Deer Management Permit deadline approaching

Early Archery Season in the Southern Region begins October 1. This is also the application deadline to obtain a Deer Management Permit (DMP). Hunters with a DMP may take one antlerless deer per permit in addition to deer that can be taken with a regular big game tag or other special privilege tags. There is a $10 non-refundable application fee for all applicants except Lifetime Athlete license holders and Junior Hunters and Junior Bow Hunters purchased before September 30, 2009. Any licensed hunter 12 years of age or older can apply for a DMP. To learn more about DMPs, check out: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/6403.html.

Don’t forget that the Youth Elk Hunt will be held October 12-14. Youth hunters ages 12 and 13 are only allowed to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow if the county they intend to hunt has passed a local law allowing them to hunt. Erie County is one of only two counties in upstate New York that has not passed such a local law. Crossbows are also not available during Youth Hunt weekend.

These young hunters must be accompanied at all times by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age or older with at least three years of experience. There are requirements for hunter orange or pink to be worn. No need for a back label this year. Young hunters ages 14 and 15 can hunt black bear as well as deer. Get all the details here: www.dec.ny.gov.

There is a new option for crossbows that may allow you to use an unmodified crossbow from October 1st instead of the November 2nd-15th portion of the early archery season in the South Zone. Search the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov and search for “Request for a Reasonable Accommodation to Use an Unmodified Crossbow During the Regular Bow Season.” Claiming is an option available through the Americans with Disabilities Act. You will need to create a ny.gov sign up for an account with an email address and then fill out the Reasonable Accommodation form. Your doctor will also need to complete a physician certification section to document the need to use a crossbow due to physical limitations.

The form states that 45 days are given for the process, but some people can get their permission within a week.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation will begin accepting trapping permit applications for three Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in DEC’s Region 8 starting Oct. 1.

Permit applications for the Oak Orchard, Tonawanda and John White WMAs are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at 1101 Casey Road in Basom or at (585) 948 This can be done by calling DEC at -. 5182. Permit applications will be accepted until November 30.

The trap seasons of these three WMAs are more restrictive than Western New York’s general seasons. Muskrat and mink hunting on these public lands takes place from December 7 to February. Limited to 15, 2025 and 25 traps in water areas. Beaver trapping dates follow the seasons statewide. Additionally, upland trapping begins Nov. 1 at the John White WMA, while the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda WMAs follow statewide seasons.

Permitted trappers are required to report harvest and trapping efforts in each WMA area for all species. For more information on trapping seasons and regulations, visit: dec.ny.gov.

Two Walleye clubs held competitions on Lake Erie last weekend to help round out the competitive end of the year. However, there are many fishing opportunities that can be taken advantage of if the weather conditions are suitable.

At the Southtowns Walleye Association’s Sept. 21 competition, Capt. Jason Kenyon of West Valley and the Fishkolik Sport Fishing team of Amherst’s Jeff Ebert and North Collins’ Chris Perry set the pace with more than 68 total entries in the 3-fish tournament . 21.36 pounds. This was their first tournament fishing together. The trio fished directly off Dunkirk in 70 to 103 feet of water. .

Second place went to Team Body Count, which included Lancaster’s Craig Rejman and Dutchman Aaron Teijeira. They weighed three fish, which tipped the scales at 20.16 pounds. The duo set out early from Dunkirk, settled in 75 feet of water and headed northeast until they found fish. When they reached 90 feet, the game began. Divers dropping 190 to 220 clicks on the No. 2 setting did well with a mix of worm harnesses, stick baits and spoons. Jointed stick baits worked best on the main core line in colors seven and nine. They caught 20-25 fish in the morning.

Third place went to Blake Casper with a three-fish limit of 18.30 pounds.

At Western NY Walleye’s inaugural tournament held the same day, Randy Jaroszewski of Hamburg and his Icebreaker crew, first using the FishDonkey app, set the pace in a 3-fish contest with 82.25-inch eyes (by length). . Rounding out the team were Dave Salvalzo of Derby and Joe Boone of Washington, Pa. Their strategy was to fish further west, and they chose to venture out of Barcelona for winning catches.

Second place went to Bernie Turner and the Ophthalmologists Team from Lake View with three fish measuring 79.75 inches. The team included Lake View’s Adam Turner, Hamburg’s Rick Kaz and Boston’s Mark Schumer and John Griffin. They fished directly from Cattaraugus Creek near the border, concentrating their efforts in 90 to 100 feet of water where they ran bait 50 to 90 feet down. Most of the team’s big fish came on stickbaits. Divers were 187 to 200 feet back in environment No. 3, and lead core lines were eight and 10 colors.

Third place went to Pole Dancer Sportfishing Team and Captain Tom Miranda from Sunset Bay. Other team members were Gordy Anderson and Kevin Hagen of Grand Island and Mark McMahon of Niagara Falls. The length of the three fish was 79.50 inches.

The team’s strategy was to fish 60 to 70 feet of water east of Dunkirk in 85 to 95 feet of water using a combination of 19-strand wire, two-tone lead core line and 50 feet of leader material. target area by placing it 410 to 460 feet behind the boat. Their hot bait was a white and green 4-inch spoon. The team boated 41 walleye in two days.

At WNY Walleye’s inaugural Big Fish Friday, Ryan Smith and his crew won the contest with a 28.50-inch fish. There were 15 boats in the Friday event and 19 in the main event.

Check out Thursdays Fishing Rhythm for more details.