Twenty-one things you should never take on a day hike and the reasons why: 1. map – I’m hiking on a trail, no one ever gets lost hiking on a trail 2. compass - I’m only going in one direction. 3. whistle – I can whistle or just yell really loud. 4. headlamp or flashlight – It’s a day...
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First and most important. The Zero Essential. Leave your plans with a trusted friend or relative who will call the appropriate authorities if you do not return or make contact as expected. If you can’t follow this rule then you have no business being in the woods. After you have taken care of the Zero Essential here is a...
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The Zero Essential is usually forgotten by those who mindlessly regurgitate the ten essentials, perhaps because you don’t buy it in a store, and you don’t even take it with you. (For more on this issue see The Ten Essentials Farce.) The Zero Essential is something you leave at home. It is the information about your planned activity and...
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For decades self-proclaimed backpacking experts have mindlessly regurgitated the Seattle Mountaineers “Ten Essentials” like brain washed cult followers. In October of 2007 REI posted an article proclaiming a “New Ten Essentials” list, and the brain dead adherents of the so called “classic lists” immediately got out their credit cards and starting ordering their “essentials.” The problem with both the...
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Formerly known as Larkin Woods, Franklin Gulf Park is a 637-acre, County-owned, undeveloped park in the Towns of Eden and North Collins. It is primarily a wooded area that has impressive topography and scenic natural features, such as creeks, ravines, waterfalls and ledge outcroppings. The topography is dominated by the by the gulf, a steep gorge which is practically inaccessible....
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–> For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Rick Georgeson – (518) 402-8000 Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Dave Winchell – (518) 897-1248 For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Rick Georgeson – (518) 402-8000 Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Dave Winchell – (518) 897-1248 DEC POLICE TICKET DOZENS FOR DEER POACHING New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) police officers recently...
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Contact: Lori Severino - (518) 402-8000 Monday, March 28, 2011 DEC ANNOUNCES 2010 BEAR HARVEST RESULTS Bear Harvest numbers were strong again this year in New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. In 2010, bear hunters took more than 1,060 bears in the state. “New York has excellent bear habitat and vast,...
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Contact: Lori Severino, (518) 402-8000 Monday, March 28, 2010 DEER HARVEST UP SLIGHTLY FROM LAST YEAR Hunters harvested just over 230,000 deer in the 2010 hunting season, up about 3% from 2009, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The Junior Big-Game License was popular once again,...
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DEC ADVISES PUBLIC ON THE POTENTIAL FOR “WINTERKILLS” ON AREA WATERS Small Nutrient-Rich Waters Most Vulnerable March 16, 2011 Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000 As the ice melts across the state, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) expects to get increasing reports of fish kills in small ponds. Reports of fish mortalities have already been received...
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A new set of rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act goes into effect on March 15, 2011. These rules expand the ability of disabled people to use motorized devices on trails open to the public regardless of whether those trails are on public or private property, and apply to trails on state and local lands. The new rules...
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A recent article published in the FieldNotes newsletter of the Division of Fish,Wildlife and Marine Resources Reports that: In mid-October 2010, the NYSDEC Wildlife Pathology Unit, which is responsible for diagnosing and monitoring causes of sickness and death in New York State’s animals, examined a two and a half year old male moose exhibiting abnormal behavior in the Town...
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The Buffalo Evening News reported that John L. Cobb, a 40-year veteran of the military who became known for his significant land donation to the Finger Lakes Trail, died on January 22, 2011 in the Rosa Coplon Living Center, Getzville. He was 92. In 2000, Mr. Cobb donated a 45-acre parcel of forest and streams in Franklinville for use...
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Thursday, February 3, 2011 DEC Warns Of Avalanche Danger in the Adirondacks – Back Country Visitors Cautioned About Snow Conditions. Contact: David Winchell (518) 897-1211 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today warned Adirondack back country visitors to be aware of the danger of avalanches and take necessary precautions. Snows have accumulated to sufficient depths...
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Amherst State Park is an irregular shaped 77+ acre conservation park in the Town of Amherst. The Park extends from Glen Drive to Sheridan Drive. The main entrance is at 508 Mill Street. There are also unmarked access points on Reist Street, Glen Ave, and Sheridan Drive. Amherst State Park is a good place to view wildlife, including deer...
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The Erie County Bureau of Forestry Park is a 3,400 acre forest located at Genesee Road and Warner Gulf Road in Sardinia, New York. It is managed by the Erie County Division of Forestry. It provides year round recreation for hiking, snowshoeing, and x-country skiing. There is also a snowmobile trail and an equestrian trail, both of which share...
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Responding to the growing number of conflicts between bears and people across New York State, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today (January 21, 2011) announced a new state regulation that prohibits the feeding of black bears. As black bear numbers have increased significantly in recent years and bears have become more widespread throughout New York,...
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ALBANY, NY (12/15/2010)(readMedia)– A major operation to crack down on illegal deer poaching from Montauk to Buffalo has led to charges against 137 individuals for more than 250 offenses, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. The initiative, dubbed, “Operation Dark Night,” focused on the illegal taking of deer by use of artificial light –...
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Boston Forest County Park is an Erie County conservation area located in the Town of Boston, New York. It consist of 710 acres of mostly forest lands bordered on the north by Rice Road, the east by Zimmerman Road, the south by Belcher Road and the west by Feddick Road and South Feddick Road. There is a parking area...
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the “DEC”) has proposed a revision in the Temporary Revocable Permits Policy “TRP”) for activities that require a permit on state lands administered by the DEC. The new policy will apply to state forest lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, as well as state forest lands outside the forest...
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