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I received an envelope in the mail the other day from the NYS DEC. Inside was a window sticker for my car. The NYS Hunter Education Program (HEP) is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Congratulations!
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John Van Etten
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5/16/25
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New York State is home to two different species of cottontail rabbit, the Eastern cottontail, and the New England cottontail. Pennsylvania is also home to two different species, the Eastern and the …
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John Van Etten
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5/9/25
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On April 9, the NYS DEC announced that they have finalized protections for certain endangered and threatened species. Included in the list is the Atlantic Coast leopard frog. I’m glad to see …
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John Van Etten
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4/18/25
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates that there were 476,880 deer taken this past season statewide. That’s up about 11% from 430,010 the previous year.
There were an estimated …
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John Van Etten
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4/11/25
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Tuesday is the opening day of trout season here in New York. The season in Pennsylvania opens the following Saturday, April 5.
Trout fishing is a huge thing here in the Sullivan …
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John Van Etten
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3/28/25
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The toms are starting to get vocal and Spring turkey season is just over a month away. Folks are digging out their gear in anticipation of May. For a turkey hunter this is a magical time …
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John Van Etten
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3/21/25
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The NYS DEC has published their 2024 Bear Harvest Summary Report. There were an estimated 1,685 bear taken this past season, which is up 24% from 2023 and about 13% from the 10-year average.
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John Van Etten
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3/14/25
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No, they aren’t something on display at the Dorflinger Museum in Hawley. Glass eels are juvenile American eels that are transparent. They are spawned and born in the Sargasso Sea in the …
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John Van Etten
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3/7/25
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking input from stakeholders on the upcoming 2025-26 waterfowl hunting seasons. It’s a chance for hunters to voice their opinions and influence the final …
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John Van Etten
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2/28/25
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Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar has announced the release of the Hunting Related Shooting Incident (HRSI) statistics for 2024. It was the second-lowest number of incidents ever. Unfortunately, …
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2/21/25
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The Super Bowl is over (congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles) and the good news is that there are still exciting things to do outdoors this winter. This Saturday is the Bethel Big Burn (BBB) …
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John Van Etten
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2/14/25
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I’ve always been fascinated by owls ever since I was a child. I recall a vivid memory from my youth, driving my father’s Buick Skylark down the Hartwood Club Road in Forestburgh, NY when …
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John Van Etten
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2/7/25
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The 2025 Ted Boniface Memorial Youth Ice Fishing Derby was held this past Sunday on Crystal Lake at Camp Keowa in the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camps. There were 162 brave young folks out on the ice. …
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John Van Etten
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1/31/25
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It’s been below zero again this week and the ponds and lakes are mostly frozen. I’m hearing reports of 6 to 10 inches of ice in some places out there, so it’s time to dust off the …
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John Van Etten
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1/24/25
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New York and Pennsylvania are trying to educate the public about the BearWise campaign, in order to lessen conflicts between humans and bears. What is BearWise? It’s an educational outreach …
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John Van Etten
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1/17/25
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People tend to be more sedentary in the winter months. Here is a short list of some upcoming events that I am aware of to help us all get more active and get outdoors.
Youth Pheasant …
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John Van Etten
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1/14/25
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The Wildlife Management Committee of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met on December 19 to discuss proposed changes for the upcoming seasons for hunting and trapping. There were four …
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John Van Etten
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1/3/25
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New hunters and trappers are required to complete a safety course before being issued a license. As a Master Instructor for the NYS DEC Hunter Education Program (HEP), I can assure you that those …
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John Van Etten
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12/27/24
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The holidays are approaching and the other day I overheard an adult explaining to a child that a “partridge” in a pear tree is a ruffed grouse. No, I didn’t step out of line and try …
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John S. Van Etten
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12/20/24
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The Vice President of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Carl Lindsley, is on a mission. He has been writing letters to Albany, contacting local politicians, and working …
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John S. Van Etten
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12/13/24
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The 24th Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers recently graduated a class of nine. I want to congratulate new Ranger Nicole Kocher from here in Sullivan County on joining their …
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12/6/24
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The NYS DEC is working on updating its State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) for 2025 – 2035. The SWAP is a tool that helps protect wildlife populations that are declining or threatened. Every ten …
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John S. Van Etten
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11/29/24
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Due to the recent drought conditions in our readership area, several burn bans have been put into effect. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has prohibited campfires on state game lands, joining …
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John S. Van Etten
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11/22/24
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Big game season opens in the NY Southern Zone for rifle hunters tomorrow (Saturday, November 16th). As I mentioned in a previous column about elevated (tree) stands, my first thoughts always turn …
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John S. Van Etten
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11/15/24
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The NYS DEC reported that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in Region 6 at a private deer farm. This is the first confirmed case in the state since 2005. The CWD was found during …
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John S. Van Etten
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11/8/24
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