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	<description>A place to share information about the outdoors</description>
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		<title>NYS DEC Tickets Deer Poachers</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=405</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=405#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:04:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[&#160;Powered by Max Banner Ads&#160; &#8211;&#62; For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Rick Georgeson &#8211; (518) 402-8000 Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Dave Winchell &#8211; (518) 897-1248 For Release: IMMEDIATE                                      Contact: Rick Georgeson &#8211; (518) 402-8000 Tuesday, November 29, 2011                                                       Dave Winchell &#8211;   (518) 897-1248 &#160; DEC POLICE TICKET DOZENS FOR DEER POACHING &#160; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) police officers recently concluded a blanket deer taking enforcement detail in the Capital Region and surrounding areas in conjunction with the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, DEC announced today. &#160; Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) worked in conjunction with their counterparts in neighboring states to set up saturation patrols to target illegal deer shooting with the use of an artificial light, a practice commonly known as deer jacking. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas, throughout the night. During this operation, which took place in late October and the first three weeks of November, ECOs worked long hours and often confronted armed individuals. &#160; “The vast majority of hunters pursue and take game legally,” said DEC Law Enforcement Major Tim Duffy. “We work closely with the sporting community to stop individuals from illegally taking game to the detriment [...]]]></description>
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		<title>New York State DEC releases 2010 Bear Harvest Information</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=402</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=402#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=402</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160; 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. &#8220;New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting,” said Commissioner Martens. “Black bears are thriving in New York, and they represent a great resource for all New Yorkers.” Statewide, hunters took 1,064 black bears this past fall, similar to harvest levels of 2005-2007.  While overall population size plays a large role in harvest totals, annual variations in take are also strongly influenced by environmental factors that affect bear activity and hunting pressure such as natural food availability and snow fall. In the Southeastern bear hunting area, hunters took 401 bears, with roughly half of the harvest occurring during the bowhunting season and half during the regular firearms hunting season.  In the Central-Western bear hunting area, hunters took 142 bears, with bowhunters responsible for about 65% of the harvest.  Harvest in both areas was down approximately 20% from 2009. In [...]]]></description>
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		<title>New York State 2010 Deer Harvest Information Released</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=351</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=351#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:26:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=351</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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, with over 16,000 junior hunters taking advantage of the opportunity to hunt big game, harvesting approximately 4,900 deer. “Deer hunters play a crucial role, benefiting all New Yorkers, by helping to maintain deer numbers at levels that are ecologically and socially appropriate, and we appreciate their participation,” Commissioner Martens said. Deer Harvest The 2010 deer take included approximately 123,100 antlerless deer (adult females and fawns) and just under 107,000 adult bucks.  Deer harvests in the Northern Zone were very comparable to 2009, with adult buck take (approx. 16,100) essentially unchanged and antlerless take (approx. 12,500) only increasing about 3%.  In the Southern Zone, excluding Long Island, adult buck take (approx. 89,900) increased nearly 6% while antlerless take (approx. 108,600) increased only about 2%. &#160; 2010 Deer Harvest Comparison 2010 Total 2009 Total Previous 5-Year Average (2005-2009) Total Take 230,100 222,798 206,848 [...]]]></description>
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		<title>NYS DEC Expects Spring to Reveal Winterkills</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=341</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=341#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:59:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 from some small waters in the southeastern portions of the state. Whenever large numbers of dead fish are observed, there is concern that a pesticide spill or disease caused the mortality. However, in most cases fish kills that become obvious when the ice melts can be attributed to “Winterkill,” a natural phenomenon that occurs when waters rich in nutrients, algae, and other aquatic plants are covered with ice and snow for long periods of time. Winterkills occur when ice and snow prevent sunlight from entering the pond and prevent aquatic plants from producing oxygen, necessary to maintain life in the pond. The ice cover also prevents oxygen from mixing into the pond’s waters from the atmosphere. Instead, the decomposition of organic matter and respiration of aquatic organisms in the pond cause a steady decline in oxygen. If the snow and ice [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Trail Access for Disabled People to Expand</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=330</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=330#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=330</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 will also apply to private trail management organizations like the ATC, and FLTC. There is much yet to be resolved about the interpretation of the new rules. You can get a sense of the potential scope of the new rules by listening to the Webinar at AmericanTrails.org. First, any trail open to foot traffic must also allow wheelchairs to be used on the trails. Old trails don&#8217;t need to be modified. The new rule just prohibits trail managers from excluding wheelchair use. A wheelchair is defined as a device designed to be used indoors and outdoors by a person with a disability. This definition excludes such things as ATF&#8217;s and snowmobiles, which are covered under the motorized device class. Trail managers must also allow use of motorized devices by disabled people unless they can establish certain reasons to prohibit the use [...]]]></description>
