By Bill Hilts Jr.
With the unexpected early arrival of winter — including cold temperatures and snow — some of the traditional seasonal activities are already upon us. Skiing is underway in the Southern Tier hills and ice fishing is just around the corner in many of the inland lakes. While the hard water isn’t here yet, it is a time to get ready and prepare for the ice fishing season. And if you’re a novice at this fast-growing sport, there are a couple seminars that you can take advantage of to learn more about hard water fishing.
The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will be hosting the father of modern ice fishing at their next meeting on Dec. 11 (4-H Building, 4487 Lake Avenue, Route 78, Lockport) — cold water angling guru Dave Genz. For over 30 years, Genz has been leading the charge to promote and educate the general public about this winter pastime, a modern ice fishing revolution that has taken the angling community by storm. His goal is to get as many people out ice fishing as possible to take advantage of a unique opportunity when fishermen can have access to pretty much an entire body of water.
“With early ice just around the corner, first ice is usually a continuation of the fall fishing action,” says Genz on his Web site, www.davegenz.com. There’s not a significant change for fish patterns. Stealth is a huge factor when fishing early ice. I’ll stay on the go until I locate fish. Because it is first ice, caution is recommended at all times.
Genz is a wealth of knowledge and if you want to learn more about how to go about getting started or you already have and you have more questions, this is one seminar you won’t want to miss. While the seminar is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., the door will open at 6 p.m. so that you can meet Genz, see his equipment and ask some early questions. Genz will be stopping here as he passes through on the way to the Syracuse Ice Fishing Show to be held at Oncenter Dec. 12-14. It’s also a scheduled seminar as part of the his Team True Blue Tour, sponsored by Clam Corporation. Check it out and become part of the growing legion of ice anglers.
And if the Genz seminar and weekend trade show isn’t enough for you, outdoor writer Joe Montgomery of St. Catharines, Ontario sends word that he will be hosting his 4th Annual Ice Fishing Seminar at the CAW Hall, St. Catharines from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 4. There is a fee involved of $15 for adults; $13 for seniors. Kids under 16 years of age are free with a parent. Montgomery is 84 years young and shares a wealth of knowledge as it relates to ice fishing. They also have about $1,000 in draw prizes up for grabs. It’s worth the trip. For questions, call 905-356-8453.
Regular deer, bear seasons continues to Dec. 7
The regular deer and bear seasons continue through next Sunday for the Northern and Southern zones. After that, Southern Zone archers and muzzleloading enthusiasts will have until the Dec. 16 after that to take big game through their respective game management tools. In the meantime, some more success stories continue to pour in.
Wayne Pollow of Ransomville recently completed what some are calling a New York Grand Slam of outdoor game. Over Thanksgiving, Pollow managed to take a 200 pound black bear from the camp of Youngstown’s Dutch Holland in Whiteville. Last weekend, he took a nice four point buck on Saturday and a doe on Sunday. And just prior to the beginning of the regular deer season, he scored on a nice 16 pound turkey with a nine inch beard. Nice shootin’!
Holland’s camp to date has recorded three bucks and four does, which included a 130 pound six point taken by Russ White of Ransomville and a five pointer by Lee McCollum.
Another Niagara County monster
Sean Blackley of Custom Whitetail Taxidermy (735-7897) out in Middleport/Hartland area sends word that he took in another Niagara County monster into his shop. This deer, which was taken out in the Gasport area by Tom Wagner of Gasport, had 20 legal points, as well as some smaller ones and a broken drop tine. It should have a gross score in the 180s, a non-typical rack with a four by five main frame and huge mass. The deer weighed 202 pounds field dressed.
According to Wagner, he was walking out to a particular area around 8 a.m. last Saturday morning when he heard some deer coming through. Out came a doe followed by this big buck. They all stopped to look at each other in the lane and Wagner took careful aim with his Winchester 1300 — thanks to some new fiber optic sights he had just installed — and recorded a direct hit on the trophy. Right place at the right time with a little bit of luck. How does that saying go? I rather be lucky than good! While it’s the biggest rack he’s even taken, Wagner did shoot a 10-point that weighed in more than 225 pounds a few years ago.
DU Dinner, Western Zone ducks close
A Niagara River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has been formed and their first banquet will be held on Dec. 4 at the River Oaks Golf Course, Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Doors open at 6 p.m.; Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $50 single or $75 per couple. For more information on this inaugural event and the local DU chapter, contact Tigh Savage at 425-7943.
Speaking of ducks, the Western Zone will have their first half season close down on Dec. 7, reopening on Dec. 27. In the meantime, Canada goose season will remain open through Dec. 17th in this South Area. Blind assignments in local state parks during the second half of this goose season will be handled by phone only for Beaver Island, West River Parkway, Motor and Strawberry islands. Call-ins will be taken at 773-2010 between 9 a.m. and noon on the following dates:
Thursday for Dec. 8-9; Dec. 9 for Dec. 10-12; Dec. 11 for Dec. 13-17. All call-in permits must be picked up by 4 p.m. the day prior to the hunt in the park office. A reminder that a boat is required when using these blinds and you must have a waterfowl identification course under your belt. If you have any questions, call 773-3271. For information on Fort Niagara, Joe Davis, Wilson-Tuscarora and Golden Hill, call 745-7273.
Bill Hilts Jr. is a past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.
