Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Crossbows - Consider the Options

The following is an email chain I was involved in regarding crossbows in New York and my response:

I think its safe to say that most archers shoot with a vertical bow because they enjoy shooting archery equipment and they would never pick up a cross bow. I myself don't have any interest in shooting or hunting with a crossbow. I so think they can be great management tools and should have a place in the NY season. Instead of saying I don't want to see crossbows in NY, I think we should be looking at this situation differently and saying where would crossbows fit in NY. 

Gun hunters would likely be the largest group to switch to crossbows. I also believe crossbows would be a great way for children to get into hunting big game. A 14 year old might enjoy the recoil of a crossbow much more than the recoil of a 20ga slug gun or rifle. 

Imagine hunting with a crossbow. It would be so cumbersome, I wouldn't be able to walk to my stand with one. Once you're up in the tree unless you have a deer on a string and you're positioned in your shooting land, trying to move that thing from one side of the tree to another would create so much movement you'd be spotted in 2 seconds. It's also very thick where I hunt, if it's open enough for me to take a 100 yard shot, I'm not going to be seeing many deer anyway unless I'm hunting farm country. Even then, if you practice you can shoot and kill an animal at 100 yards with a vertical bow, it just takes lots of practice, you have to put the time in. 

I think crossbows are coming to NY regardless of what our State's archers argue. I think the DEC will see us as a tiny special interest group and just see dollar signs when they think of the added revenue a crossbow license would bring them. Not to mention, I'm sure there are plenty of archery shop owners that would enjoy the added revenue stream crossbows and crossbow accessories would provide, not to mention the instant expansion in their customer base if crossbows were legal.

There are advantages and disadvantages of a vertical bow and a crossbow. The main one being you're already at full draw with a crossbow. However, with a vertical bow you have the opportunity for a second shot. A crossbow user wouldn't be able to load the bow and then crank it making all that noise and still be able to take shot number two. Its just like gun hunting, you can use a rifle, shotgun, pistol or muzzleloader, each one has its advantage and disadvantage. 

I think the battle we can win and should fight is the one to help determine where we see crossbows fitting in NY. A gradual process would probably be best so sportsmen could decide which scenarios were working. Do we allow crossbows during muzzleloader season only? In antler restriction areas only? Throughout the state during gun season? In archery season?

There are also other regulations that could be put in place. Do we want to allow crossbows to be legal for handicap people? I have a friend with one hand who the DEC will not let use a crossbow, so what did he do? He stopped buying a NY license and hunts in PA where they allow a person with one hand to use a crossbow during archery season. He won't shoot a deer past 30 yards. I shoot deer out to 45 yards with my vertical bow. 

What about the draw weight of a crossbow - the DEC could regulate that. There could also be regulations in regards to the legality of cranks, maybe you have to cock the crossbow by hand. There are hundreds of options for us here. 

We need to ask ourselves what the real reason is for not wanting crossbows - do we think the introduction of crossbows will truly eradicate the deer herd or are we being selfish and simply don't want anyone else hunting "our" deer in "our" hunting spot during "our" time of the year?

I am a bowhunter, an archer and love to shoot my vertical bow. I don't hunt with a gun anymore because its just not fun for me. I gun hunted one day this year because I took my brother on his first deer hunt. He shot a buck and recently passed his bowhunter ed course so he can become a bowhunter because he is very interested in archery. We use archery equipment because we like the challenge and we enjoy the work it takes to be a successful bowhunter. Just because the crossbow may be "easier" in our eyes doesn't make it an evil weapon. 

So ask yourself, should we really be fighting against the crossbow? or should we work with the DEC and crossbow organizations to give them our valuable insight and input on deer management so that we may work towards our common goal of better deer and better deer hunting.
Posted by Marc Alberto
0 Comments

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Proposed License Fee Increases in NY

Back in January the board of directors of the New York State Conservation Council voted to voice support for an increase in hunting and fishing license fees. The agreement was based on the hikes being modest and the money staying within the Conservation Fund.

There was also support for a $10 trout and salmon stamp as well as a pheasant stamp to save and protect pheasant hunting opportunities in the state. The trout/salmon stamp would only be supported by the council if the funds were dedictated to maintaining and staffing of fish hatcheries and the stocking of fish. The pheasant stamp would be supported as long as the money was dedicated to raising and/or purchasing pheasants and the stocking of pheasants on lands open to hunting by sportsmen. More recently, however, these stamps were to be pulled if the proposed license fee increases could cover the costs of these programs. 

