NY outdoor writers meet with DEC

[L&M]

NY outdoor writers meet with DEC commish and discuss a host of issues

Posted by David Figura/The Post-Standard March 10, 2009 8:02AM

More than a dozen outdoor writers from across the state met with DEC commissioner Pete Grannis Monday at the department's downtown Albany office building. We peppered Grannis and other DEC staffers with a number of wide-ranging questions. Among the statements made:

- there's going to be a number of across-the-board fee increases in most categories of hunting, fishing and trapping license fees next fall, but the final numbers are still being hammered out. (And even then, possibly subjected to revision once they reach the state Legislature for final approval.) Among the most recent developments: there will be no specific pheasant or trout stamp as previously discussed. All sportsmen will be paying to get the Conservation Fund in the black, Grannis said. Stay tuned. The fund is currently about 10 million in the red.

I asked if the DEC had considered putting additional fees on other outdoor enthusiasts (hikers, kayakers, boaters, birders, etc..). The answer given was yes, but not this year. The DEC is in an on-going process of considering how to spread the pain of balancing the Conservation Fund -- a process that will extend well beyond this year, DEC staffers said.

- The Reynold's Pheasant Farm will remain open. The money will come from overall fee increases to all sportsmen.

- Grannis said it looks like there will be no crossbow law passed this year. He and other DEC staffers, however, do support the idea.

- The proposed DEC budget calls for a loss of 240 employees, hopefully through attrition. The fish and wildlife division will loose 40. The department will not fill these positions.

- DEC staffers discussed their progress in possibly implementing antler restrictions in several areas of the northern and western Catskills for a five-year trial period -- restrictions requested by many hunters in those areas. A recent mail and phone survey showed a convincing majority but also more opposition than the DEC feels comfortable with. The evaluation process is continuing. Simply stated "Antler restrictions reduce harvest pressure on young bucks, allowing for a greater number of bucks to survive into older age classes (2.5 years and older), becoming larger and heavier, incluind large antlers with more points."

The DEC supports "voluntary antler restriction programs but does not see a critical biological need or compelling management advantage to mandate antler restrictions. (DEC staffers told me while folks down in the Catskills seem to want it, the majority of hunters in CNY, don't seem to be keen on the idea). Bottom line: such regulations will be implemented in areas only if a convincing majority (at least 67 percent) want them.

- The DEC is looking at redrawing the boundaries of its wildlife management areas to address a number of concerns voiced by sportsmen.

. It will be possible by this August to buy a new fishing and hunting license on-line. Presently, you can only renew your license.

[Erbyjoe]

Hank great job on keeping us informed

Thanks

[JR]

Thanks for the info Hank,