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		<title>NYS DEC Report: Brain Worm in New York&#8217;s Moose.</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=325</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=325#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:15:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moose]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=325</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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&#8217;s animals, examined a two and a half year old male moose exhibiting abnormal behavior in the Town of Steuben, Oneida County. The moose was lying down in a cow pasture and appeared blind; it could not stand when prodded by a DEC Biologist. The moose was subsequently euthanized and submitted to the Wildlife Pathology Unit for necropsy (animal autopsy) where it was diagnosed with brain worm infection (review the case report online). Brain worm is a nematode (roundworm) called Parelaphostrongylus tenuis that commonly parasitizes white-tailed deer (the definitive host) and typically causes the deer little to no harm. When P. tenuis infects moose, sheep, llamas, or elk it will result in abnormal behavior that leads to loss of body condition and eventual death. Over the years, several biologists have speculated that New York&#8217;s large white-tailed deer population with its attendant P. tenuis infections would limit the population growth of moose in New York; however, this has yet to [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>John L. Cobb, Finger Lakes Trail donor, died on January 22, 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=323</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=323#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:40:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finger Lakes Trail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=323</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 as part of the Finger Lakes Trail, an 800-mile foot trail stretching from Canada to Allegany State Park and the Catskills. “I wanted to do something worthwhile with it,” he said at the time. The property is on the west side of Route 242, just south of the entrance to Boyce Hill State Forest. The Finger Lakes Trail passes over the eastern portion of the property, and a loop trail climbs the hill and leads to a bivouac area. Join the forum discussion on this post]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=323</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NYS DEC Warns Of Avalanche Danger in the Adirondacks</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=319</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=319#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:55:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=319</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thursday, February 3, 2011 DEC Warns Of Avalanche Danger in the Adirondacks &#8211; 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 on Adirondack Mountain slopes to create conditions conducive to avalanches. While avalanche danger increases during and immediately after major snowfalls, as well as during thaws, avalanches can occur in any situation where snow, slope and weather conditions combine to create the proper conditions. The majority of avalanches in the United States occur in the western mountains.  However, avalanches do occur in New York and can have dire consequences. DEC reminds back country winter recreationists to take the following precautions when traveling in avalanche prone terrain: know avalanche rescue techniques; practice safe route finding; carry safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel); never travel alone; know the terrain, weather and snow conditions; and inform someone where you plan to go and when you expect to return. Information on avalanche danger and safety precautions is available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/950.html.  A brochure titled [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Amherst State Park Hiking Maps and Trails</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=248</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=248#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:03:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 and beaver. There are several trails in the park. Although the trails are not marked they are easy to follow because of they either cut through vegetation or are well defined paths. You can see an interactive Google Map by clicking HERE Borders and Trails of Amherst State Park Southern section of Amherst State Park The Southern section abuts Glen Drive in the Village of Williamsville. It is bordered on the east and west by the Glen Park parking lots. Ellicott Creek runs through the middle of the Amherst State Park beginning on the north side of Glen Ave. The Southern section of Amherst State Park is a wooded (and sometime wet) area along the banks of Ellicott creek. The Southern section extends to the old orchard. It includes the section that extends east to Reist Street. Trails in the Southern [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Erie County Bureau of Forestry Trails</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=236</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=236#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:28:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=236</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 portions of the Conservation Trail. The main parking area, warming hut, and the maple sugar shack are located on the north side of Genesee Road, approximately 7 miles east of the Genesee Road exit off Route 219.  About 50 yards east of the main parking area there is a second small parking area on the south side of Genesee Road, where the main hiking trails (the Scarbuck Trail and Conservation Trail) enter the woods south of Genesee Road. The Scarbuck trail consist of a main loop (2 miles long) and an extension loop (1 mile long). The two loops intersect at the “Bridge Too Far” over Dresser Creek.  The two loops can me hiked without retracing your track except for the walk over the Bridge Too Far. The Conservation Trail (part of the Finger Lakes Trail) uses the eastern and southern [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=236</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>New York DEC Adopts Statewide Ban on Feeding Black Bears</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=231</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=231#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:58:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=231</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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, the number of interactions between bears and people has grown, often resulting from the intentional or incidental feeding of bears. Previously, DEC prohibited the intentional feeding of bears in proximity to certain locations. In an effort to reduce bear habituation to human-supplied foods and future human-bear conflicts, DEC’s new regulation prohibits both incidental and intentional feeding of bears statewide. Specifically, the regulation bans intentional feeding of black bears, and, after previous written notice from DEC, also prohibits incidental or indirect feeding of black bears through food attractants such as garbage, refuse or bird seed. The regulation grants DEC the authority to require removal of these and other food attractants when bears become problematic. DEC generally encourages discontinuing bird feeding activity in the Spring when bears emerge from their dens and natural foods for bears are not abundant and natural food for [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NYS DEC Anti-Poaching Initiative Shines Light On 137 Violators</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=226</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=226#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:34:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=226</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ALBANY, NY (12/15/2010)(readMedia)&#8211; 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, &#8220;Operation Dark Night,&#8221; focused on the illegal taking of deer by use of artificial light – a practice commonly known as &#8220;deer jacking.