Protecting the Community
Articles based on experience, research and common sense.
Rich Davenport is a prolific outdoorsman with years of fishing and hunting experience. A member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Rich has made numerous contributions to publications and websites on conservation issues. He is frequently sought out for interviews by local news organizations as a qualified expert. His technical background facilitates extraordinary research skills that have earned him a reputation as “Mr. Data”.
16 Tons: NYSDEC DMP ALLOCATION REPORT
“Sixteen tons, what do you get? Another year older, and deeper in debt.” That lyric line from the chorus of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s 1955 classic song, “Sixteen Tons,” is always a line I recall when the calendar flips to the new year, and this...
Houtson we may have a problem
The winter of 2026 will certainly be remembered as one of the best ice fishing seasons, conditions-wise, that WNY has experienced in quite a while. With most inland waterways sporting safe ice by mid-January, and even Lake Erie offering safe ice...
Hardwater Fishing – The “Secret” Fishing Season
Welcome back, old-fashioned winter! I know, many are dreaming of sunshine and swimwear, cursing the cold, and wondering why we live here, right? Here in WNY, winter is just another fact of life and learning how to enjoy the winter certainly helps...
What is a Trophy?
Being a Sportsmen's and conservation advocate for over 20 years now, I've had the pleasure (and sometimes, disgust) in hearing from a lot of sportsmen and women, as listening to opinions, beliefs and values that vary like the wind whipping through...
State of Hunting – Are We Missing the Boat?
As the NY Southern Zone Big Game Regular season winds down, it’s a good time to reflect on the efforts of sportsmen and women, not just in doing their part to manage the herds, but, perhaps more importantly, review the efforts put in to assure the...
Community Marks 54th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day
The fourth Saturday of September, since 1972, has been the day the United States Congress dedicated as National Hunting and Fishing Day; a day of celebration recognizing the indispensable value hunting, fishing and shooting sports delivers to...
The Year of the Walleye
Another Labor Day has passed, another summer season is winding down, but this season in WNY will be forever remembered as the “Year of the Walleye,” as the bite on Lake Erie continues its mind-boggling frenzy that seems to have been sustained since...
Governor Signs Crossbow Bill Into Law
On August 26, 2025, NY Governor Hochul signed the overwhelmingly supported NY Crossbow Bill into law, marking the end of a decades long battle to include the crossbow as a choice for NY hunters, without special medical restrictions or...
DEC Proposes Changes to 2025 Big Game Seasons. Comment period closes August 18, 2025
On June 20, 2025, the NYSDEC released for public comment, a handful of regulatory changes impacting the Big Game hunting rules, stating with the 2025 season. Below are the proposals, and my take on these actions. Move to e-Carcass tagging: ...
Crossbow Bill Passage Brings Long-Sought Changes, Awaits Governor’s Signature
In the final days of the 2025 NYS Legislative Session, both chambers finally brought a new crossbow bill for full floor votes, resulting in passage of S6360A/ A8330A,an act clarifying the use of crossbows, redefining crossbow to be considered with...