Following McNitt's lead, Perch Derby rescheduled
By George Franke
Sun Outdoors Writer
Back in October, sportsmen and women lost a good friend, Bob McNitt. "The Voice of Sportsmen" was a moniker he accepted graciously and lived up to. Although I had read his column and subscribed to the New York Sportsman for many years, I'd never met the man until one day drinking coffee at the Uptown Diner in Norwich. I recognized the face from pictures I had seen in magazines, so I sat down, introduced myself, and thus began a long friendship.
We hunted and fished together, attended NYS outdoor writer conventions, and brought that group together here in Norwich for a conference back in October, 2000. When people ask me "where were you on 9/11?" I remember quite well, I was brush hogging on his "back-40.” He touched many of our lives through his writing and personal connections, ever accessible to lend a hand. So, after his passing, I contacted Jeff Genung and Pat Newell here at the Evening Sun, and suggested we continue the Outdoors Column that Bob McNitt wrote for nearly four decades. Today is my inaugural column.
Yes, I'm stepping into boots I could never fill. But in today's age of a shrinking print media, I commend the entire ES staff and management for continuing this weekly column. My goal foremost is to enlighten everyone to the great outdoors. Not only will I cover the traditional "hook and bullet" topics, but also legislation, travel and eco-tourism, events of interest, new products and what other local and state outdoor groups are doing. I'll occasionally be discussing the natural history of our locale, as well as the flora and fauna that reside in and travel through our our area.
Perch Derby date moved to Feb. 18
One of the biggest area outdoor events of February has been rescheduled due to the lack of ice. The annual Chenango Lake Perch Derby, a project of the Oxford Lions Club, had to be moved back to Feb. 18. So mark your calendar accordingly. I went out with Mike Mayhood on Jan. 19 to measure the ice. Mike augured through and found a surprising eight inches of good ice. However, due to unseasonably mild weather conditions this past week, there hasn't been any new ice created on the lake. Town and derby officials require 12 inches of ice for the contest to be a “go.” Checking the 10-day forecast, it looks like most highs will be in the mid to lower 30s and lows in the teens – good ice-making weather.
Some things to note: The pre-registration date for the derby has been extended to Feb. 16, or you can register on the ice for $5 per entrant from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be no bait sold on the ice, but Mayhood’s Sporting Goods (607) 334-2001 will be open at 4 a.m., on derby day. The contest ends at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the 2012 specially tagged perch, if no tagged perch are caught, there will be six drawings for cash as well as cash prizes for the largest perch and pickerel of the day. Additional prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes, starting at 7 a.m. for the largest perch. Food and beverages will be sold on the ice. For more specifics on the derby, contact Mike Mayhood.
Now, I am always critical about where fund-raising monies go. So I asked Mike how the Perch Derby proceeds are spent. He explained to me that there are many site programs funded by the Lions Club, from screenings to glasses themselves. The Oxford Lions also do a Christmas Dinner for the poor and shut-ins. Scholarships are given to students at the Oxford Schools, and other health services are provided as needed. Interestingly, approximately 75 percent of the money raised stays here in the community. Surely, all worthwhile causes we should support. So even if you don't ice fish, take your kids out to see the derby, and show them what ice fishing is all about – and buy a few hot dogs while you're there to support the Oxford Lions Club.
Anglers are reminded that all fish must be legally caught. A new change to the ice fishing regulations from the DEC for 2012 is as follows: In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups. Also, local law enforcement will be on-site monitoring ATV and snowmobile activity.
––
This Saturday, Feb. 4 is the CNY Sportsman's Show 2012. Located at the Oneida Kallet Civic Center on Main Street in Oneida, it’s a one-day show open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. This is a small, but well-run show with lots of quality vendors, free seminars with great speakers, a live zoo, artists, taxidermy displays, laser shooting gallery, and more. There is a chance to win a free family style fishing charter. Also, big buck scoring, so bring your trophy deer, elk, caribou, moose or antelope to be scored by Brian Dam of the NY Big Buck Club. A short note: I've attended this show several times and can attest to it being well run and worth the money. Proceeds benefit Holy Cross Academy in Oneida.
