Published: October 31, 2009 10:33 pm      

HILTS: Waterfowl opener still brings thrills

As we stood on the dike in the Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area, we could hear ducks whistle overhead and splash into the swamp next to us. Randy Tyrrell of North Tonawanda performed extensive scouting the week before because he was drawn for one of the permits for opening day. So were his nephew, Travis, and John Van Hoff, both of North Tonawanda. I was invited along to participate in the fun, as was Gary Monkelbaan. While we could hear the birds — guessing they were teal from the scouting efforts — we couldn’t see them yet.

Rather than hunt a favorite area for goose in the morning and use the permits in the afternoon for ducks like we have in the past, we opted to stick with the ducks for this opener first thing because of the weather forecast of rain and high winds. Last year, it wasn’t very enjoyable to be in a lay-out blind filled with water in the middle of a muddy field. The weather people couldn’t be more wrong.

As I pulled up my chest waders, the first thing I noticed how warm it was … and the fact that there was no wind. Stars twinkled in the sky above. Where was the severe weather? No changing plans now. Our outlook was still optimistic. Tyrrell predicted limits of ducks by 8 a.m. Van Hoff selected a time of 10 a.m. And thanks to the mild weather, both predictions were way off.

Off in the distant woods, guns sounded off the opening and birds were flying in every direction. Teal, woodies, mallards and pintails all came into range of our shotguns. We ended up with a dozen birds in our bag before the skies cleared and few, if any, birds took to the air. It was time for lunch and we called it a day. Still, all in all, it was a great experience with loads of laughs and lots of fun. Although our female counterparts back home were all wondering what kind of enjoyment anyone could get from standing in a swamp at 6 a.m., getting bitten by mosquitoes and shooting at birds. I guess you could say it’s an acquired taste — like limburger cheese and stout.

Opening day of the Western Zone waterfowl season brought mixed reviews from hunters around the region. Bob Lods of Cheektowaga thought it was the worst opening day that he could ever remember, which was either a very long time ago if he was thinking straight, or just last year based on how well his memory was working for a comparison. While I didn’t make it out with my hunting buddies Sunday, they did manage to have a limit of geese at our “favorite” spot by 10 a.m.

The Western Zone waterfowl season first-half split will remain open through Dec. 6. For Canada goose, the West Central area will remain open through Nov. 21 and then reopen Dec. 26. The South area remains open through Dec. 16, reopens Dec. 26 and also will offer another late season starting March 1. For a complete rundown on waterfowl regulations, check out the DEC Web site at www.dec.ny.gov.

Deer permits available

Leftover Deer Management Unit permits become available today, but only for a select few areas around the state. DMU permits for up for grabs in Wildlife Management Unit areas 9A, 9F, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 3M, 3R, 3S and 1C at license issuing agents only on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters may apply for up to two leftover permits. These aren’t the only areas with leftover permits. In fact, some 21,000 additional permits will be issued to hunters who were previously denied permits earlier this year during the initial licensing process. DEC randomly selected who would receive these additional permits, totaling about 20 percent of those who were originally denied. So if you receive an additional DMU permit in the mail, you’ll know why. And there’s more good news. Even if you receive one of these permits, it still won’t affect any preference points you may have earned.

Whitetails by the moon

It’s that magical time of year when the bucks go bonkers, seeking out females in estrus. And if you are a follower of noted whitetail expert Charlie Alsheimer and his theories involving lunar phases, we are just now coming into the “rut.” According to Alsheimer, in his book “Hunting Whitetails by the Moon,” the rutting moon — the second full moon after the Autumnal equinox — is on the calendar for Nov. 2. As a result, the prime chase period is from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 and the breeding window is from Nov. 9 to 22. You might want to pick up a copy of his book and read what he has to say before you make any decisions on the validity of his claims. Of course, there are other influencing factors like weather, but for the most part, his claims seem to fall in line with what actually happens every year. Next year, the rutting moon is pegged for Oct. 22.

Lewiston launch ramp progress

Work continues on the Lewiston launch ramp at the landing. According to Region 9 Fisheries Manager Paul McKeown, they have poured the concrete for one of two slabs for the launch. When it is cured (which will take roughly a week or so), this slab will be pushed into place — extending about 15 feet beyond the previous launch. Once that is completed, they will pour the final pad above water level. The total project is hoped to be finished in another three weeks. 

In the meantime, starting today, you may notice that water levels will be lower in the river. Nov. 1 is when the New York Power Authority can draw down additional water from the river to generate power. Because the work on the Fort Niagara launch ramps is not completed, you might be better off launching your boat from the Village of Youngstown ramp on Water Street adjacent to Petroy Marina and the Youngstown Yacht Club.

Bill Hilts Jr. is the outdoor sports specialist with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.