&#8221; This involves nighttime wildlife crimes where poachers shine a spotlight on a deer feeding in fields to &#8220;freeze&#8221; the animal long enough to shoot it – killing deer when they are most vulnerable. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas, late at night. Due to these late hours and secluded areas, there are few, if any, witnesses to this crime. This fall, DEC undertook the largest coordinated anti-deer jacking initiative in the state&#8217;s history. During a seven-week period, ECOs were assigned to saturation patrols in targeted rural locations in every part of the state except New York City, with stakeouts taking place at all hours of the night. While ECOs are vigilant for wildlife poaching crimes throughout the year, these targeted patrols largely covered the weeks before the start of the southern zone [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Boston County Forest offers hiking and xcountry skiing</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=221</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=221#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:41:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=221</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 and hiking trailhead just 1.2 miles west of the Rice Road exit off Route 219. The parking area is not plowed although people do use it in winter. Parking on Rice Road is possible but should be avoided in winter because the snow filled ditch is close to the edge of the road.. Parking on Rockwood Road just east of the official parking area seems to be a better option in winter. There is also sufficient shoulder to park along South Feddick Road near the gate the forest service road. Note that the forest service road is used by the county of Erie as a roadkill dump. Roadkill is dumped here and then covered with mulch. The topo and aerial maps below show the border of the county land , a loop trail made up of hiking trails and snowmobile trails, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NYS DEC &#8211; Proposed Changes to Permit Policy</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=217</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=217#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:42:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 preserves. A draft of the new policy is available here The change is necessitated by the new use restrictions regulations adopted in May of 2009. Under the new regulations, permits are needed for any organized activity of more than 20 people on state lands under the jurisdiction of the DEC: Section 198.8(cc) of the Regulations states: On State lands, no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in any organized event of more than twenty people unless otherwise authorized by the department. Examples of organized events include, but are not limited to: sponsored hikes; archery and fishing tournaments; snowmobile, bicycle, horse and orienteering races, runs, rides or competitions (including biathlons and triathlons); encampments; and re-enactments. Permits for such activities are presently available under the existing Temporary Revocable Permit Policy which requires a $25 permit application fee, proof of at least $1 million [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>The Demise of the New England Cottontail – Skeletons in Thoreau’s Cabin on Walden Pond</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=211</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=211#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2010 23:37:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New England Cottontail is close to extinction. The New England states and New York all have programs attempting to save the New England cottontail. Its demise started with the destruction of its habitat, which consist of the thicket and brambles that used to be so common in New England and eastern New York. What happen to the thicket and brambles? They were cleared for farming, then for housing, then for shopping malls. Sadly, one of America’s iconic tree huggers, Henry David Thoreau, was a contributor to the demise of the New England Cottontail. Like so many after him, he selfishly cleared about two acres of thickets on Ralph Waldo Emerson’s land on Walden Pond to plant his famous bean field. When he did so he wasn’t thinking about rabbits or nature. He was thinking about beans. Emerson got a cleared field out the deal. Thoreau got a lot of beans. And the New England cottontail got a view of things to come. The next time a fellow hiker or backpacker starts quoting Thoreau trying to establish a mindless romantic connection with nature, ask them to join you in a moment of silence for the New England cottontail. Hopefully some [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Poachers kill PA game warden</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=203</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=203#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:10:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=203</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A sad day for all law abiding citizens and LEO’s. It amazes me how many people are willing to justify criminal behavior like poaching on the basis of romantic notions of someone breaking the law to feed their family. Take a look at this thread about poaching on ADKforum.com. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. The people who condone such behavior are no different than the lowlifes that murdered game warden David L. Groves. Rest in peace office Groves. Rest in peace.]]></description>
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		<title>Bear Spray vs Bullets</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=180</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=180#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 14:27:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=180</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study concluded that bear spray is more effective than firearms in stopping bear attacks. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has authorized its field employees to carry bear spray based on the USFWS report and a study done by Canadian bear biologist Dr. Stephen Herrero that reached similar conclusions A recent AP story highlights some of the issues arising from the recently enacted federal law that allows firearms in national parks.  The concern is that people will now use firearms for bear protection rather than bear spray, resulting in more bear deaths than necessary.  A large part of the concern is that people often mistake non-charging bear movement for a bear attack.  Using bear spray in such situations would be harmless.  Using a firearm might be lethal. The full AP story can be read here: New law pits guns vs. grizzlies in national parks Join the forum discussion on this post]]></description>
