The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County held their November monthly meeting at the White Lake Firehouse on Route 17B. Guests in attendance were DEC Law Enforcement Officer Mike Hameline and retired DEC officers Carl and Deming Lindsley.

Carl Lindsley reported that the early bear harvest numbers are still increasing with over 55 bear already taken in Sullivan County. With the cold weather we are recently having, bear sows and cubs will start to den-up, the males are the last to go into hibernation.

Deming Lindsley reported that the legislature passed an intoxicated law, that is similar to the DWI auto driving law. This law will take effect in September 2020. A reading of .08 or greater will be the guideline used to convict an intoxicated hunter. He also said there will be two DEC officers coming to Sullivan County directly from the Academy.

DEC Officer Mike Hameline reported on early bear cases that resulted in fines. Mike also said he will be leaving Sullivan County in February.

President Jack Danchak read a thank-you note from Marcia Fink, who was one of the four women that the Federation sponsored and sent to the “Becoming an Outdoor Women Event”, and was held at Lake George. She said she would recommend this event to all women.

President Danchak also read a letter from Cindy Barber ESQ, inviting Federation members to attend a retirement party honoring Judge Frank LaBuda. The event will be held at the Sullivan Restaurant in Rock Hill on December 6 and is hosted by the Sullivan County Bar Association. For further information and to make reservations call 845-791-7800.

President Danchak reported that the Coyote Hunt Contest applications have been mailed and e-mailed to over 1,000 previous coyote contest hunters and applications are arriving daily.

Fish chairman Harold Buley stated fish will be stocked next week.

Habitat chairman Fred Bosch reported that he is having good results from his planting of Keifer pear trees and Granny Smith apple trees, and both still have fruit on them.

Harold Buley and Gary Muthig reported about New York City Reservoir properties. If you intend to hunt on their properties, it is mandatory that you wear orange blaze clothing, at least 250 square inches. Watch for the signs with different colors: RED means that there is construction and timber cutting going on. YELLOW means you are in a no hunting area.

John VanEtten said that the Sullivan County Friends of the NRA are looking to possibly schedule an NRA spring fundraising banquet. If this should occur, he will announce the time and date.

Chairman of the Youth Ice Fishing Derby, Carl Lindsley said that everything is set for this event to take place on the last Saturday in January and hopefully there will be safe ice.

Chairman of the coyote contest, Jack Danchak said the coyote contest applications are starting to come in and coyote contest t-shirts and gun raffle tickets are selling well and he had to order more t-shirts.

The DEC has come out with new regulations to help combat chronic wasting disease (CWD). They stated, they are not encouraging people to feed deer. Here in Sullivan County it is legal to feed deer and other wildlife. The Sportsmen's Federation encourages everyone who wants to feed deer, to wait till the deer hunting seasons are over. Once you start a feeding program, you should continue to feed at least to April.

Nominating committee chairman, Bruce Miller, announced the committee's choice of officers and trustee to serve the Federation in 2020: President Jack Danchak, Vice President John VanEtten, Secretary/Treasurer Linda Loughrey and Trustee for three years Harold Buley.

Meeting was adjourned and the December monthly meeting will be held on December 11, 2019 at the White Lake Firehouse on Route 17B.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

jack danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.