Finger Lakes Council meeting Feb 4 minutes

Minutes of February 4, 2011

Meeting called to order by President Gary Chave.

Present: Glen Adams (Genesee Co), Robert Mcllwaine (Livingston Co.), Gary Chave (Seneca Co.), Dennis Race (Yates Co.), Frank J Shutter (Ontario Co.), Mike Elam (Orleans Co.). Mike Wasilco NYSDEC.

Ontario County is working to become more active and trying to get more sportsmen’s clubs involved in federation
Dues Paid by the following:
1 Ontario Co., 2 Steuben Co., 3 Monroe Co., 4. Livingston Co., 5 Wayne Co., 6 Orleans Co.

Total collected $210.00.

Motion to approve the November minutes as distributed, made by Dennis Race, second by Frank Shutter. Motion carried.

Correspondences: NYSCC Grass Roots News.

Treasures Report by Robert Mcllwaine

Bob brought up the fact that in order to set up a new checking account the FLCC needs a Tax number. If we were to form an LLC it would be costly. Gary believes that John Andrew had the account set up in his name. Bob is concerned that if something occurred the group would not be able to get to its funds. Dennis volunteered to open an account for the FLCC.

Bob Mcllwaine resigned to facilitate the opening of a checking account. All thanked Bob for volunteering and his efforts. Dennis Race is appointed Treasurer by President Gary Chave.
Motion made by Mike Elam and second by Frank Shutter to confirm Dennis Race as Treasurer. Motion carried.

Bob will check with Livingston County Federation about a possible Bus to Albany latter this spring.

NYSCC Legislative meeting is in Albany on Saturday March 12th.
Group had a discussion about Monroe County and possible setting up something to concentrate on Monroe county Assemblymen and Senators. We want to work with MCCC to set up meetings locally with these legislators, and using MCCC people to meet with their reps with us tagging along. This will need more discussion and planning. Gary Chave and Glen Adams will try to get in touch with reps of the MCCC to start the planning.
Yates County has an active 4h group shooting group and the Yates County Federation is supporting it. National Shooting Sports Foundation will also be helping with funding. Question came up about the firearms that the ENCON officers confiscate. What happens to them are the available for purchase? Some believe they may be auctioned off. Currently also has National Archery in schools.

DEC Report by Mike Walisco: 10 year pheasant Plan. Pheasant Focus area is in south western area of Wildlife management area 8H. This is a last attempt to manage for wild Pheasants. Current research states that if 10% of lane is secured for habitat it is possible to have a wild population of Pheasants. The loss of habitat, open land, agricultural practices, and predators has taken a toll on the wild pheasant population. When the Pheasants were in their prime 80% of our land was open and tilled. Today 80% of our lands are not forested.
DEC has identified two items; first is to Identify Existing conservation program lands within the focus area, such as CRP. Second is to technician to work on the project. This Item is in the works. The Focus area consists of 148,000 acres mostly in Livingston County, but also in the Southwestern edge of Genesee County. The State DEC is collaborating and getting funds for this research from the National Fish and Wildlife Service.. This will be paying for a biologist. The DEC is also trying to find enough land owners to participate in this project and Identifying wild bird population.
If you see a tagged bear DEC wants to know as soon as possible. And if you know where a den exists outside of Steuben County they would like to know about its location. New York Bear harvest was 60% less than last year. Bears were going into their dens before Bear Season ended this season. If you have information, call the Region wildlife office at 585-2226-5380.

Deer damage tags only amount to between 2 and 5% of the total season harvest. The Deer damage report rate is 93% averaging 3 deer per farm requesting the Deer damage permit, whereas hunter reporting is at 40%. Deer harvest this season was 3% above last year and reports that the deer taken are very healthy. Hunters reporting, of their deer taken has dropped from 50% to 40%.

The DEC also wants to hear from us about any Bob Cat or Fisher sightings.