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		<title>NYS DEC: Air Guns Now Allowed for Small Game Hunting</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=178</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=178#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 May 2010 17:24:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=178</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The DEC has adopted a new regulation that allows small game hunters to use air guns. Before the recent change, DEC regulations did not clearly allow their use for hunting. The new regulation permits the use of air guns that shoot a pellet that is .17 caliber or larger, using either a rifled or smooth bore barrel. The air gun must produce a pellet velocity of at least 600 feet per second. Air guns may be used to take any small game species that may also be taken with a .22 caliber rimfire firearm. This includes rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, and hunted furbearer species, such as fox, coyote, and raccoon. Modern air guns are also available in &#8220;big bore&#8221; calibers and are very suitable for larger mammals, including furbearers. At the present time, air guns are not allowed for hunting big game.]]></description>
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		<title>The Zero Essential</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=173</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=173#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 13:31:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=173</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This post will be regularly updated with news stories about people who were rescued from the wilderness by the Zero Essential, or people whose rescue was delayed because they had forgotten the Zero Essential. The Zero Essential is usually forgotten by those who mindlessly regurgitate the ten essentials, perhaps because you don&#8217;t buy it in a store, and you don&#8217;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 planned return time left with a trusted friend or family member. It allows Search and Rescue teams to begin a SAR effort at the earliest possible moment. The difference between a rescue and a recovery of a person from the wilderness is often a race against the clock. The Zero Essential works unlike anything you might have in your backpack because it can&#8217;t be lost by you, or be broken, or run out of power, or be inoperable because of your injury or illness. Don&#8217;t leave home without leaving it home. Rescues and Recoveries: Town of Bolton, Lake George Wild Forest, Tongue Mountain On Thursday, December 2, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Guy Waterman vs. SAR teams</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=167</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=167#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=167</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guy Waterman wrote in &#8220;Backwoods Ethics” that the very presence of communication devices such as cell phones, even if they&#8217;re tucked away and unused, reduces the wilderness experience. A recent article in the New York Times &#8211; Hikers: Can You Hear Me Now? By Katharine Mieszkowski – states that San Francisco area search and rescue (SAR) officials are urging people to take cell phones with them on their trips into the wilderness: “We tell people to always have a cellphone with you, Lt. Dave Dubowy, a patrol watch commander with the East Bay Regional Park District, told The San Francisco Chronicle. “Technology is wonderful now. The GPS capabilities make our jobs so much easier.” … The American Hiking Society, a national advocacy group, recommends carrying one in case of emergency but frowns on yakking on the trail. “We would ask that hikers respect the natural experience that other hikers are out to enjoy,” said Heather Sable, trail programs manager for the society. What would a disciple of Waterman who is also a member of an SAR team say on the subject? Would such a person admonish people for bringing cell phones into the wilderness but then hope that they had [...]]]></description>
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		<title>A $40 Hammock Stand</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=161</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=161#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:37:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammocks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=161</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dick&#8217;s Sporting Goods stores have the Quest hammock stand on sale for $49.99.  Using a $10 off $50 coupon brings the net total to $40.  It is 15 feet long (from top of pole to top of pole) and 48 inches hight.  The end caps are plastic so some tubing from Lowes or Home Depot can be added to increase the height.  For that matter, the center base tube could be cut in half and also extended. It goes together with the depressible buttons and holes.  I weigh 240lbs and it held me fine.  It is the heavy gauge steel. Unfortunately, there are no specs on the box and nothing inside the box other than a one page instruction sheet showing how to mate the tubing. It looks like 2 inch tubing but I haven&#8217;t taken off the end caps yet to measure. The $10 of $50 coupons can often be found on the net , but I got mine by filling out the online survey after my last purchase from Dick&#8217;s.  And I&#8217;ll get another one after filling out the online survey from this purchase, so I could even say that this hammock stand only cost me $30, but [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>A Tale of Two Hikers</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=141</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=141#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:35:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navigation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=141</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Two recent stories of hikers who did not return from a day hike as planned highlight the difference between hikers who are prepared to spend a night in the woods even if they had set out on a day hike, and hikers who risk their lives because of lack of knowledge or egos. These stories highlight the two most important essentials for so called day hikers. First, always leave information with a trusted relative or friend about your planned excursion and return.  The San Francisco hiker came close to death from hypothermia because no one was looking for him after he failed to return as he had planned.  The Vancouver hiker had a much better chance of survival if his delayed return had been due to injury because an SAR was alerted as soon a she had not returned as expected. Second, never venture into the woods unless you are prepared to spend the night.  Weather, illness, accident, or other unexpected event can easily turn your planned day hike into an overnight adventure.  Will you be able to survivor and enjoy the adventure, or instead place yourself at risk of being a search and recovery instead of a search and [...]]]></description>
