Submitted Photo
Gorden Batchelor, right, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from outgoing New York State Conservation Council President Chuck Parker, left, and newly elected President Keith Tidball.
The New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) is a crucial organization that convenes twice a year to discuss and propose changes to existing legislation, consider new laws, and document suggestions from NYSDEC professionals and statewide legislators.
The NYSCC’s mission is to aid in the formulation and establishment of sound policies and practices designed to conserve, protect, restore and perpetuate forests, wildlife and scenic and recreational areas in New York. This mission is of utmost importance, ensuring that present and future generations can continue to enjoy and use these natural resources. As the oldest conservation organization in New York State, the NYSCC is made up of dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned with the sound management of NYS’s land, water, fish, and wildlife.
Members, including representatives from County Sportsman Federations and Associate Member organizations, gather details and provide input on issues of concern to their members, discuss, and then vote accordingly at the NYSCC’s Annual or Legislative Meetings.
Additional input is provided by Affiliate (local or special interest) Members. The votes at these meetings set Council policies often used when dealing with the governor, legislators, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other state agencies.
The NYSCC is not just an organization, but a powerful representative of over 300,000 sportsmen and women from organized conservation groups, rod and gun clubs, and various related outdoor organizations across New York State.
Submitted Photo
Fishing with Captain Tom Miranda of Pole Dancer Sportfishing, Gordy Anderson from Grand Island enjoyed catching a limit of yellow perch in Lake Erie late this week.
If you’re not yet a conservation or sportsmen club member, consider joining to have a voice in our rules of fishing, hunting, trapping and the New York outdoors. Sportsman membership and participation are crucial to the success of the NYSCC and the preservation of New York’s natural resources.
The fall convention held last weekend at the Delta Lake Bible Conference Center near Rome, N.Y. was a significant semi-annual event for the NYSCC. Long time President Chuck Parker passed the torch to newly elected President Keith Tidball. Parker, who has been president since 2013, is a dedicated and passionate outdoorsman who led the Council through the tough COVID years. He is now assuming duties as the new 1st Vice-President.
Several local Western New York sportsmen have also been newly elected and are taking active roles in the Council. Zen Olow from Fredonia is the 2nd Vice President, Diane Steel from Alden is the Treasurer, and her husband, Jim Steel, is the Director-at-Large. Other locals in the membership management groups (hunting, fishing, trapping, etc.) include Dan Tone from West Falls, Rich Davenport from Tonawanda, and Joe Fischer from Cheektowaga. President Parker presented WNY resident Jack Coad with the “Volunteer Conservationist of the Year” award for his continuous dedication to the outdoors.
At this conference, the NYSDEC conducted an open question and answer period that included discussions on the new paperless hunting license, trout ponds, posting of public streams, and more. Representatives from law enforcement, natural resources, fish and wildlife, and others provided input. Interim DEC Commissioner Sean
Mahar, the Director of Fish & Wildlife, the Chief of the Bureau of Wildlife, the Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries (Steve Hurst) and others were on hand. Attendees also heard presentations by the Native Fish Coalition New York Chapter, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rivers of Recovery and the Wounded Warriors in Action. The keynote speaker was Gordon Batchelor, Executive Secretary of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Well respected by all, Batchelor retired as Chief Wildlife Biologist for the State of New York in 2015 following a 35-year career. He is an enthusiastic deer and turkey hunter. He especially enjoys taking novice hunters afield and teaching others about the heritage and value of trapping and hunting in the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow (CLFT) workshops. Gordon Batchelor received the prestigious 2024 NYSCC Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to conservation. To keep up with NYSCC, sportsmen can receive the “NYSCC Grass Roots News” as a Guardian Member for $30/year. Visit https://www.nyscc.com/membership. Worth every penny.
Last but not least, this weekend, there is great news for Lake Erie yellow perch fishing fans. Captain Tom Miranda of Pole Dancer Sportfishing did a search last week and found active schools of perch feeding on pods of spiny water fleas in 78 feet of water. Not using anything but regular down-scan sonar, Miranda was able to zoom in on the water fleas (those little white sticky things that get stuck on downrigger lines) and see the perch below them gorging lunch and dinner. Miranda was fishing straight out from Sunset Bay in Chautauqua County.
His secret to catching them?
Sabiki rigs!
“We tie two to four of them on each rod,” Miranda says. “And if the bite is hot, we only tip with one golden shiner on one of the hook points.”
His group of four took 100 plump perch to the cleaning table. Successful fishing trips like this are a testament to the abundance of yellow perch in Lake Erie and a good reason for every fishing enthusiast to grab their fall fishing gear, get excited, and get out there to participate in the fun. Sabiki rigs are saltwater bait rigs usually used to catch bait fish from an ocean pier. Their multiple hooks make them an ideal consideration for yellow perch rigs. We never stop learning from charter captains who share! The water temperature has dropped to 68 degrees. Contact Captain Miranda at Pole Dancer Sportfishing at 716-531-6683.
Gotta love the NY outdoors.
Outdoor Calendar:
Sept. 14: 4th Annual Chautauqua Lake Falleye Fishing Classic, Prendergast Point Boat Launch, 6AM-2PM. Open to all. Register on site. Contact Dillan LaBarbera for info: 716-499-7545.
Sept. 14-22: NYS Early Antlerless 2024 Deer Season (firearms allowed), check specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Sept. 15: Deadline for waterfowl hunting applications to Oak Orchard/Tonawanda WMAs. Visit NYSDEC online.
Sept. 21: Chautauqua lake musky contest, NY Muskies – Chapter 69, 7AM-3PM, Lakewood Community Park, $40 entry for members, $50 non-members; pre-register online at https://nymusky.com.
Sept. 21: Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY, 1-Day walleye tournament, 12:01 a.m. – 12-noon. Weigh-in 12-noon to 2PM at 5895 Southwestern Blvd, at the clubhouse. $45 registration. Info: Paul Sanchez, 716-228-6520.
Sept. 21-22: WNY Walleye Association, Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, Contact Ron Kucinski: 716-545-5925, or email: kucinski1293@gmail.com.
Sept. 28: National Hunting and Fishing Day
Sept. 28: Hanover Fish & Game, 3-bird fall fun shoot, Registration 8AM, Shooting starts 9AM; 780 Overhiser Rd., Forestville, NY. Open to the public.