Regular Hunting Season Is Open

This is a brief reminder that regular hunting season opened this Saturday November 21st and runs through December 13th. Late bow season then goes from December 14th to December 22nd. Here is a link to the DEC website so you check out all the dates for yourselves.

Remember to WEAR ORANGE if you are going into the woods at this time of year! Stay safe!

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html

Hunters From Seasons Past

Since hunting season is upon us WV resident historian Rolf Reiss sent me some great old photos of hunters from the past. Here is what Rolf had to say:

"Since it still the season I thought I would share a few images from the early 1900's of successful local hunts.

The first one shows several gents in front of the Central Hotel in Phoenicia including Al Wispell ( the proprietor and stout fellow leaning on the butt of his shotgun) along with several men who unfortunately I have yet to identify. The Central Hotel eventually became Ricciardella's Restaurant and is now awaiting a new purpose. We can only speculate as to whom exactly fired the fatal shot, participated in the hunt or was simply present in town with a rifle or shotgun when the photo was taken.

The second photo taken at the same location seems to include a different cast of characters ( some apparently in their "Sunday go to meeting clothes" ) and a different victim along with a live pet fox on a chain and two adorable imps in the lower left corner sneaking in to the picture.

The last hunt photo was shot in the Woodland Valley Park Association beyond the state campsite.Thanks to our long time resident and avid local historian Linda McDonald who was able to identify the hunter and his son as Fred and Phillip Roberts. Fred was the Association's caretaker for many years. The sign on the tree reads " Automobiles slow down to 8 miles per hour". That was in the days when the old Woodland Valley / Slide Mt. turnpike was still open to cars and connected us to Winnisook Lake, Claryville and beyond."

Best wishes,

Rolf

Regular Hunting Season Begins Saturday

Don't forget that the regular hunting season begins this Saturday, November 15th 2014. And remember, if you are going out in the woods to hike, wear bright orange to enhance your visibility. And it is a good idea to tie something orange (maybe a nice bandana) on your dog too.

If you need further information about the hunting licenses, regulations, lands open to the public or anything else you can go to:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html

There is also a great PDF graphic of the different phases of the season and zoning:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntingseasons14.pdf

Hunting Season

Hunting season is upon us so I wanted to remind everyone to wear bright orange clothes and/or accessories (like gloves, bandanas and hats) when you enter the woods. If you would like to get the exact dates for the season in our area you can go to the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html and follow the link to the PDF with the entire schedule for New York.

Remember to wear bright clothing and stay safe in the woods!

'Tis Hunting Season

There were a few showers in the valley this morning. By mid-day the showers had changed over to flurries as the weather got progressively colder. Even though it is not technically winter yet, it is beginning to feel like it weather-wise. And with the arrival of the cold weather so come the hunters. Hunting season opened last week and there have been a lot of people out and about in the valley.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if you and/or your pet will be in the woods in the next few weeks you should take precautions. A bright, bold, neon orange jacket, hat or scarf is advisable. I know some of you are thinking "But neon accessory accents are so last season!".  That might be true, but here in the Catskills they can help you from getting a rear end full of buckshot or worse. Many different hunting supply stores have pieces you can buy. Phoenicia's own Morne Imports has many choices. So get yourself something bright to wear if you are going out in the woods.

If you would like to check on the dates for the different phases of hunting season you can do so on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/65231.html

Stay safe!

Deer Season Opened Today

Regular deer hunting season opened today here in the southern zone of NY State. Which is why you might have noticed a lot more trucks parked at the side of Woodland Valley Road. The regular season is open from November 19 to December 11th. For all other hunting season information you can go to the NY DEC website below:

NY DEC - Hunting Season

Remember, if you are going into the woods during hunting season to wear your bright orange clothing. You also might want to tie a bright orange bandana around your dog if he/she frequents the forest at this time of year. If you don't have any bright orange to wear you can get some in Phoenicia at Morne Imports. Let's keep everyone safe!