Category Archives: Education

Announcements, Education, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

DEC answers community questions at the March meeting

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On March 31, two local officers of the DEC attended to explain their responsibilities and answer questions from attendees. It was interesting to learn about their “typical workday”, it turns out there is no such thing since they are responsible to respond to calls at any hour. They are the first responders in the field and explained they call upon the expertise and guidance of the respective DEC divisions such as wetlands, licensing and forest rangers. There were a number of questions on fishing and hunting quotas, sizes and other related topics. In many cases, these guidelines are set by either the state or Federal Government and the role of the DEC is to enforce them. Some good questions were asked about the local problems with phragmites which are prevalent in our local waters. The renewed presence of foxes even came up, they are being seen more in numerous places. We plan to make this an annual event and invite community participation.

Education, Events, Opinion

EHSA partners with town to clean up Maidstone Park

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EHSA and the EH Town Litter Action Committee removed fifteen garbage bags of disgusting litter from throughout Maidstone Park – one of East Hampton’s signature spots. Why it is necessary to educate people that using idyllic public spaces as their personal garbage cans is not cool is beyond us.

Bill O’Leary, George Eldi, Terry O’Riordan
Thumbs down to people who throw litter in the bushes rather than trash barrels. Who does that? We would like to meet them.
Brace Krag – EHSA Director and Waterfowl Chairman
Remember this campaign in the 1970s? It kind of worked…
Education, Events, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

DEC will be with us at the March 31 meeting

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Bring your questions and suggestions as we discuss all topics with these fellow sportsmen.

Discussion will be driven by what Members care/ask about, but count on learning about at least these topics:

– Fishermen/boat captains always have comments on slots and limits and timing of the announcements.  

– How the state run spring turkey sites gone (e.g. Barcelona Neck).  Is that oversight still needed?

– There are areas of state land in Montauk such as Hither Hills that seem like more hunting should be allowed.

– There are areas of EH/MTK that seem in need of prescribed burns to avoid wildfires.  Are downed pine beetle trees a risk?

– Recreational lobstering topics.  

– Any examples of avian flu on waterfowl populations observed?

– Any chance of an increased bag limit on Canada geese?  Tons of them around.

– Any special insights on lack of ducks?

– Any examples anywhere of successful anti litter campaigns or enforcement?

– Non resident, comercial-looking, fishing/shellfishing in our waters.  What’s up with that?  

– Upstate, the duck and goose seasons are short and too early.  Tons of geese everywhere.   Does complaining/suggesting to DEC help in maybe making changes?

Please arrive early or on time, as we expect a big turnout and have a lot to cover. 

Education, Events, Hunting, Opinion

The annual LI Youth Hunters Ed Program is incredibly good.

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DEC’s Hunter Education Program is offering a free two-day hands-on youth hunting safety course on April 12 and 13.  It is held from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on both days at the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club in Manorville.

Participants will be taught and supervised by a plethora of certified Hunter Education Instructors, including professional trainers, state game wardens, and senior Peconic River Sportsmen’s Club members.   This heavily resourced NY state program is leaps and bounds more valuable and meaningful than any online or local option.  Get  sense for it here.

Open to ages 12 to 16 who have not yet already completed Hunters Ed.  The class is limited to 30 participants.

Applications must be returned by March 24, 2025, 

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive their Hunter Education Training Certificate.  This certificate is required to purchase a hunting license, and is valid for life and in all states.

 Part of the “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2025/2/dec-announces-youth-conservation-program-dates
Education, Hunting, Nostalgia, Wildlife

January 2025 Waterfowl Report

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As I reflect on the successes and challenges of the waterfowl season on the east end, one word comes to mind: Ice.

The pictures below capture the essence of our second half of the season quite well. The good news is highly localized birds, the bad news is lots of frozen real estate. If you have blinds pretty much anywhere, you can relate. The winners this month are the boat blind hunters. Sneakboxes remain my favorite for adaptability and invisibility. This year, boat hunting is a critical success factor since finding unfrozen launch ramps can usually be achieved. 

There is always open water somewhere, the question is, where? Three Mile Harbor and the main part of East Harbor/Accabonac by Louse Point remain accessible for launching via the Hands Creek ramp and Louse Point put-in (I call it that because it’s really more a hard packed  beach).

The ducks reported and actually seen by locals in-the-know and blind mounted trail cameras are the usual suspects: Black Ducks, Mallards, Widgeon, Screwdrivers (mergansers- called that due to their profile), Bufflehead and Broadbill. Sea ducks are around, but not what I’d call abundant: Long-tailed ducks, Scoter and Eider all on the big water.  In general, everyone with an opinion (which is 100% of waterfowlers) says that ducks are down and geese are strong, but localized. Avian influenza seems to be one theory, but it’s always multi-factorial. 

I spend an inordinate amount of time scouting, but the job got a bit easier via camera. I check Hamptons live cameras constantly, as well as the feed from my  Moultrie trail cameras. I’d like to see more public wildlife/waterfowl live cameras installed in East Hampton, but like everything, it’s a matter of money.

The high point of my season, besides building blinds, was our ESHA December goose hunt in Watermill with Duane Arnister, master guide.
If you haven’t hunted over “stuffers” (actual taxidermy geese), try it with him. It’s an experience that few will ever have. Over the last several decades, at roughly the rate of a dozen a season, he has built and preserved a colossal flock of stuffed birds which are lovingly managed and cared for like the waterfowl heirlooms that they are. I felt like I was a character from Eugene Connett’s epic waterfowling book, “Gunning the Atlantic Flyway.” Pick up a copy if you haven’t read it, it’s my waterfowling bible.

 
Feel free to share your stories, success and perspectives. This is just one obsessed man’s opinion.  The truth lies somewhere in the consensus, and I always want to learn and be held accountable.

Until next time, Happy Waterfowling.

 
Brace Krag

Waterfowl Chairman  
East Hampton Sportsmen’s Alliance

Education, Wildlife

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease – EHD

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BASICS

Hemorrhagic disease is a general term for illness caused by TWO DIFFERENT VIRUSES that are related; Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus (EHD) or bluetongue virus (BT).

EHD primarily affects WHITE-TAILED DEER and can cause significant mortality events, particularly in the northern United States. Mule deer and pronghorn antelope are also affected. Neither EHD or BT are a disease of humans.

CLINICAL SIGNS in white-tailed deer usually begin approximately 7 days after infection with the virus. They may have reduced appetite, weakness, and loss of fear of humans. Fever and edema are common and deer with EHD often have a swollen head, neck, tongue, or eyelids.

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