Kolodziej Outdoors

MORE FERAL SWINE
Last weekend there was an interesting article in the New York Times on feral swine here in the state. Surprisingly, this article focused on problems developing around Peru, NY in Clinton County. While they’re rarely spotted because of their nocturnal nature, they nevertheless have left their mark on many farms in that area and landowners are justifiably concerned. Recently a trail camera photo showed who the culprits were, since many farmers felt the damage to their crops and fields was being perpetrated by deer or other critters. As I mentioned previously here in the Recorder, feral swine pose a problem not only to crops but also to fawns, ground nesting birds, snakes and even domestic livestock. In effect, they’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat them first. According to Ed Reed, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Environmental Conservation, “there’s a real sense of urgency” in the Clinton County situation. “Once the pigs get established, they are difficult to eradicate completely.” So. it appears Clinton County can now be added to the half dozen or more other New York State counties where feral swine have made their presence known.
The agency has tried trapping the swine but with only limited success since the critters tend to learn their lessons well and once a few of their brethren are captured in any location, the remainder generally stay away. Peru is in an agricultural area of the state and residents are now wondering where the swine will head to when and if their populations grow sufficiently dense to force an expansion to “greener pastures.” Being omnivorous – meaning they’ll eat just about anything – they can pretty much go where they please and will always manage to find food of some sort.
It’s tough to get a handle on the current population feral swine in the state but DEC estimates that the current population is only around a few hundred or so. Of course that’s conjectural because of their reclusive habits but the presence of even that many can be disconcerting to farmers and other landowners.
Texas has an estimated population of some three million feral swine and they do an estimated $50 million in damage annually. As a matter of fact, their presence and numbers in that state has spawned several TV shows featuring hog hunting. Florida is no slouch in that department either. The Sunshine State now boasts an estimated population of them approaching one million, and they’re found in 37 other states in the US as well, including but not limited to North and South Carolina, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee,Pennsylvania and portions of New England. In Florida alone they’re said to do as much as $4 million in damage annually to marshes, orchards, lawns, farms, golf courses and other private property. While hunting turkeys in Florida a dozen years ago I found myself in “hog heaven” when a few down of them – of varying sizes – came running right at me as I exited a forested area. I have no idea what they had in mind but I beat a hasty retreat back into the woods and they ran right past me, scarcely a few dozen yards away. Too close for comfort, especially since they have a reputation for being ill-tempered as well as ugly.
While Clinton County’s swine population is estimated to be rather small, a few dozen at this time, one of the captured pigs weighed an impressive 300 pounds.

TROUT SEASON
April 1, the opening day of the statewide trout season is only about a week away and if you haven’t yet begun your pre-season preparations, now is the time to get to it. The mild – actually warm – weather we’ve enjoyed the past few weeks had one unintended consequence that really helped. Last week I decided I’d take advantage of that weather to turn over the soil in the garden. It’s too early to plant but I couldn’t resist getting a pitchfork in the ground and at least turn over the garden. I decided to do it by hand because the garden isn’t all that big and I sure needed the exercise anyway, so I started the process. By the time I was half done I had enough fat, chunky garden worms to last me through at least the first few weeks of the trout season. That was a welcome side benefit of being ambitious enough to get out there and dig up the garden now. My bait supply is secured and the critters are now safely in the bedding container, waiting for opening day.
Last year at this time, the Department of Environmental Conservation was warning anglers that due to the previous winter’s heavy snows, they could expect high, cold stream conditions, but that’s not the case this year. Quite to the contrary, conditions should be near ideal thanks to the warm weather, lack of snow last winter, warmer water temperatures and the lack of runoff. Trout stocking in area streams is right on track and some waters will receive their first release of trout in time for opening day.
Several streams in Montgomery County are scheduled for trout stocking this month and next, conditions permitting. They include: Canajoharie Creek (Canajoharie) 100 12-15 inch browns and 1330 8-9 inch browns; Crum Creek (St. Johnsville) 350 8-9 inch browns; Kayaderosseras Creek (Ft. Johnson) 620 8-9 inch browns; Otsquago Creek (Minden) 270 8-9 inch browns; and Timmerman Creek (St. Johnsville) 350 8-9 inch browns.
