Since the beginning of the year, the DEC has been asking interested parties to partake in the Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey. It is an easy way to help the DEC monitor turkey flocks throughout the state during the winter. All you'll need is a pen, survey form, and possibly a pair of binoculars.
The survey is used to monitor trends in relative abundance of turkeys statewide and within major regions of the state. This survey helps us assess the general health of the wild turkey population prior to the breeding season in the spring. The survey continues until the end of March. Forms can be found at: www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/wintertkysurvey.pdf
The goal of the survey is to collect observations from every county in the state. This is an opportunity for people interested in wildlife to partner with DEC to help monitor wild turkey populations. So even though we're half way into the survey period, participation will still be beneficial.
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I was not the only one a little nervous that the Oxford Lions Club Perch Derby wouldn't come off this year due to lack of ice. The warm days of early February did not look good for the creation of ice. But this past Saturday, 378 registered fishermen and women were provided with a foot of ice under two to three inches of snow on Chenango Lake. As I walked along the roadside, cars and trucks from several different states were parked, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and even Georgia. Truly a nice sight to see for such a great cause. With 30-degree temperatures and overcast skies the derby went on without a hitch!
There were no tagged perch caught, so the $1,000 first prize money (donated by NBT Bank) was raffled off. The winners were, Thomas Rutledge, Hamilton, $500; Jesse Williams, Waterville ,$250; P.A. Timperlake, Oxford, $100; James Lamphere, Norwich, $75; Ryan Tuttle, Sidney, $50; Alan Mulwane, Afton, $25.
 Largest Perch of the Day:  Bert Beckwith, Buffalo, 13 15/16” (Record Setter) – donated by Preferred Mutual Insurance - $150. Largest Pickerel of the Day: Ryan Morse, Cincinnatus – 25 1/2” – donated by Dr. Richard Polgar - $150.
Raffle ticket winners (each worth $100.00):  Mayhood’s Sporting Goods – George Wright, Norwich; The Stadium, Oxford – $100 gift certificate, Fred Sullivan Otego Place Farm Trucking – $100 cash, Grant Ward, Hartwick; NBT, Oxford – $100 cash, Linda Bartle, Oxford; Sidney Federal Credit Union – 100 cash, Chris LaCroce, Oxford; Burrell’s Excavating, Norwich – $100 case, David Partirdge; Hayes Office Supply, Norwich – $100 Gift Certificate, Brienne Charles, Oxford; Oxford Big Blue Convenience Store – (4 ) $25 gift cards – Valden Pittsley, McDonought. Giltner’s, Norwich – $100 Gift Certificate, Joe Piscitello, Laurens; Oxford Rod & Gun Club – $100 cash, Jeff Conant, Norwich. )
Prizes were also given out every 15 minutes for the largest perch. The team of Jayne Deverall and Allison Gabala had the most winning fish for the day, with six. Way to go ladies! From my walking around the lake and checking how anglers were doing, I believe Dick Chapman (the man who actually stocks the tagged perch for the derby) was High Hook with about 30 perch and sunfish, and he quit fishing about 11 a.m. Attaboy, Dick!
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While on the topic of fishing, changes to the current freshwater fishing regulations designed to enhance fishing opportunities and protect the state's freshwater fisheries were announced by DEC. They will accept public comments on the proposals through April 2, 2012.
The proposed regulation changes are the result of careful assessment of the status of existing fish populations, and the desires of anglers for enhanced fishing opportunities. Several of the changes being considered are to remove special regulations that are no longer warranted.
I checked through all the proposed regulation changes. There are 33 in all, statewide. Rather than list each one, I looked at those affecting Chenango County and our bordering counties (Broome, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego and Madison) . There are three.
• Implement a 40-inch size limit for muskellunge and tiger muskellunge in the Chenango, Tioughnioga, Tioga and Susquehanna rivers (Chenango, Cortland, Broome and Tioga counties) to increase the trophy potential of these species in these waters.
• Eliminate the existing ban on the use of tip-ups in Crumhorn Lake (Otsego County) because this is an unnecessary regulation.
• Explicitly and clearly indicate that the catch and release requirement for New York City waters does not apply to snakeheads and that any snakeheads caught while angling are not to be returned to the water.
If you're fishing outside the six county area listed above, you should check out the full text of the draft regulation as well as instructions for submitting comments at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html .
 Final regulations, following full review of public comments, will take effect October 1, 2012
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Lastly today, the NYS Conservation Council has asked interested parties to act on the closure of 224 camps in the Adirondacks.

On Sept. 30, 2011, four  environmental groups, Protect the Adirondacks, the Sierra Club, Adirondack Wild, and Atlantic States Legal Foundation directed a letter to N.Y.S. Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and N.Y.S. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli asking them to halt the DEC's plan to allow 224 camps to remain on Heartwood Forest Land (former Champion Lands) in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. These requests have been made even though the land owner and  the DEC have approved the plan, and the A.P.A. has issued permits.
The camps in question have been used by sportsmen and women and their families for well over 50 years with no discernible negative environmental impact. The plan does not change the historical use of the area, nor the plan for the public at large to use these lands; these camps provide a lifeblood to small businesses in our local communities as families enjoy nature, snowmobile, ATV, view nature and hunt, fish and Trap. The action by these environmental groups comes after many years of efforts by the sporting community, the DEC, and our elected officials to develop a plan to accommodate the historical use of these lands. It is recognized that the sporting community and their families have been good stewards of these lands and contribute significantly to conservation efforts in N.Y.S.
It is requested by NYSCC that you contact your elected officials and ask them to please Support the DEC's plan to allow two-hundred and twenty-four (224) camps on the Heartland Forest Lands Fund Easement (former Champion Lands) to remain. To continue the historical uses of easement lands and the important traditions associated with them.

Calendar:
Opportunities for Rural & Forested Land
Feb. 25, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Maine Memorial School, Maine NY
This half-day program sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County will be held in Maine and offers workshops on the following topics: growing berries in the forest periphery, silvopastures in Northeastern farms and woodlots, small scale woodlot harvests, growing nut trees, portable sawmills, and wetland restoration and construction. Cost is $15 for the first family member, and $5 for each additional family member. To register contact contact Carol at clf62@cornell.edu or( 607) 772-8953.
 
2012 Cornell Landscape Webinar Series for Professionals: Detection and Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
A program designed to update green industry professionals about the early detection and integrated management of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) – invasive insects of importance that have made their way to the Lower Hudson Valley.
Date/Location Information: Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 from 5:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, 99 N Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815. Phone: 607-334-5841
Program Content: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Identification and Management. Cornell University Entomologist and BMSB Specialist Peter Jentsch will outline the arrival, ID, and management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and what it means for landscape professionals.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Natural History, Detection, and Community Action Plan. Cornell University Entomologist and EAB Specialist Mark Whitmore will discuss the ID and Natural History of EAB and what your community can do to prepare for this pending pest.
Direct program questions to Rebecca Hargrave jrh45@cornell.edu or 607-334-5841
The cost is $20 per person, and includes a pizza dinner. Download registration form at http://ccechenango99.squarespace.com/storage/hort-nr/hort/2012%20CLSP-%20BMSB%20and%20EAB.pdf

Note: Franke may be reached by e-mail with comments or questions at george_franke@yahoo.com