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Outdoor Journal: Washington County safari yields a tom
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Last Thursday, I was one of 16 members of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association who visited the Cambridge/Salem area of Washington County for our annual safari.
Outdoor Journal: Striper bite on Hudson starts to warm
Thursday, May 16, 2013
If you happened to be anywhere near the Hudson River in downtown Albany, you probably noticed the fleet of fishing boats and anglers lining the shore. They’ve been fishing all the way up and down the river for several weeks, catching smaller 20- to 30-inch fish at first, but with the water warming, the “striper bite” is nearing its peak, evidenced by some of the bigger catches lately.
Outdoor Journal: Taking a tom in High Peaks
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Three years ago, the New York State Outdoor Writers Association held its annual fall conference in Lake Placid. I limited my outdoor activities that weekend to the various types of lake and stream fishing the area offers.
Outdoor Journal: Season set to open for toothy predators
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Seasons for four species of freshwater gamefish — northern pike, pickerel, walleye and tiger muskellunge — all of which have a mouthful of sharp teeth, will open Saturday.
Youngster gets thrill on first turkey hunt
Thursday, April 25, 2013
“I think you’re more excited than Breck about tomorrow’s turkey hunt,” my wife said to me last Friday night. She was referring to my taking 12-year-old Breck Breen of Wilton out for his first wild turkey hunt.
Harsh weather? Clean up your fishing gear
Thursday, April 18, 2013
If you went fishing for any species last week, you’re one avid and dedicated angler. When I stepped outside, I decided that it would instead be a good day to get my tackle in order for the “warmer” weather fishing. I was not happy about the dusting of white stuff on the ground and the numbers on my outside thermometer.
It's time to scout woods, sight in guns for turkeys
Thursday, April 11, 2013
It’s time to talk turkey! In 20 days, the New York state wild turkey hunting season will begin — will you be ready?
Outdoor Journal: Equipment key to backpacking
Thursday, April 4, 2013
I was recently invited to go on an overnight backpacking and fishing trip to the Siamese Ponds area, one of the largest wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park. I haven’t walked with a pack on my back or spent a night curled up in a sleeping bag in a pup tent and cooked my meals over an open fire in years.
Outdoor Journal: Fishing a cure for cabin fever
Thursday, March 28, 2013
For decades, northeast outdoorsmen and women have been plagued by an seasonal epidemic illness known as “cabin fever.” It usually begins to fester not long after the New York state big-game season ends and continues to rise for several months. Those who walk on water also get it, but less severely. Research has not been able to find a vaccine or medication, but it does have a very strange remedy, especially for anglers.
Friendly fishing rivals both come out winners
Thursday, March 21, 2013
My friend Bert and I fish two one-on-one bass tournaments every year, one in Saratoga Springs, the other on the St. Johns River in Florida. The winner gets to hold the Rebel/Yankee Bass Challenge trophy for the year. Not to brag, but this trophy has been on my mantel for the better part of the dozen or so tournaments we’ve had. But this year, I got a scare.
As ice fishing ends, attention swings to tournament trails
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Friday is an important fishing day. It’s the end of most of our hard water angling and the last day of northern pike, pickerel, tiger muskellunge and walleye fishing until their seasons reopen the first Saturday in May.
Pace weathers conditions, takes Bassmaster Classic
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Last month, a new pro bass angler earned his way into the prestigious B.A.S.S. Professional Millionaire’s Club. Mississippi pro Cliff Pace won $500,000 in the 43rd Bassmaster Classic on the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Tulsa, Okla.
SAFE Act opposition will be voiced at rally
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013
Today at noon, we’ll see the awakening of that “Sleeping Giant” — hunters, shooters and law-abiding, gun-owning citizens from all over the state will gather at Capitol Park in Albany to express the violation of their Second Amendment rights that the passage of the NYSAFE Act has created.
Rabbit, squirrel hunt a snowbird success story
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013
For the past five years, my wife and I have headed for Flagler Beach, Fla., and become short-time snowbirds. The temperatures are a bit more reasonable, and the only white stuff we walk on is sandy beaches. It’s amazing how quickly I got used to having the Intercoastal Waterway exactly 10 steps from the back screened-in deck of our rented condo and the Atlantic Ocean about a half-block out the front door.
Police groups oppose New York gun law
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
Just about every day, I receive at least 25 emails related to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s gun control legislation and what Vice President Joe Biden’s task force on guns is up to. It’s getting to the point where it’s becoming hard to determine what’s true and what’s not.