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		<title>NYS DEC Proposes Revised Bear Feeding Rules</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=126</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=126#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:43:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finger Lakes Trail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=126</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has published proposed regulations to amend the DEC&#8217;s black bear feeding regulations to establish a comprehensive, state-wide prohibition on the intentional and incidental feeding of black bears in New York. The proposed rulemaking will also update the conditions under which hounds can be trained and used to help manage bear problems.  The use of bear hounds is one of the most effective tools for reducing bear damage to farm crops, especially corn. The DEC believes that most human-bear conflicts can be eliminated or greatly reduced by removing food attractants.  It has focused educating the public with the message &#8220;Do not feed bears.&#8221; The DEC proposes an amendment that will  prohibit the feeding of  bears  to protect public health and safety, with exceptions allowed only in those limited instances where needed for research and management purposes. By adopting this regulation, the DEC hopes to reduce the number of problem  bears  , including situations requiring their destruction. Comments will be accepted through June 7, 2010. The existing regulations prohibit intentional feeding of bears based on proximity to certain locations and do not impose a comprehensive, state-wide prohibition.  The DEC has concluded that the limited [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Black Bears in WNY on the increase</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=109</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=109#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:04:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Department of Environmental conservation has issued an alert about the increased risk of encounters with black bears in Western New York (DEC Region 9) this spring and summer. Watch this the DEC TV video on black bears in Western New York A DEC senior wildlife biologist, Timothy Spierto, stated that region’s black bear population is at its highest level in decades. He estimates that 300 to 500 bears currently live in Western New York, mostly in the Southern Tier. Most of the bears are concentrated in and around Allegany State Park, but a few have migrated to other, more populated locations, including Buffalo, Amherst and parts of Niagara County. During 2009, 26 bears were killed by collisions with motor vehicles in WNY. On June 13, 2009, A motorist struck and killed a black bear in Wyoming County. A bear was killed on the southbound Niagara Thruway between Seneca and Smith streets in the City of Buffalo on May 26, 2009. And another bear was struck and killed on May 15, 2009 on the Aurora Expressway in the Town of Aurora. In July of 2009, Town of Amherst police shot and killed a young black bear that [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=109</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>NY DEC Proposes Elimination of CWD Containment Area</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=88</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=88#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:53:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Central New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=88</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed elimination of the “containment area” currently in place in central New York to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (&#8220;CWD&#8221;).  DEC has determined that revisions to the CWD regulations are needed since CWD has not been detected following five years of intensive monitoring. If adopted, the new regulations will allow deer hunters to harvest deer within the old containment area without bringing the deer carcass to the check station near Rome, NY. The proposed changes to the CWD regulation are available for public comment until June 1, 2010 and may be viewed in full at this DEC website. The regulatory impact statement can be viewed here. Information about submitting comments to the proposed regulations can be found here. Information about the existing containment area and regulations can be found here]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=88</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Adirondack Update: Camping Restrictions</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=79</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=79#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:47:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=79</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In 2001, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the “DEC”) added new camping restrictions to the regulations governing use of wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park, including (1) a description of an area known as the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor [6 NYCRR section 190.13(b)98)]; and (2) a prohibition on camping anywhere in the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor other than at a designated campsite [6 NYCRR section 190.13(f)95).] However, the camping restriction for the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor does not go into effect until “such time as the department completes its designation of such campsites within such corridor.” See 6 NYCRR section 190.13(f)(5). As of April 5, 2010, the DEC Senior Forester assigned to the project has stated that it is not expected to be completed during 2010. Thus, the camping restriction for the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor will not be in effect at least until the spring or summer of 2011. It appears that the South Meadows-Flowed Lands Corridor is shown on the map as the area outlined in red, although the description given in the regulations seems to have an error in that it doesn’t seem to follow the loop. Perhaps the DEC will need to amend [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=79</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>ccoutdoorstore review</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=65</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=65#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:21:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>wnyhiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=65</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[UPDATE: I got a phone call this weekend from one of the managing partners, and a long email from another of the managing partners of ccoutdoorstore.com They apologized for the incident. They said they really had only one of the items I ordered and that after they filled my order they realized that the entire group of items I had ordered from (camelbak items) was priced too low to make a profit, so they increased the price of the entire group but forgot to take the item I had ordered off the list. It is plausible. So perhaps I&#8217;ll give them a second chance. About a week ago, ccoutdoorstore took my order, charged my Paypal account for the order, then confirmed the order, payment, and supposed shipment of the order in 3 different emails.  But the order never arrived. When I inquired I was told that the item was out of stock and they would not restock it, and that they had refunded my purchase price through paypal. When I checked their website they were still selling the item but at double the price shown on my confirmed order and confirmation of shipping. When I confronted them about the continued [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=65</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Roadkill Dinner</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=30</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=30#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:43:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=30</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A recent Associated Press story, entitled “In rural NH, deer-car crashes bring free &#8216;dinner&#8217;” reports on the practice in New Hampshire of eating road kill deer.  The story states that: &#8220;if the animal can be salvaged, it&#8217;s offered to the driver who hit it. If the driver doesn&#8217;t want it, the officers call folks who will take the animal for venison.&#8221; Actually, it isn’t all that unusual.  