I can’t resist starting this week’s column off with a “What were they thinking?” comment. This one involves DEC’s decision to stock trout in the Otselic River on April 1, the opening day of the trout fishing season. The impact of this, at least in my mind, generates images of a circus-like atmosphere, with anglers casting their offerings to the stocked trout as soon as they’re released into the river. Maybe DEC should consider just “selling” the trout right off the hatchery truck via a $2 donation fee per trout, the proceeds of which would go to the Conservation Fund.
Another negative factor in this decision is its effect on the Chenango County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs’ ability to entice enough volunteers to help stock since many are also avid trout fishermen who may chose to fish that day rather than help with the stocking. And while I understand that stocked trout are generally released to eventually be caught by anglers, does it have to be within minutes or seconds after they’re released into their destined waters? Many states prohibit fishing in stocked waters for at least 24 hours after hatchery-reared trout are released there.
This situation brings to mind another unsavory scene I’ve witnessed in past years that dealt with the stocking of state-reared pheasants during the open season. There seemed to be a small group of “hunters” who somehow learned the scheduling of the trucks carrying the pheasants and would either follow it or be waiting for it to arrive. This group became commonly referred to as “the chicken truck chasers.” And that nickname was not intended to be a compliment. With the opening day trout stocking of this year, the “hatchery truck chasers” won’t have to chase, as the truck will deliver” the goods” right to them.
On a more logical note, most area trout streams should be in good shape for fishing this month, thanks to the earlier snowmelt, modest rainfall amounts, and the sporadic warmer temperature days we enjoyed in late March. And these conditions should only improve as the month wears on, meaning excellent stream fishing opportunities, barring any prolonged periods of heavy rain or snow.

DEC Considering WMU boundary changes
The DEC is considering revisions in two primary areas of the state, including our area. It is proposing to move a portion of Wildlife Management Unit 7M into a new unit, WMU 7P, to address deer hunting pressure and create flexibility for bear management; DMPs for former portions of 7M and 7S, now in 7P. Wildlife Management Unit 7M, which includes Chenango County, is one of the largest units in the state, and the new boundary change would transfer the southeastern portion of Chenango’s 7M to WMU 7P.
If implemented, the new boundary change would impact the current goose and pheasant seasons and limits, as well as some furbearer regulations. The other region of the state being considered for WMU boundary and regulation changes are in the Northern Zone, specifically the Tug Hill Area of Jefferson & Lewis counties, and the Black River Valley; also in Jefferson & Lewis counties.
The change is probably overdue since the geographic and demographic features vary quite widely as one travels south to north or west to east in what is now WMU 7M. I suspect the expansion of the region’s black bear range and numbers have played a role in the DEC’s decision to change the current boundaries so both deer and bear management endeavors would fit the area’s needs, which have changed since 7M was initially created.

NY Amphibian/Reptile Black Market Busted
Concerned about the disappearance of protected turtles, snakes, salamanders and lizards, DEC investigators decided to look into whether there was a black market for New York’s wildlife. In 2007 and 2008, they went undercover, wearing body wires and button cameras, building cases piece by piece (turtle by turtle, snake by snake) from the ground up. They engaged black marketeers on the Internet, at reptile and amphibian shows and in the field.
Working closely with law enforcement officials from Pennsylvania, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, they uncovered an illegal smuggling operation larger and more widespread than anyone could have imagined.
The investigators found New York’s rattlesnakes, salamanders and turtles being shipped out of state and out of the country to support high-end markets for illegal collectors in places like China and Europe. They found thousands of turtles being sold illegally in Maryland to be shipped internationally as meat. They found poachers stealing turtle eggs as soon as they were laid. They even recovered an entire wild population of endangered Massasauga rattlesnakes stuffed in a van in a Niagara Falls parking lot.
As a result, 18 individuals and companies now face charges in New York for illegal commercialization of wildlife. Other jurisdictions are also pursuing charges. The press conference became a widely publicized event – news of the success ran in media outlets across the country and overseas.

Annual Take-A-Kid Fishing Contest
The 31st annual Take-A-Kid Fishing Trip will be held on Sunday June 7 in Clayton-1000 Islands, NY. The event is sponsored by 1000 Islands Fishing Charters and Thousand Islands Inn. The contest is open to all youngsters ages 9 through 15.
Young anglers can submit their names for the drawing through the name submission website or by mail. On Sunday, June 7, 20 young anglers, whose names are drawn at random from all the entries, will enjoy a professionally guided half day northern pike fishing trip in the 1000 Islands.
Postal entries should be submitted on a post card and include the youngster's name, complete address, telephone number, date of birth, age, the name of the publication they saw the contest announcement in and the name of the outdoor writer who wrote the story. Address postal entries to Take-A-Kid Fishing Contest, P.O. Box 69, Clayton, NY 13624 and must be postmarked no later than April 11th or e-mail entries at www.1000-islands.com/fishing/contest.