The proposed license fee increases would be by $10 in most cases; some would be more, some less. In all the proposed fees would bring an additional $14.5 million to the Conservation Fund.

The DEC will be issuing an easy to read breakdown of the Conservation Fund on their website shortly. 

Harold Palmer, President of the NYSCC, made the following comments on the issue:
  • The highest-ranking DEC people that are paid from the Conservation Fund are the Department heads, for instance, John Major. No one from the Governor's office is paid from the Conservation Fund.
  • The Conservation Fund went through a Federal Audit in 2006.
  • When figuring increases, only those licenses for legal hunting implements, seasons, etc. could be figured in.
  • I received a lot of comments about stamps. Maybe we should change the laws so that the stamps we already have would be considered licenses or permits. The stamps we already have are bowhunting, muzzleloader, duck, habitat/access.
  • I do have to agree that if they implement a trout stamp, next it would be walleye, then musky, bass, pan fish or anything else to raise money; and there was no guarantee that enough money would have been generated to run the fish hatcheries, or even the pheasant program.
  • The reason the NYSCC took a position in early January to support the stamps was to show the Governor that we were serious about saving the pheasant program, when I had been told by the Governor's staff person that they would not talk about a license fee increase. Later, after the Governor stated that sportsmen would work with DEC to come up with funding to make the Conservation Fund solvent to keep the pheasant program going in the future, I felt that stamps would not bring in the needed money and the only way to assure enough revenue was to work on a license fee increase, which Commissioner Grannis agreed to have his staff work on, with CFAB and the sportsmen.
Posted by Marc Alberto
2 Comments

Monday, February 16, 2009

Success Continues for Shed Hunters

Sheds continue to fall in New York and avid shed hunters have been finding sheds since the middle of January. The shed pictured above was found by Chris from Poughkeepsie, NY. 

As the weather continues to warm and the snow begins to melt finding sheds should become a little easier. I have been out a few times looking for sheds, but have yet to come across one. I'm not giving up yet though! 

Remember to sign up for the 2009 Shed Hunting Contest on the NYbowhunter.com Forum sponsored by Posten Stabilization and Select Archery. There will be great prizes for the shed hunter with the largest shed and the most sheds found. You never know, that person could be you!
Posted by Marc Alberto
1 Comments

Friday, February 13, 2009

New York Bowhunters, Inc. Makes Donation for Archery Gear

The National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) has been sweeping across the country over the past five years. After receiving support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in July 2007, the program has successfully been launched here in New York State. 

Herm Trombley a physical education teacher from Sandy Creek Central School (SCCS), located in DEC region 7, was trained to be a NASP Instructor. Due to budget constraints, Sandy Creek Central School was unable to purchase equipment for the program. New York Bowhunters, Inc. (NYB) along with other concerned sportsmen's groups covered the cost of the NASP equipment. When asked what the donation is being used for, Trombley said "This will help put a bow in the hands of about 800 students this year and into the future at SCCS. In the NASP program all the children shoot the same bow at the same distance and using finger release. This is a great opportunity for our children to learn a life long skill." 

"We're glad it's finally in New York, a state rich in archery tradition."

NYB President Gary Socola stated "We have been extremely excited about the NASP program and what it has done for our youth in other states and in the countries of Canada and Australia. We're glad it's finally in New York, a state rich in archery tradition". For the past three years Socola attended summits held by the North American Bowhunting Coalition and at each summit, Roy Grimes President of NASP gave an update on where the program stood in North America. Grimes stated "NASP received more requests for the program from schools in New York State than any other state in the country. I'm glad that the DEC is now working with NASP and private organizations such as NYB to bring the NASP program to New York." 

The SCCS program will be offered in grades 4th thru 12th. The NASP program cost about $2800.00 for all the equipment with the largest donation of $1400.00 coming from New York Bowhunters. The Oswego County Federation of Sportsman and National Wild Turkey Federation also made donations. 

New York Bowhunters, Inc. was formed in 1991 to promote bowhunting, educate hunters and non-hunters, and to fight anti-hunting legislation. NYB is currently working with the DEC to establish a southern zone early archery season which will start annually on October 1st. 

NYB can be contacted at P.O. Box 619, LaFayette, NY 13084 or by phone at 315-696-6365. To learn more about NYB and the NASP program, or to become a member, please go to our website at http://www.newyorkbowhunters.com.