For example, under the New York State Conservation Law, any police office, local or state, can issue a deer carcass permit to a motorists who has hit and killed a deer. But leave it to some moonglow to suggest that “maybe people should try driving more slowly where deer are known to be present.” The reason there are so many damn deer being hit by cars is because not enough are being shot by hunters due to the shortened hunting season and other restrictions placed on taking game.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=30</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Catskills Tragedy: 1 rescued, 1 dead</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=29</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=29#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:18:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=29</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Friday, March 12, 2010, two hikers set out in the Catskills for a weekend backpacking trip. They hiked to a lean-to Friday night were they stayed that night. On Saturday morning they went for what was expected to be a day hike along the Big Hollow Trail in the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness Area. They became lost called 911 for assistance Saturday night but could not give sufficient information for an SAR team to immediately locate them. They spent Saturday night in a snow cave. Unfortunately, they did not have adequate equipment for the wet heavy snowy storm. One of them was found alive Sunday. they other had succumbed to hypothermia. They were described as &#8220;experienced hikers&#8221;, a description that does not align with the choices they made. The wet heavy snow storm had been forecasted at least a week prior to their trip. They left their equipment at the lean-to and ventured on a trail but failed to take snowshoes, navigation aids, dry clothing, fire starters, candles, head lamps, or other survival items. Story here We can all sympathize with the pain now being experienced by the friends and family members of the deceased hiker. But we can also [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=29</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Erie County (New York) Outdoor Expo &#8211; Mar 11-14</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=28</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=28#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:16:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fishing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=28</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Erie County (New York) Outdoor Expo will be at the Erie County Fair Grounds this weekend &#8211; Thursday, March 11 to Sunday, March 14. Schedules of events, shows and exhibitors can be seen at this website.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?feed=rss2&#038;p=28</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>NYS DEC CRACKDOWN ON DEER POACHING</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=27</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=27#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:19:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=27</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Crackdown on Deer Poaching Nets More than 100 Individuals December 8, 2009 Contact: Yancey Roy, NYS DEC (518) 402-8000 “Operation Jackhammer” Targets Violators in Hudson Valley, Catskills, Capital Region and Adirondacks A major initiative to crack down on illegal deer hunting from the Hudson Valley to the Canadian border has led to charges against 107 individuals for more than 250 offenses, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Jackhammer,” focused on the illegal taking of deer by use of artificial light – a practice commonly known as “deer jacking.” This involves night hunting where poachers shine a spotlight on a deer feeding in fields to “freeze” the animal long enough to shoot it &#8212; killing deer when they are most vulnerable. Typically, deer jacking occurs in remote rural areas, late at night. Due to these late hours and secluded areas, there are few, if any, witnesses to this crime. This fall, DEC undertook the largest coordinated anti-deer jacking initiative in the state’s history. Operation Jackhammer utilized more than 100 Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) from the Hudson Valley, Capitol Region, the Catskills and the [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Can Hiking and Hunting Co-exist?</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=26</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=26#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:30:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=26</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Once again the hiking forums are flooded with post about not hiking during big game hunting season.  Last year, a local ADK Club Chapter cancelled a planned hike “due to hunting season” even though the hike was in a county forest where hunting is prohibited.  My daughter and I had a very enjoyable hike that day in the newly fallen snow.    But some type of hunting is allowed all year in New York.  So staying out of the woods during big game season isn’t rationale if your sole reason for avoiding the woods is because there might be people in the woods discharging firearms.   In any event, those who are concerned about getting shot while hunting can take some precautions as opposed to giving up an enjoyable time in the woods.  First, wear a blaze orange shirt or coat or at least vest and cap.  Second, don’t follow any game you come across.  Third, stay on established trails rather than bushwhacking through tall brush or thick forest.   Finally, I leave you with this to contemplate.  It is a quote about hunting versus hiking that I came across on a backpacking forum:   “In fact, when you enter [...]]]></description>
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		<title>New Website for Western NY Outdoors Information</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=25</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=25#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fishing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Outdoors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=25</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A new website (wnytrails.com) has been started for information about trails in western New York.  Go to http://www.wnytrails.com   Presently it only has blogs about a trails in Dann Lake Park (a town park in Amherst, NY) and the Amherst State Park (a state park alos in Amherst, NY)]]></description>
