Region 6 – The North Country Counties of St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, plus Oneida, and Herkimer.

Fishing, Hiking, or Hunting on Posted Property

What do “POSTED” signs mean to you? We see them all over, especially when we’re looking for a place to bird watch, fish, hunt, trap, hike, snowmobile, or ride our ATV. To the user the term “POSTED” has come to mean a general prohibition against hunting, fishing, and trespassing on the posted property. To the landowner it may just be a way of keeping irresponsible idiots off his property.

Landowners by definition own land and are responsible for it. They “post” a property, as often as not, to protect themselves against lawsuits. Under NYS General Obligations Law it is not necessary, because unless the landowner charges for access, he or she is not liable if someone is injured while recreating. However, many landowners just want to know who is on their property and if they can be trusted to be responsible. Asking a landowner’s permission to use his property and assuring him of your integrity as an outdoorsman and user of his property will often secure you access. Asking about any hazards or areas to avoid will also reassure the landowner. Inquiring about livestock locations, other people on the property, places not to fish, hike, hunt, or shoot and whether gates should be open or closed is useful, safer, and helpful. Asking if he would like to share in your harvest, if you are fortunate, is also a friendly and thoughtful gesture. You may be able to develop a lasting friendship with the landowner, providing your party with many years of good hiking, hunting and or fishing. Visiting with him in the spring and offering to help eradicate pests such as woodchucks, fix fences, or help “post” the property doesn’t hurt either.

The trouble with posted signs is that often the name and contact information washes off or is otherwise obliterated. This does not change the fact that the area is posted. There is usually someone nearby who can direct you to the owner. Just because the owner does not live within sight of the property you wish to access doesn’t mean you are free to trespass. The owner or his agent may patrol the property looking for those who haven’t asked permission.

If you wish to hunt, fish or trap on a parcel scout your area of interest before the season opens. Ask for permission before the season opens. Advise your host when you will be there, how many there will be (many landowners do not want a gang), find out where to park your vehicles, and how best to access the area of use. Obtain specific permission before:

• Hunting, hiking, trapping, bird watching, or fishing
• Using an ATV or snowmobile
• Building a fire or camping
• Target shooting of any kind
• Leaving anything behind after a visit.

Always leave the area as good as, or better than, you found it. This display of courtesy and respect for the landowner and his property will gain you privileges and respect in return.

A few landowners are aware of the DEC “Ask” program. This program, designed to make life easier for both outdoors people and landowners, has been around for more than a decade.

DEC has printed small black on blue, peel and stick vinyl patches to apply to a “Posted” sign..

Figure 1 - Writer Lynn Jinks, Sr. places the "Ask" sticker

 

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also printed a blue “permission card” that can be signed by the owner giving permission to be on his land. The card is perforated: the guest gets half and the landowner keeps the other half. The materials are free from DEC.

The responsibility is yours: you need permission to access another person’s property. The responsibility for protecting the property belongs to the landowner. If you are allowed to access the property then you share in the responsibility with the landowner. In the long run asking permission and becoming friends with the landowner can have extra benefits. In my case the landowner asked our party to help fill Conservation Department nuisance permits for deer eating his crops. These permits allowed us to spend many lovely summer pre-season days hunting deer. The benefit was that we could keep what we harvested.

When asking permission to hunt someone’s property think of yourself as a salesman. Act as if you are selling yourself, and your companions, because you are. Be sensitive and understanding of the need of the landowner to protect his holdings. This means leaving gates the way they are found and not damaging crops, trees, fences or leaving an avenue for livestock to escape. If you cannot convince a landowner that you will be a courteous and respectful individual or group it may be because someone before you alienated him.

It is interesting to note that to be legally posted a property must have conspicuous signs that are not more than 660 feet apart plus one sign on each side of each corner along the boundaries of their property. The posted signs themselves should be high enough, spaced closely enough to be seen and must have the name and address of the person posting the property. It is the responsibility of the person hunting to know if the property is posted. Not knowing is not an excuse. If land is not legally posted under conservation law there is a penal law that also covers trespass, you could be arrested, prosecuted, fined or jailed.

Failing to make arrangements with the owner beforehand can result in an uncomfortable conversation with state or local law enforcement officers. Because you do not have to be apprehended at the time you are actually trespassing, that challenge may come while you are on the property, or when enforcement people knock on your door at home, based on information (license plate number, your description, number in your party, etc.) provided by the landowner. It is far simpler to do it the easy way.

Be considerate and safe: always ask for permission.

Enjoy the outdoors and show respect for others.

Written by Lynn R. Jinks, Sr.

In New York State posting is covered by section 11-21-11 of the Environmental Conservation Law and section 140 of New York State penal Law.

 

For more information on posting, visit: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/posting.html

Consider this

Wise use of our resources is, perhaps even more important to Zack and those that follow him than it is to us. Give the youngsters a head start in understanding the world around them!

The CANY Mission Statement and the Membership Application are available on this web site. From the Home Page, click on “JOIN US” at he bottom of the page, then click “Go to Application Form”. Complete and print the form, add your check or money order and mail to CANY.