–––
On the Albany front, a lot has gone on in the weeks since I got the nod to do this column. Most importantly for sports folks, the wording in the governor's budget. Granted few people read the entire budget, most are just concerned about tax issues, school funding, budget cuts, etc. and get a synopsis via some media outlet. But in the 2011 budget, wording was initiated that allowed the state to raid the Conservation Fund. These monies are specifically earmarked for DEC projects, like rehabilitating fish hatcheries, the pheasant rearing program, the Delmar Wildlife Labratory, staffing of the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and lots more. The raid was considered in an effort to help lower the state deficit.
The Conservation Fund money comes from two major sources. Revenue from hunting, fishing and trapping license sales and two federal programs. You'll hear me mention these over time, so remember them: The Dingell-Johnson Act and the Pittman-Robertson Act. Both are excise taxes initiated at the manufacturing stage on sporting goods we purchase. D-J is a tax on fishing related gear, P-R is a tax on hunting related gear. Approximately $21 million dollars is annually generated and given to the State Conservation Fund via these two sources. License sales generate approximately another $50 million dollars.
Problem is this: These federal monies must not be used for anything but hunting/fishing/outdoor related projects. By allowing the account to be raided by the state to use the money elsewhere, the DEC stands to lose that funding. I spoke in late January to Jason Kemper, the Chairman of the Conservation Fund Advisory Board. He informed me that the wording has been changed in the 2012 budget to prevent any raids, however no formal notice has been issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service expressing their acceptance of such state budget wording. So there is a great threat to these monies still. There is a state bill out there to prevent this raid from ever happening. It is senate bill #S5921. This has already passed the senate and is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. I urge you to contact your assemblyman and get this passed. The phone number at the assembly switchboard is (518) 455-4100. I've already contacted Assemblyman Crouch who is on the Ways and Means Committee, and he has told me that he'll do everything he can to get this through. Hey, you know who would have to make up that loss of $21 million, don't ya?
Lastly, I'll try to answer any questions or share your comments, thoughts and suggestions. You can reach me at (607) 334-9813 or via email at george_franke@yahoo.com
On this week’s calender:
FEDERATED SPORTSMANS CLUBS OF CHENANGO COUNTY meet at the County Office Building, 2nd floor. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
FRIENDS OF ROGERS, Full Moon Member Night – a night hike or snowshoe and end with some hot chocolate. Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. For more information, to become a member and to RSVP www.friendsofrogers.org (607) 674-4733 for13460@gmail.com
Sun Outdoors Writer
Back in October, sportsmen and women lost a good friend, Bob McNitt. "The Voice of Sportsmen" was a moniker he accepted graciously and lived up to. Although I had read his column and subscribed to the New York Sportsman for many years, I'd never met the man until one day drinking coffee at the Uptown Diner in Norwich. I recognized the face from pictures I had seen in magazines, so I sat down, introduced myself, and thus began a long friendship.
We hunted and fished together, attended NYS outdoor writer conventions, and brought that group together here in Norwich for a conference back in October, 2000. When people ask me "where were you on 9/11?" I remember quite well, I was brush hogging on his "back-40.” He touched many of our lives through his writing and personal connections, ever accessible to lend a hand. So, after his passing, I contacted Jeff Genung and Pat Newell here at the Evening Sun, and suggested we continue the Outdoors Column that Bob McNitt wrote for nearly four decades. Today is my inaugural column.
Yes, I'm stepping into boots I could never fill. But in today's age of a shrinking print media, I commend the entire ES staff and management for continuing this weekly column. My goal foremost is to enlighten everyone to the great outdoors. Not only will I cover the traditional "hook and bullet" topics, but also legislation, travel and eco-tourism, events of interest, new products and what other local and state outdoor groups are doing. I'll occasionally be discussing the natural history of our locale, as well as the flora and fauna that reside in and travel through our our area.
Perch Derby date moved to Feb. 18
One of the biggest area outdoor events of February has been rescheduled due to the lack of ice. The annual Chenango Lake Perch Derby, a project of the Oxford Lions Club, had to be moved back to Feb. 18. So mark your calendar accordingly. I went out with Mike Mayhood on Jan. 19 to measure the ice. Mike augured through and found a surprising eight inches of good ice. However, due to unseasonably mild weather conditions this past week, there hasn't been any new ice created on the lake. Town and derby officials require 12 inches of ice for the contest to be a “go.” Checking the 10-day forecast, it looks like most highs will be in the mid to lower 30s and lows in the teens – good ice-making weather.