Media Contact: Gary Socola, New York Bowhunters, Inc. (585) 359-0130 or gsocola@spsmedical.com.
Posted by Marc Alberto
1 Comments

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Missing Shed: A Year in the Making

Jerry is an avid shed hunter who has been shed hunting in upstate New York for several years. Along the way he has picked up between 130-140 sheds. A fair number of those sheds have scored 60" or better and a few even reached the 70" mark!

Last February Jerry was out shed hunting when he came across two sheds over 60" and a right side scoring 73". By the end of his shed hunting excursions last season Jerry had found 17 sheds with six scoring between 60" and 74", it was a good year to say the least. Well this season Jerry made sure to get out a little early and here is what happened:

I made my first tramp very early this year. It was more of a scouting session than it was searching for sheds. I was looking very hard but only around the fringes as it's a bit early for the drop in my best spot. I eventually worked my way over to the vicinity of where I found my 73-74" best ever shed last February, also on my first outing. I was encouraged by the obvious signs of use by one or more large bucks - huge tracks, rubs and big beds in the snow. This is where these bucks come out of a very wet swamp and stage before entering the fields for feeding. 

I carefully walked the area out thoroughly but was discouraged because there was enough fresh snow just fallen to cover just about anything that might have dropped recently - not ideal conditions. I was about to give up and move to the next spot of interest when I noticed 2 tines protruding from the snow about 15 feet away. One was about 1" and the other was less than that. Experienced shed hunters will understand that sometimes this is all there is to see and if you see it you may grab the brass ring but if your eye is not trained by hours and years of shedding, you probably wouldn't notice it. 

I grabbed the end of the antler and tugged - heavy. Tugged harder and finally out popped a heavy antler carrying 7 points. I have pretty much determined it's been on the ground since last winter and is the match to the jumbo shed I found about 60-70 yards away last February.

The frustrating and ironic thing is that I tramped that area very thoroughly last spring after the snow was off and did not find that antler. Yet I come back a year later and notice a 1" tine tip sticking out of the snow. That's shed hunting. I guess I have to be happy I finally did get it to complete what is a very impressive set. The one I found this season is the stronger side and rough scores at 88" gross.

The missing antler I just found is in my left hand (deer's left antler). It has a 27" main beam, G-2 at just under 12", circumferences from 4 7/8" to a bit over 5" and a nice double brow. The original side found last year has only 3 points on the beam but both the G-2 & G-3 are right at 12".
Posted by Marc Alberto
3 Comments

Monday, February 9, 2009

A banner year for N.Y. bear hunters

With the NYS DEC's decision to open additional 13 WMUs for bear hunting it should come as no surprise that bear hunters had a banner year. In fact, preliminary numbers indicate that 2008 may have set a new record for black bear harvests. 

The Catskill region is expected to come in around 2005's record breaking numbers - nearing the 500 mark. In the Allegany region where 13 additional WMUs were opened to bear hunting this season there were 200 bears taken in the compared to 120 in 2007 - a 67% increase. Preliminary numbers in the Adirondacks suggest that 455 bears have been reported so far, but that number could reach the 600 mark as the Adirondack region typically doesn't have as high of a reporting rate as other areas according to DEC officials.

"Preliminary numbers indicate that 2008 may have set a new record for black bear harvests."

Although this seasons mast crop that was spotty at best, an early snow gave hunters the opportunity to track bears.

Bowhunters fared well in 2008. Reported bow kills totalled 129 in the Catskills, 88 in the Allegany region and 10 in the Adirondacks.

This season Ulster County stood out with 139 reported kills. That put Ulster ahead of Sullivan, which is traditionally the top bear-hunting area in the Catskills. This season Sullivan County reported 93 bear kills.

For the full article please visit NY Outdoor News.
Posted by Marc Alberto
0 Comments

Friday, February 6, 2009

Venison Donation Coalition Recognized in New York

On January 5, 2009 the Venison Donation Coalition (VDC), Inc. was notified by the office of Secretary of Agriculture Edward Schafer that the VDC was one of four community based organizations from across the United States being recognized for its achievements under the Secretary’s Fight Hunger Initiative. The VDC’s central office is located in Bath, NY with satellite offices across the state. 

