Tony C. Zappia       Focus on the Outdoors

Opinions are like elbows; everybody has a couple of them. And, for me, I've been known to voice my opinions now and then. This week is no exception.

Regular Canada goose season: I can recall many, many years ago Canada goose numbers were at an all-time low. So, in order for their numbers to rebound, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a short-term reduction in season length and harvest numbers. If my memory serves me right, the number of 50,000 breeding pair was the cutoff point. As a whole, waterfowlers were not upset with the changes, realizing the management goals were to be short term. However, as the years passed by, Canada goose numbers have rebounded to a point where these days as the migration peaks, our north country fields are littered with birds.

So why the late October regular-season opener? My guess it has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with wildlife management. If birds were in jeopardy, then why are waterfowlers in Ontario — just spitting distance of New York — allowed to heavily gun Canadas from early September on until the snow flies? I think Northern New York waterfowl hunters are getting the short end of this stick.

Wildlife Mismanagement Areas: And speaking of getting the short end of the stick, have you taken a look at our regional Wildlife Management Areas? They are in abominable disarray to the point where many should be renamed "Wildlife Mismanagement Areas." Take, for examples, Upper and Lower Lakes WMA and Wilson Hill WMA. Both were once well-known for their outstanding waterfowl production/hunting — and for years, both served the outdoorsman well. Nowadays, however, both WMAs, are nothing but sterile pools of water offering very little for waterfowl.

I'm proud to say my close friends in the Forsythe family, owners and operators of Basswood Lodge Hunting Preserve, have established a better wildfowl management plan on their well-managed private property than any land the state owns. The Basswood property is a venerable duck magnet as the Forsythe family has given resident and visiting waterfowl everything they want — water, food and cover. And, that awesome combination draws and keeps birds on their property until ice formation.

Partnering with USDA Soil and Conservation regional office in Canton, the Basswood property is a shining example of what can be accomplished with teamwork, dedication and foresight.

Other area sportsman interested in waterfowl have followed suit. Just this past week, I have waterfowl-hunted with two friends, both landowners, who took advantage of the expertise of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's wetlands initiatives. Both properties are fine examples of what a productive wetland/duck habitat should be.

It is unfortunate that the state cannot manage its property like many concerned sportsmen have done on their private back forties. These days, managers are more concerned about building walking trails than they are about building waterfowl nesting sites.

Maybe it's time for DEC to enlist the expertise of Ducks Unlimited and Fish & Wildlife Service for assistance in growing ducks and properly managing their state wetlands.

If that isn't acceptable, how about a friendly challenge: Give me the opportunity to manage Wilson Hill WMA for one year, and if DEC and sportsmen do not see a dramatic improvement, I'll only write good news stories about DEC in the future. Folks have to remember, this isn't brain surgery, and it doesn't take a duck boat full of school biologists or for heaven's sakes, ornithologists, to turn these WMAs around. Give me the availability to do Internet research, some heavy equipment, a handful of local farmers who make a living out of managing land, and I'll give you a WMA any sportsman across this country would be proud to visit.

Deer seasons/management objectives hit or miss: Can somebody out there give me an answer on what the heck are we doing with our local deer herds? I just can't understand how DEC can effectively and professionally manage deer numbers with poor data. Again, it's time to revisit this issue. I still contend deer managers need to establish a statewide deer check-in where hunters must report to a deer check station within 24 hours of kill. A registered check station can be a Mom & Pop, bait & tackle or a sporting goods store. Or any other established business catering to hunters. This not only would drive extra business to these establishments, but would also provide the state with meaningful data like weights, ages, antler beam diameter, etc. While deer hunting other states with similar mandatory check stations, I recall traveling around station to station just looking at photos of deer measured and checked.