With a strong chill in the air the last few weeks, especially the last few days, the whiff of local wood stoves on the slow burn has been sifting across our hilltops. I find that odor quite comforting for more than heartwarming reasons. My dear friends in Gerry, N.Y., in a valley near Chautauqua Lake, reported a minus 18F temperature […]
sport
Column: Rod, Gun and Game: NYSDEC Aiming to Simplify Fishing Rules
With the recent Buffalo Bills football weather and that fluffy snowfall earlier this week, it feels good that winter has finally arrived. The air seems fresher, the family dogs love to run in the white stuff and that extra weekend moment (or two) that you have been waiting to sleep an extra hour is upon us. Smile! The weather and […]
Column: Rod, Gun and Game: Stay Warm, Find Deer during the Late Hunting Season
The super bowl of deer hunting in Western New York known as opening day has now passed. Two weeks later, many hunters decide to hang up their boots and choose to stay in, tossing extra wood into the parlor stove. Why? It’s cold out there and there seem to be no deer! Brrr! If you are one of those guys, […]
Column: Forrest Fisher: Kids and Adults can Learn About Outdoors – FREE this Saturday
It only happens once a year: multiple Erie County outdoor clubs gather to offer valuable and educational free training services to kids and adults. Archery, fishing, lure-making, dog training, wild birds of prey, trapping, safe firearm handling, outdoor photography, wildlife rehabilitation and other well-supervised, hands-on opportunities await visitors. This grand event will take place Saturday, Sep. 25 from 10 a.m. […]
Column: Rod, Gun and Game: Hunt and Fish Trips – Got a Bucket List?
“C’mon, son. It’s time to head back. Let’s go. Mom is in the car.” My dad was hollering to me as I stood waist-deep in thick weeds casting a plastic frog for giant largemouth bass at Alice Lake in Orleans County. “Just one more cast, dad, be right there!” I yelped back. Then about 15 minutes later, I noticed a […]
Column: Rod, Gun and Game: Hunting Traditions: Built – not Bought
In the middle of a hotly contested euchre game at his Belfast hunting camp, the late 75-year-old Don Larkman said, “It’s opening day. It’s 2 p.m. Your guns are leaning in the corner, and you guys call yourselves hunters? My father would be rolling over in his grave and would kick the lot of you ‘outta here, send you home! […]
Column: Pursue and Share the Outdoors – So Many Ways!
The outdoor experience allows us the opportunity for a new adventure story where the wonders of nature can unfold and be shared. Each experience is one more chance to develop a new skill, a new craft or a new or renewed understanding of that incredible world of the outdoors. Our tools can involve a fishing rod, a camera or firearm, […]
Column: Panfish with Kids for Real Spring Fun
The 70s thermometer readings earlier this week were the only invitation to know that the panfish will be spawning close to shore very soon. Ponds and small lakes with bluegill, rock bass, sunfish, yellow perch, and crappie will provide prime-time fishing fun for the whole clan, especially the youngest of our kids. Warming waters beckon to […]
Column: Lake Erie Perch Bite is ON, Inland Trout Season Now Open
Yep, it’s the early fishing season! The exciting inland trout fishing season opens today (April 1). Still, the scorching hot news is that the Lake Erie ice field is gone, and the yellow perch bite is hot.
Taking Stock of NYS Outdoors
What a winter! What a year! Spring is on the way! Deer are shedding their antlers! Fish are preparing to spawn! Sunshine and warm weather are just ahead, but there is more than virtual happiness planning in play right now. There is serious talk of adding new regulations to extend New York State big game hunting […]