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		<title>How to Survive a Day Hike</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=23</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=23#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Eastwick Press recently published a story about two local hikers who got in trouble on a planned day hike up Round Mountain in the Adirondacks. You can read the full story here: Desperate Hours For Two Grafton Hikers While reading the story I was immediately struck by these contradictions: “My mother, age 86, and I are lifetime hikers and campers in all seasons” but “had not brought a watch (to help us gauge our progress and schedule our return trip), a flashlight, matches or a space blanket or other emergency shelter tarp.” and “I was wearing a cotton T-shirt, and it was soaked with sweat”. The real gist of the story is that these two spent a lifetime hiking and camping in all seasons and learned nothing from it until this near tragedy occurred. Thankfully they were willing to tell their story and suffer the public humiliation arising from their failure to gain knowledge through their lifetime of hiking and camping experiences so that others could read of their plight and hopefully learn from their mistakes. Their story exemplifies the five major survival essentials every hiker or backpacker needs to address before setting off on a hike, regardless of [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Finger Lakes Trail opened to mountain biking</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=22</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=22#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:31:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Biking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finger Lakes Trail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=22</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By: Nogods Due to a change in the New York State regulations regarding public land use for lands under the jurisdiction of the DEC, all trails through state forest lands outside of the Adirondack Park are now open for mountain biking unless specifically posted otherwise (that means posted by NYS, not some sign posted by the FLTC or others.) That doesn&#8217;t mean you should bike on those trails, it only means you can if you choose to do so.]]></description>
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		<title>Is Bear Spray (Bear Repellent) Legal in NYS?</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=21</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=21#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:34:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bear spray legal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=21</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few days ago I set off to discover whether bear repellent (bear spray) is legal in New York. I discovered that it is legal because it is a registered pesticide with the Department of Environmental Conversation (and the EPA) even though it exceeds the allowable size of a “self defense spray” under New York Penal law section 265.20 and the controlling regulations of the New York State Department of Health at 10 NYCRR 54.3. However, only those bear repellants registered with the DEC qualify as pesticides. Non-registered bear repellants would violate Penal Law 265 and the Department of Health regulations. Moreover, self defense sprays that are legal under Penal Law 265 and the Department of Health regulations can only be sold by licensed firearms dealers or pharmacists. Bear sprays registered as pesticides can be sold by anyone, including internet sellers. The DEC has approved several “bear repellents” as pesticides. The complete list of all approved pesticides can be found here. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/pestprod.pdf The four I found searching the document for “bear” are: COUNTER ASSAULT BEAR DETERRENT FRONTIERSMAN BEAR ATTACK DETERRENT GUARD ALASKA BEAR REPELLENT UDAP PEPPER POWER BEAR DETERRENT click here to go to the Forum Discussion of this topic]]></description>
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		<title>Golden Hill State Forest</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=19</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=19#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:55:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trail Guides and Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=19</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Golden Hill State Forest seems to be off the radar for most outdoor enthusiasts. I’ve been there three times on three perfect days and not once have I run into another person. The trails are by far more interesting and aesthetically pleasing than any of the FLT trails in Cattaraugus County. There are two main trails with a few spur trails off the main trails. These are multi-use trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Most of the trail resembles a narrow game trail. Markings are sparse, although there are DEC red and blue markers and some flagging. It is a pleasure to hike in a state forest in Cattaraugus County without being constantly annoyed by the ubiquitous FLT/CT/NCT orange or white paint blazes every ten feet. Does everyone in the Finger Lakes Trail Conference own stock in Strathmore Paints? I was there on a Saturday. Temperatures in the 60’s. Mild breeze. Clear blue skies. No humidity. Did not come across another person. Did see deer, a snake, several frogs, lots of caterpillars, and feathers of a recently devoured bird. Check it out. You’ll like it. Unless you are one of those people who hikes to get a patch or certificate. [...]]]></description>
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		<title>GPS Review &#8211; Garmin etrex Vista HCX vs 60csx</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=18</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=18#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:07:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navigation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[garmin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gps]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=18</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently purchased both a Garmin etrex Vista HCx and a Garmin GPSMap 60csx. After trying them both and doing some research I decided to return the 60csx and keep the Vista. I know, lots of people think the 60csx is the granddaddy of all gps units, but if they did a little research they might think otherwise. The only caveat is that if you are going to use a gps unit with an external antenna, then you would need to buy the 60csx as none of the etrex models has the ability to attach an external antenna. The software features and capacity are the same on both units. The 60csx has a lower power on rating (18 hrs) as opposed to the Vista (25 hrs) because the 60scx has a larger and higher resolution screen. Also, the 60csx is no longer rated compatible with lithium batteries because of some hardware or software problems. Garmin took out the lithium battery option in the latest firmware revision for the 60csx. As to hardware, the Vista is smaller and significantly lighter, especially when you factor in the use of lithium batteries in the Vista. The buttons for the Vista are on the [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Adirondack Park &#8211; Eastern High Peaks Zone</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=17</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=17#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:48:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adirondacks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High Peaks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a map of the Eastern High Peaks Zone (EHPZ) in the Adirondack Park High Peaks Wilderness Area (HPWA) The BLUE line depicts the EHPZ in which the special rules apply, including: 1. No campfires 2. Bear Canisters required for all food and toiletries for overnight campers between the dates of April 1 and November 30.  See the DEC Website about Bear Canisters 3. Dogs must be on leash while on trails, in camps, or where there are other people. You can read the complete set of rules in section 190.13 Wilderness Areas in the Adirondack Park Before you go, consider joining the ADK Mountain Club, or at least purchasing an ADK High Peaks Trail Guide Book (directly from the ADK or local retailers like EMS.) At EMS you can also get the National Geographic Adirondack Park 3d Program (which made the map below) or the National Geographic physical map of the Adirondack Park.]]></description>
