Improvements made to your club

New ceiling fans and light kits have been installed, and new insulation rolled into the attic. These improvements, combined with the addition of an efficient wood burning stove last year have created cost-effective ambiance at Kuneytown- heating bills are way lower and the club has a nice feel. Here's a few snapshots- come and check it out!

Photos courtesy of Charlie Stuck.

DEC ADOPTS TEN-YEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RING-NECKED PHEASANT

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the adoption of a new plan to guide DEC’s management actions for wild and state-propagated ring-necked pheasants for the next decade. The document revises DEC’s 1999 version of “A Ten-Year Management Plan for Ring-necked Pheasants in New York.”

“This plan incorporates the extensive information gathered by DEC biologists and input provided by sportsmen and other partners to provide a comprehensive assessment of pheasant management in New York,” Commissioner Grannis said. “We look forward to fostering and continuing the tradition of pheasant hunting opportunities in our state for many years to come.”

New York’s wild pheasant population has declined by more than 90 percent since the peaks seen in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Numerous factors contributed to the decline, with the main causes being the loss of fallow grasslands for nesting and brood-rearing, a decline in grain farming and expanding commercial and residential development. Most of the pheasants hunted in New York come from DEC’s pheasant propagation programs. Each year, more than 100,000 pheasants are hatched for fall stocking and cooperative rearing and release programs that provide recreational hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages and abilities.

The plan announced today provides an action plan for guiding management and use of pheasants for the coming decade. It was developed by a team of DEC biologists and technicians following a review of the current pheasant management plan and programs, looking at how other states manage the birds, and talking to sportsmen and other pheasant program partners and cooperators. The pheasant plan revision process included a two-month public comment period that ended in November 2009.

Management activities directed by the final plan include:

Establishing a focus area in western New York to concentrate efforts for wild pheasant management by DEC and other interested organizations. The focus area would utilize available resources and help determine if increasing wild pheasant populations is possible under current biological, social, and fiscal conditions.

Extending pheasant hunting seasons in most areas of the state to provide greater hunting opportunities.
Reducing the size of the cock-only hunting area in western New York to reflect changing habitat and land use.
Discontinuing the Young Pheasant Release Program (YPRP) after 2010, while continuing the Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program.
Increasing adult pheasant production from 25,000 to 30,000 birds annually beginning in 2011.
Discontinuing the supply of adult birds for field trials.
Establishing one or more pheasant hunting areas for people with disabilities.

The pheasant management plan and additional information about pheasants in New York can be found on the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7071.html. If you do not have access to the internet, please call (607) 273-3763 to request a copy of the plan. DEC appreciates the input provided by pheasant hunters and others during development of the new plan.

Flashback- K-Town Pig roast a few years back...

WOOD PARTY

Thanks to all the members that gave up their Sunday to cut wood at the club. We had a great day. We should have enough wood for the next two winters. Great job everybody. Dont forget next weekend is "insulate the attic" Sunday at 10am. Hope to see some more members there to help out.

Again, thanks to everybody that worked this weekend.

See you at the Club,

Eric

Reminders

1. Kuneytown Monthly Meetings are the first Thursday of every month. Your attendance is welcome and needed!

2. The Club is OPEN on Friday nights! Come check out the improvements being made at your club!

3. There are still tickets available for the 20 Week club... see Howie for more details.

New Years Eve Party photos 2009-10

Steer Clear of the Fruit...

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY !!

6:00 PM

Bring a dish to pass.

Kids are welcome.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Game Dinner a Smashing Success- Fall Raffle Winners Announced

The Kuneytown Game Dinner was a huge success thanks to the generosity of all of the many friends of Kuneytown, and the hard work of the members. Thanks and congratulation s all around! By all accounts, the food was spectacular,and the raffles were a big hit.

The winners of the raffles were:

$500 Bass Pro Shops Gift Certificate- Eric Schumacher
Buck Knife- Bob Fiscus
Gun case-Carl Poorman
Headlamp- Matt Schumacher
Hand Warmers- Rob Bevier

Many thanks to all involved, and we hope to see you at the club.

Bucks, Bucks, and more Bucks... deer report v.1

The Duck Season that Wasn't

Duck Season was non existent this year. Too warm I guess. No birds in the area. Nick and I ended the season today with 1 mallard. Check out this odd colored hen I shot earlier this week. Maybe a cross with a Gadwall?

See You at the Club Eric

2009 DEER SEASON

Just a quick deer season update. So far the buck pool has some great entries tough pool this year. I believe Dennis is still leading. A few pics of the deer Dave and I were lucky enough to get. Lets see some pics from all of you that entered bucks.

Deer and Bear Regs for 2009

DEC ANNOUNCES NOV. 21 OPENING OF SOUTHERN ZONE REGULAR
DEER HUNTING AND CATSKILL BEAR HUNTING

Allegany Regular Bear Season Also Starting Soon

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that the 2009 regular deer hunting season opens at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 21, in New York’s Southern Zone. Regular bear hunting season in the southeastern portion of the Southern Bear Range also begins on Nov. 21, while regular bear season in the central-western portion of the Southern Bear Range begins Nov. 28.

These big game hunting seasons close at sunset on Sunday, Dec. 13. See the 2009-10 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28602.html for a map illustrating the specific boundaries and season dates for the Southern Bear Range.

“New York’s deer and bear populations are great resources for the state, and hunting is an important part of New York's outdoor heritage,” said Commissioner Grannis. “This fall marks the second year of the Junior Hunter Mentoring Program, and I encourage all adult hunters to participate by sharing their experience, outdoor skills and passion for wildlife with a young hunter.”

