I have been getting many calls from Sullivan County residents asking about the new worded DEC regulation about feeding deer. The regulation states that there will be “no-intentional” feeding of deer in New York State, effective immediately.

This new DEC worded regulation may be very difficult to enforce here in Sullivan County, where hundreds of people have been feeding deer and other wildlife legally for the past 8 years, especially during winter months, to help prevent these animals and birds from starvation when food is scarce for them.

At the Sportsmen's Federation January monthly meeting, a DEC Conservation Officer in attendance was asked if any citations of violations on deer feeding in Sullivan County have been issued? He said he was not aware of any.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther has presented a bill-3106 in the NY Assembly and Senator Jen Metzger told us she would support the bill if it gets to the Senate. This bill is an act to establish a moratorium on the prohibition of feeding whitetail deer in Sullivan County. I understand the bill is still in committee.

New York State law says that a bill must pass the Senate and then the Assembly and then the Governor has to sign it to become a law. While the legislature is in session, the Governor has 10 days, not counting Sundays, to sign or veto bills passed by both houses. Signed bills become law, veto bills are returned to the house that first passed them and a statement of the reason for their disapproval must be provided. A vetoed bill can become law if two thirds of the members of each house vote to override the Governor's veto.

If anyone in Sullivan County gets a deer feeding citation, please let the Sportsmen's Federation know about it.

Roscoe Beer Co.

donates $500!

The Roscoe Beer Company has donated a $500 prize to be added to the Sportsmen's Federation coyote contest coming up on February 7-9.

Youth Ice Fishing Derby Cancelled!

The Ted Boniface Memorial Youth Ice Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County, to be held on Saturday January 25 on Crystal Lake, owned by the Ten Mile River Boy Scouts, has been cancelled because of unsafe ice conditions.

Chairman of the Derby Carl Lindsley said this event may be rescheduled in February if weather conditions are favorable.

Jack Danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.