Other area streams that are popular with early season anglers are: Elk Creek in Otsego County which is slated for 840 8-9 inch brown in the Maryland area, and Schenevus Creek, also in the Maryland area, which is slated for a release of 3990 8-9 inch browns and 500 12-15 inch browns. The Battenkill in Washington County is scheduled for a release of 4350 8-9 inch browns in the Greenwich area and another 6660 8-9 inch browns in the Salem area. The Mettawee, also in Washington County, was slated for 3900 8-9 inch browns in the Whitehall area. Saratoga County’s Kayaderosseras Creek is slated for early releases of 4440 8-9 inch browns in the Greenfield and Milton areas.
The above figures include only those trout planned for stocking in March or April. Other stockings are expected to occur in the next few months and the above list represents only those more popular waters in this area. There are plenty of other nearby streams you can fish as well. If you’d like to review the entire list of anticipated spring releases of trout, by county, you’re invited to visit DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor and then just type “spring trout stocking” in the subject box. That should bring you right to it.

BE CAREFUL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
The Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a warning for backcountry trekkers and travelers. This is especially timely in view of last week’s late-winter snowdump. While it didn’t impact all areas of the northcountry equally, it still created potential problems which should be addressed.
Briefly, dress for the weather and dress in layers so appropriate clothing can be doffed or added as necessary.
Visitors to the Eastern High Peaks are required to use snowshoes or cross-country skis and it’s strongly recommended that visitors to other parts of the Adirondacks do the same.
If you’re headed into icy mountain areas, crampons are a must and should be carried in your pack just in case.
Carry a day pack containing the following items: an ice ax, wind/rain resistant outerwear, appropriate winter boots, extra clothing, a map and compass as well as a GPS if you have one, plenty of food and water,a first-aid kit, flashlight and/or headlamp with fresh batteries, sun glasses, sun block protection, ensolite pads, a compact stove and extra fuel, and a space blanket or bivy sack.
Other hints include: drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, eat plenty of food, check the weather forecasts before venturing out, know the terrain and your own physical limitations, never travel alone and always inform someone of your intended route and expected return time.
Condition on some slopes are also conducive to avalanches and they can occur anywhere that the snow, slope and weather conditions combine to create the proper conditions. A few have already been reported including one on Wright Peak.
For information on avalanche conditions and safety precautions, go to the DEC site at: www.dec.ny.gov/public on the web. You can also get valuable information on DEC’s Adirondack Trail Information web page at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor where you can get the latest data on trail conditions and view links that will take you to weather and snow cover info.
Be safe, not sorry. Leave backcountry winter travel for those experienced with it.

CONTEST RESULTS
The unusually mild weather we experienced threatened to derail plans to hold the January 28 annual Walleye Challenge and Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation ice fishing contests but after careful examination of the lake’s ice conditions a week earlier, including test-drilling a number of holes, a decision was made to go ahead with both events. Participants in those contests found ice a bit thinner than normal for this time of year but it was deemed safe. Slushy, wet conditions also made fishing a tad more difficult but not impossible. However, as an added bonus, the weather was mild, the breeze gentle and temperatures hovered in the 40′s for much of the day.
The Walleye Challenge Contest all came together essentially without a hitch, thanks to the efforts of Lou and Nancy Stutzke, Terry Sweierzowski and the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, Beaver and Maria Ross, Lanzi’s on the Lake, and many others who volunteered and worked on behalf of the event.
By day’s end, some 174 walleyes had been brought to the weigh station though it’s safe to say many more were caught but released without being entered for prize consideration. It’s also difficult to say just how many of the 1,500 registered anglers actually fished in the event but a good estimate would be somewhere around 1,000, perhaps a bit more. The mild weather made it a near-perfect day for ice fishing. Wooden ice fishing shanties were not plentiful out on the lake though some groups of anglers were using portable shelters.
The largest walleye of the day was a five-pounder caught during the second hour of the contest by John Breault of Warrensburg. A number of walleyes in the 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 pound range were also brought in during the event.
