By Bill Hilts Jr.
Empire State waterfowlers still have some goose hunting options in late winter and into early spring. Traditional snow goose season is open through March 10 in the Western Zone (opening in early February); from Feb. 24 through March 10 in the Northeastern Zone; March 1-10 in the Southeastern Zone; and through March 10 in the Long Island Zone. Daily limit is 15 birds per person per day with no possession limit.
In addition, thanks to a population explosion of these birds in the Atlantic Flyway, a special snow goose harvest opportunity is available for the second year in a row from March 11 through April 15. Shooting hours and bag limits are the same, but electronic calls may be used along with unplugged shotguns.
The first year of the program saw 1,450 hunters participate, harvesting 7,700 birds in at least 20 counties. This was over and above the regular season harvest of 6,800 snows. Hunting snow geese can be very challenging. For hunting tips, download a brochure on “Successful Hunting Tactics for Greater Snow Geese” from http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/sngohunting.pdf.
In addition to chasing light geese, Canada goose hunting will be reopening in the South Area of the state — Western New York and the Southern Tier, from Lake Erie to the Catskills — for a special late hunting season. This late season extends from March 1-10 with a daily limit of five birds per day. Check out the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Web site at www.dec.ny.gov for further details on these opportunities.
NRAA Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest Saturday
The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding their Roger Tobey Memorial Steelhead contest next Saturday from sunrise to 2 p.m. Get all of your information from www.niagarariveranglers.com.
Sign up in advance or at the Lewiston launch ramp before heading out next Saturday. The awards will follow starting at 3 p.m. at Lewiston Fire Hall No. 1, 145 North 6th St., Lewiston. Prizes will be based on 50 percent of the cash for first, 30 percent for second and 20 percent for third, after expenses. For more information call Paul Jackson at 731-4780.
Trap shooting clinic at North Forest
Want to learn how to shoot trap from one of the best in the business? Nora Ross, the youngest person to ever be inducted into the Trap Shooters Hall of Fame, will be giving her highly educational Nora Ross Trap Shooting Clinic at the North Forest Rod and Gun Club, 6257 Old Niagara Road, Lockport. Set for April 24 and 25, shooters have the option of registering for one or two days. The one-day cost is $200 while the two-day is $300, plus the cost of targets ($15 for one day, $25 for two). Only 10 shooters will be allowed to participate each day.
The first day will see shooters learn a lot of the basics and techniques for singles shooting. The second day will involve doubles shooting. Video taping will be utilized to watch and analyze shooting styles. Each student will shoot approximately eight rounds per day. The will start at 9 a.m. and end between 5 and 6 p.m.
Deposits of $145 for one day and $215 for two days must be received by March 1. If you are serious about learning to shoot trap, this is one instructional lesson you won’t want to miss — worth every penny. For more information, contact Colleen at 439-1464.
Shotgun instructor class in WNY
The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs will be sponsoring a Shotgun Instructor Certification Class on Feb. 27 and 28. The two-day seminar will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Class size is limited to just 10 students so don’t delay in registering. Cost is $150, with a non-refundable $75 deposit per student required prior to the class. Checks should be made out to NCFCC. If you have any questions, contact session coordinator Colleen Gaskill at 716-439-1464.
The first day of the seminar will be held at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, 4487 Lake Ave. (Route 78), Lockport. The second day will be held at the North Forest Rod and Gun Club, 6257 Old Niagara Road, Lockport. Be sure to bring your shotgun (12 or 20 gauge) to the second session with at least 50 rounds of ammunition, ear and eye protection.
Taking this certification class is a great way to get started to help educate the next generation of shooters, especially as it relates to special youth shooting programs like Scholastic Clays or women’s programs that are designed to help new and novice shooters. Register by Monday if possible.
Teen shooting academy set
New York’s only teen shooting academy will be accepting prospective students for its next round of classes, set to begin Feb. 15 at the Mohawk Rifle and Pistol Club in Tonawanda for rifle shooters, and Feb. 22 for pistol shooters. Both male and female shooters between 14 and 20 years of age are welcome to participate in the academy for handgunning. Participants ages 12 to 20 are eligible for rifle instruction, which is designed to follow the National Rifle Association’s Marksmanship Qualification Shooting Program.
Handgun shooting instruction will take place at a cost of $30 per student for the eight-week program. Rifle instruction is also at a cost of $30 per student. Deadline to register for either of the classes is Tuesday. For more information contact Bob Church at 592-7211 or e-mail arcpower@aol.com. Rifle classes are the first and third Monday; handgun classes are the second and fourth Monday, for a total of eight classes each. The academy is in its fifth year of operation.
Federation awards nominations now accepted
The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs is looking for a few good men and women who have been standouts in the conservation community for their annual awards program.
Recognition is a great way to show your appreciation for all their hard work and dedication. Awards are given to individuals for top conservationist of the year, top youth conservationist of the year, top conservation programs, top club of the year and much more.
For more information contact Federation president John Butcher at 433-1014 or e-mail jbutcher@summitprintmail.com. Get those nominations in by Feb. 15!
