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Entries Tagged as 'wildlife'

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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2010 Deer Take and Bear Harvest

March 28th, 2011 · No Comments · News

I’m always interested in the hunting stats when they come out.
Things I noted in the data:

  • 521 Black Bears were harvested in the Adirondacks in 2010.
  • 2010 Calculated NYS Legal Deer Take is 230,100 (a lot of venison)
  • City of Plattsburgh had 8 Bucks Harvested?
  • Big spike in 2003 for a record of 1,370 Adirondack Bears harvested
  • Deer take also peaked around 2003 (what happened in 2003?)
  • St Lawrence is the top county with 97 Bears taken

2010 Adirondack Bear Harvest

“Deer hunters play a crucial role, benefiting all New Yorkers, by helping to maintain deer numbers at levels that are ecologically and socially appropriate, and we appreciate their participation,” Commissioner Martens said.

I guess socially appropriate means those deer are in the wrong place.

Sucks for them

I’m loaded for Beer.

Here are links to the fastest publishers of the two press releases:
Deer season stats released
DEC announces 2010 bear hunting results

Bear - ready to harvest

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Night Vision – Wildlife Photography of Hobart V. Roberts

March 2nd, 2011 · 5 Comments · Adirondack News

Old Forge, N.Y. – Before motion-sensors, in-fared, and mega pixels, before digital trail cameras there was Hobart Roberts.

Adirondack MuseumThe Adirondack Museum’s Cabin Fever Sunday series will travel to Old Forge, New York on March 13, 2011. “Night Vision: The Wildlife Photography of Hobart V. Roberts” with museum Curator Laura Rice will be held at the Old Forge Arts Center. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.

The presentation will offered at no charge to museum members and children of elementary school age or younger. The fee for non-members is $5.00. For additional information, please call the Education Department at (518) 352-7311, ext. 128 or visit the museum’s web site at www.adirondackmuseum.org.

Hobart Vosburgh Roberts (1874-1959) was one of the nation’s most recognized amateur wildlife photographers in the first decades of the 20th century. Roberts developed ingenious techniques for capturing birds and animals on film in their natural habitats. Most notably, the Utica, N.Y. native was one of a small group of amateur photographers who pioneered photographing animals at night.

Great Blue HeronThe Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y. will introduce a new exhibit, “Night Vision: Wildlife Photography of Hobart V. Roberts,” on May 27, 2011. Laura Rice’s illustrated presentation will preview the approximately 35 original large-format photographs of Adirondack wildlife, cameras, equipment, colored lithographic prints, hand-colored transparencies, published works, as well as the photographer’s many awards that will be included in the exhibit.

Robert’s work was published in Audubon Magazine, Country Life, Modern Photography, and The National Geographic Magazine. Famed photographer Edward Steichen selected Roberts’ photos for inclusion in U.S. Camera 1940, along with images by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, and Eliot Porter.

Laura Rice joined the staff of the Adirondack Museum in 2003. She had previously served as a Curator, Museum Educator, and Consultant at a number of other museums. Ms. Rice holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in American Civilization with an emphasis on Museum Studies. She is the author of the award-winning book Maryland History in Prints: 1752 – 1900, a history of the state of Maryland based on selected images in the Maryland Historical Society Print Collection.

Cabin Fever Sunday programs are sponsored by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park: www.pearsallfoundation.org

The Adirondack Museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums, tells stories of the people – past and present — who have lived, worked, and played in the unique place that is the Adirondack Park. History is in our nature. The museum is supported in part by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency. For information about all that the museum has to offer, please call (518) 352-7311, or visit www.adirondackmuseum.org.

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