Some things to note: The pre-registration date for the derby has been extended to Feb. 16, or you can register on the ice for $5 per entrant from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be no bait sold on the ice, but Mayhood’s Sporting Goods (607) 334-2001 will be open at 4 a.m., on derby day. The contest ends at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the 2012 specially tagged perch, if no tagged perch are caught, there will be six drawings for cash as well as cash prizes for the largest perch and pickerel of the day. Additional prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes, starting at 7 a.m. for the largest perch. Food and beverages will be sold on the ice. For more specifics on the derby, contact Mike Mayhood.
Now, I am always critical about where fund-raising monies go. So I asked Mike how the Perch Derby proceeds are spent. He explained to me that there are many site programs funded by the Lions Club, from screenings to glasses themselves. The Oxford Lions also do a Christmas Dinner for the poor and shut-ins. Scholarships are given to students at the Oxford Schools, and other health services are provided as needed. Interestingly, approximately 75 percent of the money raised stays here in the community. Surely, all worthwhile causes we should support. So even if you don't ice fish, take your kids out to see the derby, and show them what ice fishing is all about – and buy a few hot dogs while you're there to support the Oxford Lions Club.
Anglers are reminded that all fish must be legally caught. A new change to the ice fishing regulations from the DEC for 2012 is as follows: In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups. Also, local law enforcement will be on-site monitoring ATV and snowmobile activity.
––
This Saturday, Feb. 4 is the CNY Sportsman's Show 2012. Located at the Oneida Kallet Civic Center on Main Street in Oneida, it’s a one-day show open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. This is a small, but well-run show with lots of quality vendors, free seminars with great speakers, a live zoo, artists, taxidermy displays, laser shooting gallery, and more. There is a chance to win a free family style fishing charter. Also, big buck scoring, so bring your trophy deer, elk, caribou, moose or antelope to be scored by Brian Dam of the NY Big Buck Club. A short note: I've attended this show several times and can attest to it being well run and worth the money. Proceeds benefit Holy Cross Academy in Oneida.
–––
On the Albany front, a lot has gone on in the weeks since I got the nod to do this column. Most importantly for sports folks, the wording in the governor's budget. Granted few people read the entire budget, most are just concerned about tax issues, school funding, budget cuts, etc. and get a synopsis via some media outlet. But in the 2011 budget, wording was initiated that allowed the state to raid the Conservation Fund. These monies are specifically earmarked for DEC projects, like rehabilitating fish hatcheries, the pheasant rearing program, the Delmar Wildlife Labratory, staffing of the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and lots more. The raid was considered in an effort to help lower the state deficit.
The Conservation Fund money comes from two major sources. Revenue from hunting, fishing and trapping license sales and two federal programs. You'll hear me mention these over time, so remember them: The Dingell-Johnson Act and the Pittman-Robertson Act. Both are excise taxes initiated at the manufacturing stage on sporting goods we purchase. D-J is a tax on fishing related gear, P-R is a tax on hunting related gear. Approximately $21 million dollars is annually generated and given to the State Conservation Fund via these two sources. License sales generate approximately another $50 million dollars.
Problem is this: These federal monies must not be used for anything but hunting/fishing/outdoor related projects. By allowing the account to be raided by the state to use the money elsewhere, the DEC stands to lose that funding. I spoke in late January to Jason Kemper, the Chairman of the Conservation Fund Advisory Board. He informed me that the wording has been changed in the 2012 budget to prevent any raids, however no formal notice has been issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service expressing their acceptance of such state budget wording. So there is a great threat to these monies still. There is a state bill out there to prevent this raid from ever happening. It is senate bill #S5921. This has already passed the senate and is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. I urge you to contact your assemblyman and get this passed. The phone number at the assembly switchboard is (518) 455-4100. I've already contacted Assemblyman Crouch who is on the Ways and Means Committee, and he has told me that he'll do everything he can to get this through. Hey, you know who would have to make up that loss of $21 million, don't ya?
Lastly, I'll try to answer any questions or share your comments, thoughts and suggestions. You can reach me at (607) 334-9813 or via email at george_franke@yahoo.com
On this week’s calender:
FEDERATED SPORTSMANS CLUBS OF CHENANGO COUNTY meet at the County Office Building, 2nd floor. Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
FRIENDS OF ROGERS, Full Moon Member Night – a night hike or snowshoe and end with some hot chocolate. Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. For more information, to become a member and to RSVP www.friendsofrogers.org (607) 674-4733 for13460@gmail.com
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