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The East Branch of the Delaware River, a federally classified navigable river.

Ironically, the issue of whether or not anglers had the right to wade and fish in those Catskill rivers that were federally classified as navigable by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) began … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 8/6/25

Hunting, trapping licenses and DMPs on sale now

NEW YORK — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the … more

8/5/25

While walking along a trail in Mount Tremper, NY, we came upon this braided band of dandelions, a glowing expression of the entwined nature of beauty and impermanence.

Wabi-sabi awareness

Walking with awareness is a wonderful way to relate to this world in which we currently find ourselves. Paying attention to what we encounter involves engaging the senses—looking, listening, … more

7/30/25

New kids’ activity book from NYS Parks

NEW YORK STATE — The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) has released “The Explorer Club Activity Book,” a new publication for kids aged … more

7/30/25

Sunfish or sunnies are the bread and butter of fishing with kids.

A sunny day

There’s a handful and a half of people out there who have big fish they like to brag about. Fish they’ve caught; fish they’ve released; and fish they’ve had mounted. … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/30/25

This fledgling landed in a white pine not too far from its nest, but it found the top of the tree, where there are no thick branches and lots of pine needles to get stuck in. It didn’t seem the worse for wear and flew off after an hour or so. Fledglings appear almost pure brown in color, but after the first year, immature eagles pick up various stages of mottling, until at about four-and-a-half to five years of age, when they become mature and display the white head and tail of an adult eagle.

Eagle flight school

If you are near the river or other places that eagles frequent, you will probably see some of our resident eagles; these are eagles that live here all year and likely have nests in the area that they … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/23/25

An original Quill Gordon dry fly tied by Theodore Gordon. Likely the first tyer to use wings, in America.

Wings or not?

According to the historic record, wings were first tied on trout flies way back in the late 17th century. At that time, Robert Venables, an experienced English angler, tied wings on his dry … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/23/25

Get outside and earn some stickers!

REGION — Promoting physical, mental and social wellness, New York State Parks’ 2025 Wellness Challenge launched earlier this year encourages New York residents … more

7/17/25

A flame illuminates the gathering darkness.

Unrelenting grace

You have whispered in the day’s ear of your willingness to be graced and you are given— you are given— the elixir of thrush at dawn and dusk transforming light’s … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/16/25

DEC accepting sponsored hunt program apps

ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Fish and Wildlife recently announced that DEC is accepting applications for sponsored … more

7/16/25

A few fledglings flee over a nearby rock wall.

Tiny turkeys tales

Have you ever wondered why we have hunting seasons? There are many reasons, of course, but sometimes it’s an overlooked consideration. None of us wants to see any of these species of … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/16/25

Common eastern fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) is a small flowering plant of the daisy family. The flower is about a half-inch in diameter and can be distinguished from other lookalikes by its many fine petals (50-100). It is considered native to this region, but can be opportunistic to favorable habitats, which is why some call it invasive. The flower prefers disturbed habitat such as that found near roadsides.

Roadside wildflowers

Years ago, roadsides and highway medians were regularly sprayed and mowed to keep the shoulders clear and improve sight distance for safety reasons. The mowing went out to wherever the road … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 7/9/25

A river as night falls. The time big trout are on the prowl and easy to catch.

Night on the river

Once the spring fly hatches are over and the summer season begins, the most productive fishing is in the evening. The exception is that on cloudy, gray days, anglers may find a reprieve and see trout … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 7/9/25

At left, James W. proudly holds his Snapshot NY camera and gear. At right, a black bear captured on a trail camera in Western New York.

Interested in stalking animals in your own backyard?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton, in collaboration with the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University, today … more

7/8/25

This green frog joined me along a riverbank in the Upper Delaware River region recently to deliver a message of reverence for rivers. Take heed of some good advice from a fetching local amphibian!

What the frog said…

There was movement in the grass along the riverbank where I rested with pen poised above the page, contemplating ideas for this column. I was trying to cool down as the heat wave hovered over the … more

By SANDY LONG | 7/2/25

Two little farmers with their lines in the salty brine.

A cast away

Vacation for farmers sometimes only means waiting on parts or weather to keep working. For us, however, with a whole lot of overtime and planning ahead, it meant the real deal, or should I say, the … more

By HUNTER HILL | 7/2/25

“Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.” (John Muir)..

Wanna go camping for the first time?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the return of the free First-Time Camper Program for the 2025 season. Through the First-Time … more

6/26/25

This is the bowl and doily spider as it clings to the underside of the bowl, waiting for a gnat or other flying insect to collide with an overhead strand and fall onto the topside of the bowl part of the web. The spider will feel its prey contact the web and will then move under its prey and deliver a bite through the web. This could be a safer hunting method if an insect too large for the bowl and doily spider to handle comes into the web.

A unique web to weave

Around the middle of May, a friend had sent me an image of a couple of spider webs on a small conifer tree; they were sheet-type webs that were woven horizontally, taking on a little bit of a bowl … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 6/25/25

The fallen Beaverkill River Access sign. A problem that would not have occurred when Ed VanPut worked for the DEC.

A long ride home

The day was June 1 of this year. That was the date Judy Van Put chose to celebrate the life of her late husband Ed, who passed in December of 2024. A memorial was scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Catskill … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 6/25/25

Electronic hunting tags, DMAP changes, youth opportunities

NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced several proposed regulation changes to streamline use and reporting of hunting tags and provide new … more

6/23/25

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
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