Hunters welcome breeding season

Deer will typically be more active, with bucks appearing in broad daylight seeking does.

This is the weekend that many deer hunters have been waiting for –- the peak of the rut or breeding season. Deer will typically be more active with bucks appearing in broad daylight while they are actively seeking or following does. However, that does not mean that bucks will abandon all caution and wander carelessly underneath your tree stand. In fact it is possible that many hunters will see less deer, depending on the timing and activity in their area.

Does come into estrus approximately every 28 days and a majority of them come into heat about this time every year. Bucks will be actively seeking receptive does. The timing of the rut has nothing to do with temperatures. It is determined by hormonal changes caused by decreasing amounts of sunlight reaching the eye of the buck. It typically occurs within five or six days of the same time every year, usually the first week of November. However, the exact timing of the rut may be tweaked by a full moon, or the movement of the deer affected by weather.

During the so-called “seeking” or “chasing” phase when the does are just starting to come into estrus, bucks will be travelling widely. This is when hunters are more likely to see them during daylight hours. Typically most of the breeding activity will occur at night.

At the peak of the rut hunters may actually see less deer than normal. This is because when a buck finds a receptive doe he will stay with her for a day or two. If the doe remains bedded in heavy cover during the day, the buck will be bedded nearby. Especially in warm days, the deer are less likely to move so the hunter’s chance of seeing a buck may actually decease. It is also very possible that the buck you have been scouting and watching may be miles away on his travels during the rut.

When bucks are searching for does or following a scent trail, the hunter’s chances of seeing one are better. Hunters naturally are hoping that the bucks will be preoccupied and lose some of their natural caution. A key for hunters will be finding where the does are since that is where the bucks will be at this time.

This activity mainly benefits bowhunters in the Southern Zone since it is often open territory and there is a greater den-

sity of deer. The northern zone firearm season does not have as much of an advantage since there is more heavy cover, and deer are more spread out. Hunters in the north will have far less chance of seeing a buck wandering in search of a receptive doe.

But it is a time of greater deer activity and usually better odds of seeing a buck. Hunt the area where the does are usually found and put out your deer scents using an old pill bottle and cotton balls. It is usually a waste of time to hunt over scrapes at this time since when bucks are on the move they are not visiting their scrapes. The important thing is to be out there and hopefully take advantage of deer movement. Good luck and let us know of any unusual stories or big deer.

Gary Lee Receives M. Paul Keesler Award

At the annual conference of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association, held recently in Lake George, NY, several special awards were presented. The M. Paul Keesler Award was named in honor of one of NYSOWA’s most beloved members and is given statewide to someone who has carried on the tradition of Paul Keesler in publicizing New York State’s great outdoor resources. This year’s recipient is Gary Lee of Inlet, NY. Gary is well known throughout much of central and northern New York, and many people in this area are familiar with him and his efforts.

The M. Paul Keesler Outdoor Citizen Award is given annually by the NYSOWA to someone who has publicized outdoor issues or has made people aware of New York State’s natural resources. Gary Lee has spent a lifetime doing both of these important tasks. As a NYS Forest Ranger, an outdoor writer, a volunteer, and an advocate he has become widely known and respected throughout much of upstate New York, especially the Adirondack region.

As a Forest Range he went out of his way to let people know of the potential recreation from fishing, hiking, camping, and hunting to the opportunities to see rare flowers or birds. He spent most of his career in charge of the Moose River Plains.

As a widely known and respected writer he has publicized the wealth of recreation opportunities throughout the Adirondacks. One example of how widely known and popular his articles are is a story in Adirondack Outdoors that he wrote on ice fishing for splake that caused several anglers to drive 75 miles to try the fishing at Limekiln Lake. His articles in Adirondack Outdoors and other publications have informed people of everything from moose sightings to trapping or fishing opportunities that they may not have known about.

He has written an authoritative book on Adirondack birding and several times a year he volunteers and guides people on birding or wild flower hikes. Gary writes a weekly column for The Weekly Adirondack that covers everything from wild orchids to moose. He has continually made his readers aware of the serious issues such as invasive species, climate change, threats to wildlife, or efforts by some groups to restrict access to areas of the Adirondacks.

He also frequently conducts seminars or gives presentations on all of these issues, especially education about loons. He is a regular volunteer all summer for the Adirondack Center For Loon Conservation. These duties include building nesting platforms, monitoring nest results, educating people to not disturb the loons nesting or the young chicks, banding birds, and countless rescues of loons caught in discarded fishing line.

Gary has never been afraid to speak out on important issues. He has led the efforts to prevent the environmental extremists from restricting access to many areas of the Adirondacks. His presence as public hearings, writing in his media outlets, and his extensive network of contacts have helped make people aware of these threats and as a result several important victories have been won. The Moose River Plains remains a wild forest with unique network of dirt roads for access instead of the restricted Wilderness area that the environmental extremist organizations lobbied for.

His dedication, vision, and tireless effort epitomize the spirit of Paul Keesler. Gary Lee is most deserving of this prestigious award.

SHORT CASTS

VNSP Events: Vernon National Shooting Preserve wants to remind interested parties that the next Three Bird Shoot will be Sunday, November 5. There will be Tower Shoot II on Saturday, November 11. There are a few stations left so sign up a. s. a.p.

All ranges and fields will be closed on the opening weekend of Southern Zone deer season, November 18 and 19. They are booking pheasant hunts every day of the week so call make your arrangements. For additional information or reservations call 315796- 4587.

Vote NO For Convention

Sportsmen and others who care about the Adirondacks are urging New York’s voters to vote NO on the question of a constitutional convention on the November 3 ballot. Despite some disgust with Albany politics, a constitutional convention would not change that. The same people are very likely to be chosen as the delegates. In addition to the danger to education, pensions, and other issues, these people are prone to removing many of the constitutional protections for the Adirondacks, such as the “Forever Wild” clause. Those who love the Adirondacks are concerned and want people to vote NO on this proposition.

Deer Hides Wanted:

This weekend and the following two weeks should be a busy time with a lot of deer harvested locally. For the deer hunters who have been successful and are wondering what to do with the hide, Jim Ward of Oneida Trap Supply is again buying hides. Call Jim at 3632913 for information and hours.