Damage permits by County and kills
County Farms Reported kills County Farms Reported kills

Chemung - 17 15
Genesee 34 71
Livingston 34 99
Monroe 70 320
Ontario 47 112
Orleans 41 104
Schuyler 17 28
Seneca 14 30
Steuben 173 190
 Yates 19 58
Wayne 85 236

Talk was about if there was a way Federations or clubs could possibly step up and transport venison to donation programs so that less of these would be wasted.

We had an intermission as DEC biologists had captured two Short Eared Owls and were having tracking devices attached. We were invited in so see them attaching the tracking devises.

Old Business: Question was asked by Gary Chave if Marc Osypian had been appointed to CFAB yet. Answer is not to date.

Glen Adams asked the question of Mike Wasilco before the meeting if he felt there was a sustainable Dove population in New York to hunt. Mikes answer that he reaffirmed during the meeting is that Doves from NY are being hunted, but not in NY. 400 doves were banded in NY and 4 doves were taken within four days of the banning. One was taken in North Carolina, and three in Pennsylvania. In order for a Dove hunt to take place in NY they would need to be reclassified as game birds. There is no reason not to hunt doves in NY biologically. They are managed on federal level. Mike Wasilco stated that although you only see three or four at a time usually these are a changing regularly. It would take scouting to find a flock as they generally do not flock up like Black Birds. Survey of doves a year ago did not find an overwhelming response of hunters wanting a season. The banding of doves started two years ago for New York

Resident Goose population is a problem and has resulted in agricultural damage. After May 1 damage permit would allow the shooting of 5 per day. Permits can be granted for Agricultural damage or public health

The National Wildlife 15 year plan has been finalized for the Iroquois refuge. Plan deals with public access. Originally the refuge proposed closing the spring Turkey hunt. The plan input has resulted in maintaining the spring Turkey hunt as well as adding a fall Hunt.

Montezuma is working on a 15 year plan now and our group and others need to put pressure onto them to open up to additional types of hunting. Currently there is only Waterfowl and Deer hunting on the refuge. We need to have the refuge be as consistent with the State as possible. 40% of refuge is open for migratory bird hunts.

Draft of NYS budget may expend a little more of the CF.
It was suggested NYSCC support of Seneca white deer needs to be in its policy.

Federation news:

Orleans Co.- St Mary’s Game Dinner Feb 19th. Orleans County is again putting an advertisement into the NYSCC grass roots news.

Ontario Co. Next federation meeting Feb 21 at the South Bristol Fish and Game Club.

Motion made by Mike Elam and second by Dennis Race to put add in NYSCC for 6 months (every other month) cost of $150. Motion carried. Add need to be updated to include Chemung and Ontario counties.

Genesee Co- Oatka Fish and Game Club and the Genesee Conservation Foundation held a youth Squirrel hunt that was a success. Genesee Fish and Game Protective Association at Godfrey’s pond is looking at hosting a National Hunting and fishing day event this fall.

Livingston Co. Is working on next year’s National Hunting and Fishing day event, they are looking to increase educational displays, and less flea market. This event has been successfully hosted by Livingston County Federation for 39 years.


Yates Co- is working with the 4 H shooting program and trying to get youth involved. Yates County is also working on their youth Fishing Derby for next year. Yates county SCOPE has a raffle.


Seneca Co. Banquet is the 3rd week in April at the Waterloo Sportsmen’s club. Seneca County is planning a Fishing Derby. Waterloo club has a raffle going on.

Schedule of Meetings:

May 6th at 6:00 Pm Region 8 Headquarters East Avon.
August 5th at 6:00 PM Picnic meeting at Yates County.
November 4th at 6:00 Pm Region 8 Headquarters East Avon
Motion to Adjourn by Mike Elam all second and meeting was adjourned.

Sincerely,

Glen Adams
14 Washington St,
Le Roy, NY 14482
585-768-6278
e-mail madams8@rochester.rr.com