Your Questions and Comments are Welcome

This is the third of a series of articles about regional resources, written about a few items that we hope are of interest or concern to you. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions about the material we write. What topics would you like to see explored? What additional material would you like to see?

Where do fishermen come from?

Researchers like Cornell’s Tommy Brown (Department of Natural Resources) or New York Sea Grant’s Diane Kuehn have studied the details of angler behavior. They have considered the ways that people come to be “outdoor people”. The research consistently shows that folks who take up fishing and hunting start at an early age with help from their family or close relatives. I suspect the same observations apply to many other outdoor activities. I watched part of that process unfold last week.

Zack is a young fellow I met on the dock recently. For most of us who fish or hunt, our start was at an early age and usually guided by interested family members. Zack’s family was there, too.

This is a quick look at a young man starting to learn about the outdoors. These experiences may start him toward a set of interests that can last a lifetime.

Zack’s about four and has all the questions and attention span of a four year old. He is a lucky young guy, not just because he caught a fish, but because he is learning about fishing and getting lots more with help from his family.

This is Zack

Learning about fishing might not sound simple, but I would argue that it can be a great deal more than it seems. The questions Zack asks and the things that he sees while he is “fishing” give his parents a chance to talk about and explain things that might not tweak his attention at home. From time to time the family spends a week on the St. Lawrence River at Docteur’s Cottages, a short distance down river from Cape Vincent, New York.

Based on two my grandsons who are similar in age and recollections of my own boys, Zack seems pretty much like a typical four year old. He’s easily distracted by the other things going on around him, but he has his own fishing pole, complete with hooks, sinker and a bobber. Nearby is a box of worms for bait. But the most important parts of this experience are even closer: Dad, Mom and other family are there to help, explain, show “how” and answer the dozens of question that Zack asks.

Why are you only putting part of the worm on the hook?

Will the worm die? Why will the worm die?

What’s the bobber for?

What’s the sea gull doing? Why?

Where are the ducks?

I’ve got one! . . . he got away. Can you throw it out again?

Remember, Zack, when the bobber goes down, lift the pole up quick and then reel it in. That will keep the fish on the hook.

 

 

Oh, look! There are the ducks!

Zack is trying to put so many things together. What to do. How to do it. Coordinating the eye, hand, and arm muscles to reel in that fish. (Casting is tougher. . . that will come later. Dad will do that for now.) So many things to see and wonder about- - the sea gulls, ducks, cormorants, a large gray heron, bullheads, perch and a curious guy with a camera. All those simple things that we take for granted are new to Zack.

 

 

The day ends, but the experience will stay for a long time.

This is where anglers come from!

Oh, wait! There is more

Because Zack caught his First Fish, he may get a special award from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

With a little more help from Mom or Dad, Zack can send a card to the DEC. DEC will send Zack his award!

The form is available from local DEC offices or you can click here to find a similar form on the web.

 

Where can we fish?

Many times when you want to include some family fishing in your vacation plans it is easier to find good places than when you’re at home. There are other vacationing families to ask and people living in the area have heard the question before and have ready answers.

At home, particularly if home is in the city or suburbs, finding a good nearby fishing hole may be more of a challenge. A good place to start looking for places to fish is with a senior biologist in the local DEC Regional office. Start by telling him a little about the fishing you would like to do.

. . . I’ d like to take my son who is 7 and his grandfather who is in a wheelchair out to fish together; we don’t really care what kind of fish we catch and we don’t have a boat. Where could we go?

Some may have lists or maps that will help to find Fishing Access Sites that meet your needs. All have good memories and may want to talk with others in the office to see what they can come up with for you.

Many counties, villages and cities have locations in their parks or along hiking paths. Check with the local Parks or Recreation Department.

The New York State Department of Transportation may seem an unlikely place to ask about fishing access, but DOT has built nearly 100 access sites; some in almost every county. You can view their map and list on the web at: http://www.dot.state.ny.us./eab/fishmap.html. Then, click the “Location Names” link for a brief description of the site shown on the map.

A parting thought

Wise use of our resources is, perhaps even more important to Zack and those that follow him than it is to us. Give the youngsters a head start in understanding the world around them!

The CANY Mission and the Membership Application are available on this web site. From the Home Page, click on “JOIN US” at he bottom of the page, then click “Go to Application Form”. Complete and print the form, add your check or money order and mail to CANY.

Your Questions and Comments are Welcome

This is the second of a series of articles about regional resources. I have written about a few items that I hope are of interest or concern to you. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions about the material I write. What topics would you like to see explored? What additional material would you like to see?

Written by, Larry Watts

Rich in Resources and Outdoors Opportunities

If you enjoy outdoors activities New York State is the place to be. There are so many opportunities for you to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to start. Let me see if I can help by using a broad brush and suggest how many recreational choices there are in this corner of the world.

