colo., but since we have had hundreds of East Coast gals fly west to participate in Chicks Climbing events for many years, we thought it was only fair to bring our weekend Sterling Rope ‘Girly Gatherings’ out east,” said Head Chick, Kim Reynolds. “Here, in the beautiful Keene Valley our participants will get the same high-level Chicks instruction we are known for in a short-format course that is close to home.”

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DEC Summer Environmental Education Camps – Great Experiences, Great Value

May 24th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

What Are Your Kids Doing this Summer?
A Week at Camp, A Lifetime of Memories

NYSDEC LogoIt’s only a few weeks before school ends for the summer and you haven’t planned any way to occupy your child/children for the summer? No problem. Look no further than the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) summer environmental education camps! At $350 a week these camps are a terrific bargain, half the price of camps run by other non-profits, and they offer amazing opportunities for your child to learn and interact with the natural environment. If exploring a forest, swamp, lake and a field or fishing, hiking, canoeing, swimming, star gazing and meeting professionals in environmental fields sounds like a great way to spend a week of the summer, then we have a camp for you!

DEC’s unique residential camp program still has openings for youth ages 12 to 14. Each of the camps focuses on conservation education by immersing campers in outdoor activities and hands-on learning that teach the wise use of natural resources. Highly qualified staff ensure that campers enjoy their week-long outdoor adventure and help them develop outdoor skills such as hiking, fishing and canoeing that can last a lifetime. For those who are interested, hunter safety training is available from certified Sportsman Education instructors, with prior permission from parents/guardians.

Camp Colby DEC  Environmental Education Camp fire sing-a-long

All four camps—Colby and Pack Forest in the Adirondacks, DeBruce in the Catskills and Rushford in Western New York—still have openings for some weeks during the seven weeks of camp, which run from July 3 through August 20. Campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and are picked up Saturday morning. The $350 cost is all inclusive including food, lodging and activities. Local organizations such as civic groups, garden and sportsmen clubs can also sponsor a camper. Applications are still being accepted and registration will continue until all spaces are filled.

Full information, including registration forms, available weeks and detailed program descriptions is available at Environmental Education Summer Camps or by writing to NYSDEC Camps, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4500. You may also e-mail the camps at edcamps@gw.dec.state.ny.us, sign up for DEC’s camps listserve or call 518-402-8014.

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