DEC Rights of Navigation

DEC Rights of Navigation

DEC Proposes Update to Public Fishing and Access Rights

Please read the proposed draft in the link below.  You have an opportunity to voice your opinion.

This draft update to the program policy is intended to address the need for additional guidance regarding the public rights of navigation and fishing on navigable waters of the United States. As such, this document will serve as General Counsel Policy with respect to the public right of navigation and fishing on navigable waters within the State for use by NYS DEC staff and the general public, but will no longer be considered enforcement guidance for NYS DEC staff. The draft Program Policy has been published and is available for public review and comment. The full text and a pdf printable version can be found at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/Draft_OGC-9.pdf

Written comments will be accepted by mail or email until 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2024. Please include “Comment on draft OGC-9: Public Rights of Navigation and Fishing” in the subject line.

Camp Colby Open This Summer

Camp Colby Open This Summer

DEC Opens Camp Colby Summer Camp

Colby great for campers that missed out on other DEC camps like Rushford.

Registration for Camp Colby will open Wednesday, May 22nd at 10:00 AM. Camp weeks and availability are located here:https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/summer-camps/weeks-and-availabilityPlease keep in mind that sessions may fill quickly and are first come, first served.  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DEC WEBSITE

DEC Announces Archery Winners Schools Program

DEC Announces Archery Winners Schools Program

698 Students from 36 Schools across New York State Competed in the National Archery in the Schools Program

Students from different schools competed in a National Tournament hosted at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse NY in 3 divisions: elementary (grades 4-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12).  Competitors are required to participate in the NASP program (National Archery in the Schools Program) to be eligble for competition. 

Click HERE for more information on the DEC website.

DEC Special License Exams

DEC Special License Exams

Registration Deadline April 10

Examinations for individuals seeking a license to practice the sport of falconry, become a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or injured big game animals are scheduled for April 12. DEC is offering the examinations online and at no cost to participants to increase access to the examinations.

LINKS:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Special License Exams Registration April 2024 (alchemer.com) 

Be sure to register BY April 10th to be eligible by the exam date.

Print your own hunting license?

Print your own hunting license?

BIG changes for sporting licenses

Beginning on August 1st 2024 NYS will issue licenses electronically and will not provide a printed tag.  This is largely due to the decreased availability and increased cost of Valeron (tear proof) stock.  License purchasers can either print their license on PLAIN PAPER at the issuer or print the license at home.

 

There are a few advantages to the licensee:
1.  All of your license tags will fit on a standard size 8.5×11 paper (or 2 max).
2. No waiting for tags to arrive in the mail.
3.  Eliminates the $15 lost license reissue fee.

There are also disadvantages:
1.  Black on white is not easy to see.
2.  Plain paper tears easily – especially when wet.

Check out the links on the DEC website:
DEC Announces Changes to Sporting License Fulfillment Beginning Aug. 1 – NYSDEC

plainpaperconversion.pdf (ny.gov)

Jeff Jondle – ECFSC President

 

Float Suit Saves Ice Fishing Fatality 

Float Suit Saves Ice Fishing Fatality 

by Forrest Fisher

Ardent musky angler Carl Schenk was fishing on his birthday Wednesday with his buddy Tom Reinhardt at the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor. When Schenk arrived at the harbor, he noted there was no one out there, but there was ice, and it looked solid enough for two hard-water fishermen not afraid of a little chill in the air. Testing the ice with a spud bar, the duo accessed the water at the old boat ramp near the restaurant. Not too far out, they auger-tested the white ice to find 4 inches of seemingly solid, safe ice. Then the air warmed up, and it had rained shortly before. It was Carl’s birthday, and Tom tagged along for the safety of the celebration moment when Carl would catch his first fish and call the day a success. It was Carl’s annual birthday custom, and he turned 69 years young this year.

It didn’t take long. Using a 3-pound test and a lightweight fishing stick, Schenk counted the first fish. As he sat there, he noticed the ice began to sink in a large, wide circle around him. He hollered over to Tom that he thought they should head back. “It might be getting mushy,” Carl hollered. Tom said he was fine. “I’m heading in,” Carl said.

“I broke through the ice in 9-feet of water. I was wearing my Frabill float suit and spudding my way along the route we came in on. The spud bar went through, and I was going in before I could back up. Luckily, I threw my body forward, rolled a couple of feet, got onto my hands and knees, and scampered to better ice. I was soaked to the waist with my boots full of water, but it sure could have been worse. I was damned happy to reach the shore.” Tom came in, avoiding my body hole in the ice, and was OK.

Schenk added, “I went home to dry out and sat on the couch with a cup of coffee, waiting for the adrenaline rush to leave. It was a memorable experience that, hopefully, I will not ever repeat. That water was cold!”

For complete safety, float suits are essential gear when it comes to all-season ice fishing. Schenk explained, “The Frabill Float Suit is the only one rated as a Type 3 USCG Approved personal flotation device (PFD). Yes, it’s pricey at about $500, but on that day, it was worth every penny. In addition, it’s so warm and comfortable – and now I can attest to its buoyancy rating, too, that I wear it when fishing for muskies from my boat in the fall and early winter. You never know!”

In the end, it was one birthday celebration that Carl Schenk and Tom Reinhardt will never forget.

Forrest Fisher