There has been a lot of confusion about when and where you can transport baitfish in New York.
The current baitfish regulations contain prohibitions on the overland motorized transport of baitfish, including personally collected baitfish and baitfish collected for commercial sale.
The rule was established in 2007 after an outbreak of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a disease that can cause internal bleeding and death in certain fish, in the Great Lakes and several other waters in 2005 and 2006. Though VHS was the primary concern, other serious fish pathogens also were addressed when the rule was established.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation currently is developing a proposed revision to the regulations that would allow baitfish to be transported overland within defined “transportation corridors” for use within the same water body from which they were collected.
Since the regulation was established, anglers have complained that the overland transport restriction impedes their ability to use personally collected baitfish on the same body of water.
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The examination for those seeking an apprentice license to practice the sport of falconry in New York has been scheduled for April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at DEC Regional offices across the state. The deadline for registering to take the exam is April 1.
To qualify for the DEC Apprentice Falconry license, applicants must be at least 14 years of age, possess a valid New York small-game hunting license and maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing the raptors.
More information about the falconry license can be found on the DEC website. To apply for the falconry exam, contact the Special Licenses Unit by calling (518) 402-8985.
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The Ruffed Grouse Society’s (RGS) National Fundraiser Drawing takes place June 30. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, and purchasers will have an opportunity to win one of three high-end shotguns. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitats.
The first prize is a one-of-kind Remington Model 1100 F-Grade 28 Gauge semi-automatic shotgun with a retail value is $9,000. Second prize is a Caesar Guerini RGS 50th Commemorative APEX grade over and under 28-gauge with a retail value of $7,850. Third prize is a Kimber Valier Grade II; 20 gauge side by side with a retail value of $5,000.
Tickets for this unique drawing are $100 and available at all RGS events, by calling (888) 564-6747 or by e-mailing rgs@ruffedgrousesociety.org.