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		<title>Bear Creek State Forest &#8211; Franklinville, NY</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=16</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=16#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:28:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>nogods</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finger Lakes Trail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bear Creek State Forest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLT hiking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=16</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bear Creek State Forest &#8211; Franklinville, NY (you can read the full article at Bear Creek State Forest Info) Shown below are an aerial photograph and a topographical map of Bear Creek State Forest, including hiking trails, horseback ridding trails, and snowmobile trails. Bear Creek State Forest is northeast of Boyce Hill State Forest The Finger Lakes Trail runs through both forests. Note, however, that the hiking trail shown below is from the DEC GIS data,  and is not exactly the same as the gps tracks created by actual hiking of the trail by the FLTC. You can purchase the actual hiked gps tracks from the Finger Lakes Trail Organization The forest boundary is in transparent blue. Hiking trails are in orange Equestrian Trails are in cyan Snowmobile trails are in white This is a 3D Topo map made with ArcGIS Explorer]]></description>
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		<title>The UTM vs Lat/Lon System</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=15</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=15#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:37:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The United States Geological Survey (“USGS”) is a federally chartered organization charged with providing “geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information that contributes to the wise management of the Nation&#8217;s natural resources.” It is the organization that produces the topographical maps hikers and backpackers have all come to know and love. The USGS uses the “UTM” system for good reason.  If you are still stuck on “latitude and longitude” then you need to enter the 21st century.  Don’t listen to self-proclaimed experts who say otherwise and then try to sell you a “map and compass” course using the outdated latitude and longitude system.  They just have metric-system envy (and bunched up panties.)  People who &#8220;draft&#8221; arrogant ignorant statements are simply arrogant and ignorant. Here is a short blurb from the USGS website about the UTM. Map Projections The most convenient way to identify points on the curved surface of the Earth is with a system of reference lines called parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. On some maps, the meridians and parallels appear as straight lines. On most modern maps, however, the meridians and parallels appear as curved lines. These differences are due to the mathematical treatment required to portray a [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Leave Your Dog at Home</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=14</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=14#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 23:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiking]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=14</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So you think your dog is ready for a hike in the wilderness. Think again. Despite what you think about your dog it does not belong in the woods unless you are prepared to let it go join a pack of dogs. Your dog is an animal. No matter how cute you dress it up, no matter how well behaved it is, no matter how well you know it (hopefully not in the biblical sense), it is still an animal. Every year more than 14 million people are bitten. The most common phrase heard after a dog bite is &#8220;he (or she) never did that before!&#8221; There is a reason your dog walks on all fours instead of upright. There is a reason your dog runs from tree to tree squirting its scent. There is a reason your dog has no shame about defecating in public. The reason is YOUR DOG IS AN ANIMAL! Anyone who thinks otherwise is really abusing their pet. Dogs don&#8217;t want to be human. They want to be dogs. If you want a child either have one or adopt one. But please don&#8217;t torture your dog by trying to turn it into a human for [...]]]></description>
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		<title>The Ten Essentials Farce</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=10</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=10#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 12:57:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hiking-Backpacking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[essentials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 original and new ten essentials list is that they mislead backpackers, novices and experienced alike, down a path of pending disaster while spuriously imparting a sense of security.  Their defect is that instead of focusing on a list of needs to survive, they focus on a list of equipment one might imagine would be useful (but not necessarily so) to a survival situation. Trash the “Ten Essentials” unless you are the type that likes to walk around in a backpacking outfit at the mall while sipping on your latte.  Instead, before you go into the woods for even a day hike you need to secure the survival essentials that will fulfill your survival needs should you not be able to proceed or return as planned. The survival essentials are not a list of specific equipment.  Rather they are a list of [...]]]></description>
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		<title>The &#8220;Forever Wild Clause&#8221; &#8211; myth and reality</title>
		<link>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=5</link>
		<comments>http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/?p=5#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 May 2008 01:44:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>adk46r</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adirondack Issues]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.practicaloutdoors.com/blog/?p=5</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Adirondack Park includes approximately 6 million acres of land in the northern portion of New York. Approximately half the land in the park is owned by private individuals and entities, and the other half is owned by the state of New York. In 1894 the citizens of New York State adopted a constitutional amendment designed to protect the forest within the park from depletion for purposes of protecting the watershed and the economic viability of the Erie Canal. This constitutional provision is referred to as the “Forever Wild Clause.” Unfortunately many people think that the purpose of “Forever Wild Clause” is to maintain the wilderness in the Adirondack Park in a primordial state. When discussing an issue concerning activity in the park those people often invoke the “Forever Wild Clause” in a romantic emotional context asserting that it prohibits anything that might disrupt the smallest twig on the forest floor. Fortunately for the rest of us the courts have held otherwise. And we can basically ignore those romanticizing fanatics is a go about both preserving and enjoying the Adirondack Park. The “Forever Wild Clause” is nothing more than a tree protection clause. But the courts have held that protection [...]]]></description>
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