In letters of recognition, Secretary Schafer specifically highlighted contributions by community volunteers in Montana and New York as well as 4-H Clubs in Maine and Kentucky. "The biggest barrier keeping Americans from helping their neighbors in need isn’t a lack of desire, but a lack of knowing just how to help. Our Fight Hunger Initiative encourages specific ways to match the great need for support with really great people who want to help" said Schafer. "Noble efforts by these community groups are an inspiration to all of us to lend a helping hand of kindness to a neighbor."

Since its inception in the year 2000, the Venison Donation Coalition has received, processed and distributed more than 600,000 pounds of nutritious, high protein venison with more than 2.4 million meals being served to individuals in need. 

Since its inception in the year 2000, the Venison Donation Coalition has received, processed and distributed more than 600,000 pounds of nutritious, high protein venison with more than 2.4 million meals being served to individuals in need. Working in cooperation with New York’s eight Regional Food Banks, New York’s eight Resource Conservation & Development Councils, the New York Farm Bureau and Sportsmen Organizations, the Coalition follows guidelines established under New York’s Environmental Conservation Law that allow hunters who legally harvest deer to donate venison to the VDC via the more than 120 participating meat processors throughout New York State.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provide technical support to the VDC. Financial support which pays for the processing of the venison comes from sportsmen groups, individuals, civic organizations, churches as well as private and state grants. The venison is packaged in 1 to 2 pound packages and then distributed through member organizations of the eight Regional Food Banks.
Posted by Marc Alberto
0 Comments

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

2009 QDMA Whitetail Report

If you haven't already done so go to the QDMA website and download the 2009 Whitetail Report. The 68-page report gives an in depth look at the current state of the whitetail across North America. The report goes into detail on emerging issues and current challenges facing whitetail deer. 

Inside the report you will find: 
• Trends in yearling-buck harvest rates and antlerless harvest, including state-by-state statistics. 
• A look at the top states in harvest of mature bucks (3 1/2 years old or older). 
• Trends in youth hunter recruitment and other deer-hunter demographics. 
• The economic impact of deer hunting compared to other forms of hunting. 
• The latest on the impacts of hemorrhagic disease (HD) and chronic wasting disease (CWD). 
• Deer-vehicle collision data, and other suburban deer management issues. 

To download the Whitetail Report, visit http://www.qdma.com/media.

Just how important is the whitetail deer? In a survey conducted by Responsive Management and the NSSF during 2008 it was concluded that the white-tailed deer is the most actively hunted game animal in North America - 78% of all hunters pursue whitetails. That's more than the combined percentages for wild turkey, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, grouse, elk, mule deer and coyotes.
Posted by Marc Alberto
0 Comments

Monday, February 2, 2009

Orange County Black Bear

Here is a 200lb black bear that was taken on October 19th in Orange County. The hunter had to use his old bow as his bowstring broke on his primary bow. As he was scouting a swamp he saw the bear and took a 20 yards shot. It was during the evening so he did the smart thing and backed out.

The next day he returned and got on the trail to find the bear not more than 50 yards away. What an awesome story and a great bear!

How many of you have had success hunting black bear in NY with archery equipment? It's not an easy task, that's for sure.
Posted by Marc Alberto
2 Comments

Sunday, February 1, 2009

2009 Shed Hunting Contest

In many parts of New York the bucks have already shed their antlers due to a poor acorn crop and lack of food this season. With fresh antlers on the ground I figured there's no better time to start the 1st annual Shed Hunting Contest than now! 

With that, I announce the rules of the 2009 Shed Hunting Contest sponsored by Posten Stabilization and Select Archery. The contest will be held in the Scouting & Shed Hunting section of the NYbowhunter.com Forum.

1. You must be a registered member of the NYbowhunter.com Forum and reply to the SIGN UP THREAD to be officially enterd into the contest. 
2. Sheds must be from 2009. Please no sheds from previous seasons. 
3. You must be in a photograph with your shed and post it to the PHOTO SUBMISSION THREAD along with the date the shed was found. 
4. The contest will begin February 1, 2009 and run through April 1, 2009. The winners will be announced in April after the Shed Hunting Contest has closed. 
5. There will be two winners: one for the largest shed and one for person who finds the most sheds. If the largest shed is too close to call, the shed will have to be measured by an official scorer and the shed with the highest gross score will be determined the winner. If there is a tie for the most number of sheds found, the set of sheds with the highest number of points over 1" in length will be determined the winner.
As soon as the snow melts, get out there and start looking for sheds! In the meantime, here are 10 Tips for Shed Hunting.
Posted by Marc Alberto
2 Comments
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