Hourly winners were as follows: Hour 1 – Andy DelliVeneri, Amsterdam; Tom Messak, Amsterdam; Butch Hibbard, Canandaigua; and Joel Rodriguez, Broadalbin. Hour 2 – John Breault, Warrensburg; Joshua Gebe, Middleburg; William Bulger, Johnstown; and Clifford Douglass, Canajoharie. Hour 3 – Chuck Mault, Gloversville; William George, Gloversville; Scott Reichel, Amsterdam; and Chris Gill, Edinburg. Hour 4 – Jim Ricciardi, Broadalbin; Dan Jenkins, Corinth; Chris Schuttig, Amsterdam; and David Earley, Broadalbin. Hour 5 – Frank Young, Gloversville; Earl Warner, Hope; Jeff Hanna, Broadabin; and Frank Alvarez, Ft. Hunter. Hour 6 – Lou Ritz, Mayfield; Pete Chupka, Mayfield; Jeff Holt, Ft. Johnson; and Mark Muller, Gloversville. Hour 7 – Chad Crandall, Gloversville; Dan Sawyer, Broadabin; Danielle Skellie, Gloversville; and Kenyon Otto, Northville. Hour 8 – Lou Ritz, Mayfield; John Mantica, Glenville; Zeak Yorks, Mayfield; and Anthony Lanzi, Gloversville.
Door prize winners throughout the day included: Charles Scharf, Lyn Dumar, Rick Reynolds, Eric Waffle, Chris Monohan, David Briot, Chris Ropetski, Mike Cooper, Debra Jablonski, Mike McElroy, Mike Anderson, Evie Leech, Aaron Grecynski, Dillan Tinkowski, David Leary, Todd Geerholt, Matt Doherty, Julia Yates, Kevin Florian, Ben Rogers, Landon Conyne; Joe Hennessey, Timmy Quinn, Melissa VanAlstyne, Angela Evans, Matt Long, Deana Schuttig, Tony Natale, Colby Kaczor, Joe Kilinski, Jim Nicosia, Jim Manzer, Tom Harrington, John Schulz, Matt Adamsd, Scott Ashley, Micky Sweet, Bruce Hall, Nate Hart, William Belknap and Jason Barnes.
Tim Rossi of Buskirk won a snowmobile in the event’s final drawing and Scott Petrie of Johnstown and John Hladik of Johnstown each won 4-wheelers.
This contest was headquartered at Lanzi’s on the Lake, with another weigh station located at the State Launch in N. Broadalbin. According to information provided by Terry Swierzowski, President and Director of Tourism & Communication for the Fulton County Chamber, participants in this event came from eight states as well as 38 counties here in New York State. It’s also interesting to note that a portion of the proceeds from this event were being donated to the GSLFF for walleye stocking in Great Sacandaga, representing the first time in a number of years that any walleyes have been stocked in the lake.
GSLFF RESULTS
The annual contest conducted by the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation was also held that day, with the headquarters/measuring station located at the Sacandaga Boating Club. A total of 285 anglers participated in this event, including 263 adults and 22 youngsters. Since this event was being run concurrently with the Walleye Challenge, prizes were distributed only in the yellow perch, trout and northern pike divisions.
Winning entries in the northern pike division of this contest were: 1. Joshua Boles, Gloversville, 36 3/4 inches; 2. Tom Douglas, Milton, 36 1/2 inches; and, 3. George Dempsey, Niskayuna, 35 7/8 inches. Jon Wilcox of Wells, took first and send places in the trout division with 18 1/8 inch and 16 1/4 inch entries, followed by the third place winner, Les Kruger of Amsterdam with a 16 1/8 incher. The perch division ended in a three-way tie with Ira Cromling of Broadalbin, Dan Mussen of Broadalbin and Jacob Elrod of Hagaman each bringing in identical 13 1/4 inch entries.
GSLFF committee members assisting at and with the contest included: Randy Gardinier, Jack Smith, Rich Miczek, John Fura, John Wszolek, Gus Muller, Rich Kedik and Brian Kedic.
The remaining Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation fishing contests for 2012 include the May 5 Spring Fishing Contest, the June 16 Summer Fishing Contest and the September 8 Fall Fishing Contest.