September 7, 2012 - Field Notes
Noteworthy News from the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources
In This Issue:
- Contact a Rehabilitator to Help Injured Wildlife
- Handy Summary of 2012-13 Hunting Seasons
- "Coop" Partnership in Fish and Wildlife Research
- Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Kick Off This Month
- Upcoming Recreational Sporting Seasons
- More Noteworthy DEC News
- "Did You Know...?" Fact Featuring the Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Contact a Rehabilitator to Help Injured Wildlife
Snowy owl on release day after receiving care
from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
~Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin
If you discover injured or orphaned wildlife requiring special assistance, it is important to get them in the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. More than 1,100 DEC-licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitators statewide care for and recuperate animals for release back into the wild. To find a licensed rehabilitator near you who can handle specific animals, check the contact list now available on DEC's Rehabilitators webpage.
Handy Summary of 2012-13 Hunting Seasons
Download and print DEC's two-page 2012-13 Hunting Seasons Summary (PDF), which shows dates, bag limits and general regulations for big game, small game, turkey and furbearer seasons. Carry the summary in your pack while afield, or place it next to your calendar to quickly check current and upcoming hunting seasons. A contact number for reporting your deer, bear or turkey harvest within seven days is also available. For detailed information on regulations, licenses, places to hunt, sportsman education and more, visit DEC's Hunting webpage.
"Coop" Partnership in Fish and Wildlife Research
DEC's Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources (DFWMR) works with several colleges in New York State to accomplish priority fish and wildlife research. A key partner is the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Coop Unit) at Cornell University. For more than 50 years, the Coop Unit has worked in sponsorship with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cornell University, the Wildlife Management Institute and the DFWMR to complete important studies which aid in improving fish and wildlife management in New York State. To see their latest work and accomplishments, review the Coop Unit 2011 Annual Report (PDF), and visit the New York Coop Unit website (External Link).
Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Kick Off This Month
Mixed flock of waterfowl take off from a wetland
~Photo by Gary Kramer; courtesy of USFWS
Early Canada goose hunting seasons opened on September 1 and September 4 for most areas statewide, heralding the official beginning of the 2012-13 waterfowl hunting seasons. The first waterfowl hunt weekend for juniors, ages 12-15, will start in the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone on September 22 and 23, followed by the Lake Champlain and Southeastern zones on September 29 and 30. Shortly after youth hunt weekends, regular seasons will start. Final hunting season and regulation information for ducks, goose and brant species are now available on DEC's Waterfowl Seasons and Information webpage. A printable 2012-13 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide (PDF) is also available. All waterfowl hunters are required to use non-toxic shot and have a federal migratory bird stamp (External Link), HIP registration and New York State hunting license.
Upcoming Recreational Sporting Seasons
Listed below are upcoming recreational sporting seasons for Friday, September 7 through Friday, September 21 only. To view all fishing, hunting or trapping seasons, visit DEC's Outdoor Activities webpage.
Hunting
Notice for seasons below: If hunting through September 30, you must have a valid 2011-12 hunting license. If hunting on or after October 1, you must have a valid 2012-13 hunting license.
- September 15 - Early Black Bear Hunting Season Opens in the Northern Zone
During the early bear hunting season, hunters may use a bow, muzzleloader, handgun, shotgun, rifle or crossbow with appropriate licenses/eligibility. You must report your harvest of a bear within seven days via the online reporting system or by calling the toll-free number 1-866-GAME-RPT. - September 20 - Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season Opens in Northern Areas of New York State
This season runs through February 28, 2013, with hunting hours from sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four. Grouse season for southern areas of upstate New York and the statewide woodcock season start on October 1. During these seasons, consider participating in the Grouse and Woodcock Hunting Log, which asks you to record your daily grouse and/or woodcock hunting activities.
More Noteworthy DEC News
Below are DEC press releases not to be missed!
- DEC Finalizes New York State River Herring Regulations
Regulations restricting harvest of river herring (alewife and blueback herring) in the Hudson River, and prohibiting harvest in several other tidal waters will reduce fishing mortality and create a sustainable fishery. - Temporary Closures for Shellfishing in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Effective September 5, the harvest of clams, mussels, oysters and scallops is temporarily prohibited in several bays and harbors in Nassau and Suffolk counties in response to stormwater runoff from increased rainfall. - Honeoye Library: Latest to Join DEC's Fishing Pole Lending Program
The Fishing Pole Lending Program is a partnership with libraries and DEC, allowing patrons with a library card from a participating library to borrow fishing gear for a limited time at no charge. - DEC Confirms First Discovery of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid in Schenectady County
The hemlock wooly adelgid, an invasive insect that infests and kills hemlocks - some of the oldest trees in New York State - has been detected for the first time in Schenectady County.
Did You Know...?
A female black and yellow garden spider
patiently waits for prey. A female black
and yellow garden spider waits to sense
movement on her web, which likely
indicates she's caught a meal.
~Photo by Ronald J. Gizzi II
Orb-weavers are a group of spiders that construct complex and intricately designed sphere-shaped webs used to ensnare unsuspecting flying insects. One of the largest and most widespread orb weavers in North America is the black and yellow garden spider. The female's web can reach up to two-feet wide and take her several hours to complete. Each night, she eats her web and builds a new one, ensuring it is sticky and strong enough for seizing prey.
For more fun facts on spiders, see DEC's brochure Common Spiders of New York (PDF).
