Log in Subscribe

Federation's February Meeting!

Jack Danchak - Columnist
Posted 3/4/21

The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County held their February monthly meeting at the Conservation Club's clubhouse. Only nine Federation delegates were in attendance.

Retired DEC …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Federation's February Meeting!

Posted

The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County held their February monthly meeting at the Conservation Club's clubhouse. Only nine Federation delegates were in attendance.

Retired DEC officer Carl Lindsley reported on the recently submitted NYS budget by Governor Cuomo. Of concern was the expansion of the crossbow hunting season and to combine it with the entire archery hunting seasons. Also included in the budget was lowering the big game hunting age to 12.

President John VanEtten stated he has filed an application with the county to apply for a money grant. The application has been reviewed and he was told that everything looked to be in order. John also said he was approached by the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper to write a piece on what he sees, as president, for the future of the Federation since the retirement of President Jack Danchak.

Secretary Linda Loughrey reminded members that club dues for 2021 are due.

Habitat chairman, Fred Bosch, stated that habitat applications are available, and he can use more inspectors.

The Federation's Youth Day Outdoor Expo is scheduled for September 4, 2021, providing the Grahamsville Fairgrounds will be open.

Carl Lindsley reported on the Youth Ice Fishing Derby, he said it was very successful and thanked everyone who helped. He said there was a great turnout of 102 children, and he figured that out of the 102 children 30 were from the Boy Scouts.

The 2022 coyote contest was discussed and is still questionable. The Federation is trying to see how they can organize it.

Susan Brown Otto reported that the Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District is offering trees and shrubs, contact them at 845-292-6552. It was also stated trees and shrubs can be ordered from the Saratoga Tree Nursery at 518-587-1120.

Next Federation meeting will be held on Wednesday March 10, 2021 at 7:30 PM at the Sullivan County Conservation Club's clubhouse.

PA Eliminates Rifles

For Fall Turkey Season!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission at their January meeting announced they have decided to eliminate the use of centerfire and rimfire rifles for fall turkey hunting because they believe the turkey population is in decline.

Commissioner Scott Foradora said, “I'm a proud member of the NRA and a Second Amendment supporter. If this move helps us keep some semblance of the fall turkey season, I'm all for it rather than closing the season completely.”

According to agency data, only 14 percent of fall turkey hunters use rifles, but they account for 33 percent of the harvest. By eliminating rifle use during the fall turkey season, it's estimated the statewide harvest could be reduced by 20 percent and the 70 percent of turkey hunters that use shotguns would not be affected by the change in requirements.

With a declining turkey trend in most wildlife management units, the removal of rifles for the fall turkey season may be the answer they are looking for.

Jack Danchak is a longtime sportsmen and spent 30 years as the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here