Late Archery and Muzzleloading seasons for deer and bear in the Southern Zone open at sunrise on Dec. 14 and close at sunset on Dec. 22. Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges. During the late special seasons, hunters may use either of their bowhunting and muzzleloading tags, and may also take a deer with an unused regular season deer tag. Unused Deer Management Permits (DMPs) may also be used in the late seasons for antlerless deer in the unit for which they were issued.

In the Northern Zone, the regular deer and bear hunting season opened Oct. 24 and will close Dec. 6. This zone generally includes the Adirondacks, the Tug Hill Plateau, the Eastern Lake Ontario Plain and the Champlain and St. Lawrence Valleys. A late muzzleloading season for deer will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 7 to Dec. 13.

Hunters should be aware of several important programs and recent changes as they prepare for the 2009 regular hunting season.
• Some Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries have changed. It is important that hunters review the new WMU boundaries since Deer Management Permits (DMPs, or doe tags) are only valid in the unit for which they were issued. The boundary changes also affect some season dates and bag limits and open areas for other game species. Check www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8302.html for boundary descriptions and revisions.

• DMPs can be transferred from one hunter to another, but a recently adopted regulation prohibits the buying and selling of DMPs between hunters. See www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/56325.html

• Junior Hunters (14 and 15 years old) can hunt deer and bear with a firearm when appropriately accompanied by an adult. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/46245.html for program requirements and to download the Mentored Youth Hunter and Trapper Permission Form.

• New areas in central and western New York were opened for black bear hunting in 2008. The expansion was a continuation of efforts to manage bear population growth and range expansion. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28602.html for a map of the areas opening to bear hunting.

• Reporting harvested deer or bear is mandatory. Successful hunters may report via our online reporting system ( www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html) or call the toll-free automated reporting system at 1-866-GAME-RPT (1-866-426-3778).

• Rifles may be used for big game hunting in Madison County, and new for this year, rifles may also be used in Schuyler County.

• Successful bear hunters are asked to submit a tooth of their bear to assist DEC with monitoring the bear population. See www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/45598.html for instructions.

• Mandatory testing of all deer taken in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Containment Area will occur again this fall, as well as random testing in other counties throughout New York State. Additionally, there are restrictions on hunters bringing deer, elk or moose carcasses into New York from some other states and Canadian provinces. Specific guidelines regarding CWD can be found in the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html. Since discovery of CWD in two free ranging deer in Oneida County in 2005, no additional cases have been detected despite testing over 6,500 deer in the CWD Containment Area and almost 27,000 samples statewide.

Hunters are encouraged to pay careful attention to basic firearm safety rules that can prevent hunting related shooting incidents:

- Point your gun in a safe direction.
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- Be sure of your target and beyond.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Remember to wear Hunter Orange.

Although safety-conscious hunters have significantly reduced the number of firearms-related injuries, studies show that individuals wearing hunter orange clothing are seven times less likely to be injured than hunters who do not wear the bright fluorescent color. During big game hunting season, people who wear hunter orange are 16 times less likely to be the victim of a visibility-related mishap, and 23 times less likely to be killed in such an incident. For more hunting tips, visit the DEC webpage "Hunting Safety” at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9186.html.

To subscribe to New York Big Game, DEC’s email outlet for information on black bear and white-tailed deer in the state, visit http://lists.dec.state.ny.us/mailman/listinfo/nybiggame .
Subscribers to this email list will periodically receive information from DEC about bear and deer biology, management, research, regulations and hunting.

For specific descriptions of regulations and open areas, hunters should refer to the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. The guide is published annually and is available free of charge from all DEC regional wildlife offices, all license issuing agents and on the DEC website. Hunters are urged to review all regulations and safety tips contained in the guide.

Whispering Pines Supports K-towns Kids Hunting Efforts

Charlie helped us have a great hunt to celebrate Veteran's Day again this year at Whispering Pines Hideaway Shooting Preserve. The pictures tell the story.

Yankees are in

Fall Turkey Shoot

The turkey shoot was this past weekend. We had a great time despite the low attendance. Where was everybody? The running deer target was a huge success. It worked great and was a lot of fun to shoot. If you missed it, I highly recommend trying it next year. The kids shoot was fun, too. Everyone shot well and won some nice prizes: 1st place Eric Stuck$25 Bass Proshops gift card; 2nd Danielle Riegel turkey; 3rd Teddy Stuck $15 Bass Proshops gift card; and lots of .22 cal shells were won by most shooters. Sorry no photos-- forgot the camera.

Hope to see you at the next shoot.

Eric

YOUTH PHEASANT HUNT

Kuneytowns first annual youth pheasant hunt was a huge success. A big thanks to John Presnar for pulling it together,whispering pines and Pete Carol for donating the birds and Keith Tidball for allowing us to hold it at the Canoga Creek Conservancy. The kids had a great time, everyone got in some shooting and shot well. The dogs worked great and flushed all but two birds and the kids were succesful in taking some birds. Thanks to all the kids and parents for participating hope to see you next year.

Bounties of Autumn- a Time to be Thankful

Preparations have begun for the Thanksgiving feast to be enjoyed in only a few more weeks. Between now and then, much will be harvested. But, we at the Tidball ranch have much to be thankful for already.

We especially want to thank our friends at Kuneytown who have generously helped us through Moira's injury. Your generous gifts have been such an inspiration and blessing to us. Many thanks.

In the spirit of gratitude, I enjoyed a fall weekend excursion hunting squirrels with my daughters. The mast production this year is producing some fat squirrels!

We also got lucky and scored a delicious wild mushroom (shelf fungus actually) called a Chicken of the Woods.