Fishing

• Open water fishing for bass, northern pike, walleye, trout, salmon, muskellunge and pan fish;
• Small boat opportunities at dozens of inland lakes;
• Pier and shoreline fishing for trout, bass, northerns, walleye, and pan fish on streams, rivers and lakes throughout the region;
• Numerous fishing and boat access sites; both public and private;
• There are many marinas, bait and tackle shops, staffed with experienced, helpful people.
• Outstanding selection of private and public campgrounds, offering facilities for many different interests.

New York ’s Free Fishing Days – 2004

No fishing license is needed to fish in New York State

on Saturday and Sunday June 26 & 27, 2004

In addition there may be free (no license) Department of Environmental

Conservation sponsored fishing events.

Call your Regional DEC Office for those additional events, dates and details.

Hiking and camping

• Well managed system of parks under the direction of the New York State Division of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, and many more maintained by county and local governments (including areas like Wellesley Island State Park near Alexandria Bay, NY, or Webster Beach Park (Monroe County) east of Rochester, NY);
• Vast tracts of land available to the public for viewing nature in a quiet setting in sparsely developed areas like the Tug Hill Plateau;
• There are several wildlife management areas, including Wilson Hill near Massena, NY and Lake Shore Marshes near Wolcott, NY. Most of the game management areas feature multiple uses that may include hiking, nature observation, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and birding.

Other good outdoor stuff

• Birding;
• Observing fish and wildlife;
• Exploring vastly different geological formations;
• Visit the NYSDEC Cape Vincent Fisheries Research Station, Aquarium and Visitors Center in Cape Vincent, NY;
• Visit the nearby Salmon River Fish Hatchery at Altmar, NY, Oneida, and Rome Hatcheries;
• “Save the River” in Clayton, NY is involved in many valuable projects benefiting the St. Lawrence River ecosystem, including a successful Muskie Catch and Release Award Program;
• Visit power generation facilities near Niagara Falls, NY (New York Power Authority / Niagara Power Project);
• See Seaway and shipping operations at the Eisenhower and Snell Locks near Massena, NY (Lake ships and salt water vessels up to 730 feet long pass within a few yards of your position);
• Many communities sponsor or promote a variety of festivals that celebrate the rich heritage and resources of the region (The Cape Vincent, NY French Festival on July 10-11, 2004 stems from the French heritage of the area, the Oswego, NY Harborfest 2004 in late July is an exciting four day display of entertainment, arts & crafts, special events and good food).

There are nearly 200 parcels of State managed land in the five counties of Region 6, alone. They include thousands of acres of land, many of them bordering or containing important wetlands, and water features. In addition there are 70 State and municipally operated boat launch sites. The choices are yours!

Ecosystem Issues and Concerns

New York State has an abundance of outdoor resources, but they require our attention to preserve and enhance their health and continued well being. Many of the issues and concerns that we recognize in the region persist through out our country. Most are the result of human activity. In some instances, “we” have over harvested fish and game, but far more damage has been done by “our” lack of care and planning for environmental and economic facets of the ecosystem. That would include poor planning and adjustment of human activity, failure to identify weakening of fish and wildlife communities at a early stage, inability to foresee the very complex interaction of habitats, food supplies and long term impacts on our ecosystem.

It is our ecosystem. For better or worse, people are an important part of the ecosystem. We cause damage and we attempt repair. . .

Here are a few items that need attention and repair:

• Reduced fish and wildlife habitat limit the survival and success of many native species;
• Over 160 exotic species have been transported to the Great Lakes system. Most have arrived in ballast water and, as a result of insufficient regulation, more are introduced each year. The disruptive impact on native species is substantial. Their ability to migrate to inland waters is well demonstrated. Tough Federal regulation and strong enforcement is the key to limiting the invasion.
• Reduced state and federal support for research, monitoring and practical projects to enhance long term, healthy native fish, wildlife and plant communities has limited recovery efforts.

What can we do to help improve the outdoors that we enjoy?

Money from the purchase of fishing, trapping, and hunting licenses in New York, by law, must be applied to the management and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources. Even with a 34% increase in these fees last year the job is not getting done.

Making your feelings known to your elected officials can be an effective way to see that appropriate energy is directed New York’s ecosystems and renewable natural resources.

Working with the Conservation Alliance of New York and well directed local organizations that share your interests and concerns can also help. We can assist by providing members with factual information needed to prepare a good letter for your Assembly person or Senator. We can also assist in identifying your elected officials. CANY may also be able to direct you to sources of information to add strength to your letter or conversation.

I urge you to join the Conservation Alliance of New York and take a more active role in building, for the long term, the outdoors resources that you and your family enjoy.

More about the CANY Mission and the Membership Application are available on this web site. From the Home Page, click on “JOIN US” at he bottom of the page, then click “Go to Application Form”. Complete and print the form, add your check or money order and mail to CANY.

Going forward –

This is the first of a series of articles about regional resources. I have written about a few items that I hope are of interest or concern to you. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions about the material I write. What topics would you like to see explored? What additional material would you like to see?

Written by, Larry Watts