Sandypondsportsmens

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

🛑 SEPTEMBER SMALL GAME HUNTING SEASONS NOW OPEN ACROSS NYS

‼️ DEC announces the start of small game hunting and furbearer trapping seasons for the 2026-27 license year. Most seasons open between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, with full details available in the 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-trapping-regulations

‼️ Special Youth and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days
New York offers a wide variety of waterfowl hunting opportunities across five waterfowl zones and nine Canada goose subzones to reflect the State’s diverse habitats. Youth hunts are scheduled for Sept. 26–27 (Upstate) and Nov. 7–8 (Long Island). Veterans and active military days generally align with youth dates. Check zone-specific dates on the DEC website. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-trapping-seasons

‼️ Pheasant Hunting
Youth pheasant hunts begin Sept. 26 (Eastern NY); regular season starts Oct. 1 (Eastern NY), Oct. 17 (Western NY), and Nov. 1 (Long Island and NYC)

‼️ DEC will supply approximately 60,000 adult pheasant to supplement upland game bird hunting opportunities across the state.
An interactive map and complete list of DEC release sites are available on DEC’s website.
Mentored and sponsored pheasant hunts are available around New York State and can be found on HuntFishNY Event page. https://decals.events.east.licensing.app/em/programs/16

‼️Ruffed Grouse: Sept. 20 – Feb. 28 (Northern Zone) and Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (Southern Zone)
DEC encourages hunters to participate in the Grouse Hunting Log and submit feathers from harvested birds to help biologists monitor grouse populations and annual productivity. https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/biodiversity-species-conservation/citizen-science/grouse-and-woodcock-hunting-log

‼️ Hunters who submit a usable grouse parts sample and a completed hunting log will be entered for a chance to win a YETI® cooler donated by Ruffed Grouse Society or one of 10 available subscriptions to the Conservationist.
Squirrel: Seasons begin Sept. 1 (upstate) and Nov. 1 (Downstate)

09/08/2026

2026-27 EARLY BIG GAME HUNTING SEASONS IN SEPTEMBER
DEC is reminding big game hunters that early hunting seasons for deer and bear begin in September in New York State. ‼️ An early bear season begins on September 12th and runs through September 27th in eleven Wildlife Management Units in the Southern Zone (WMUs, 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, 4R & 4W).
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/regulations/wildlife-management-units

‼️ Additionally, an early antlerless deer season begins on September 12th and runs through September 20th in 23 WMUs in the Southern Zone – including 10 new WMUs where the early antlerless deer season has been expanded (1C, 3M, 3P, 3R, 3S, 4J, 6P, 7F, 7J, 7H, 7R, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F & 9G).

‼️Bear hunting seasons begin on September 19th and run through December 6th in the Northern Zone.

Only antlerless deer (those without antlers or having antlers less than three inches long) may be harvested during the early antlerless deer season, and hunters may only use Deer Management Permits (DMPs) or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) tags. All WMUs that have an early antlerless deer season offer unlimited DMPs, which allow hunters who report an antlerless deer harvest on a DMP to receive a Bonus DMP for the same WMU.

Hunters are encouraged to apply for DMPs in these WMUs ahead of the early antlerless deer season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer will also receive a second antlered deer tag for the 2026-27 seasons through DEC’s new “Earn-a-2nd-Buck” program.
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/deer-bear/regulations

In WMUs 3M, 3P, 3R, 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7R, 8A, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8N, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9F, and 9G, hunters may use fi****ms, crossbows, or vertical bows during the early antlerless deer season, but only vertical bows or crossbows can be used in WMUs 1C, 3S, 4J, and 8C. Hunters may use fi****ms, crossbows, or vertical bows in all WMUs enrolled in the early bear season. The use of ri**es is prohibited in Rockland County (most of WMU 3R) during any season.

‼️ Hunters using fi****ms, including muzzleloaders, during any season must wear a solid or patterned fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat, vest, or jacket while hunting.
‼️ Legal hunting hours for deer and bear include the full period of ambient light from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
‼️ Hunters should refer to the 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunting-trapping-regulations
and DEC’s Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations webpages
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/deer-bear/seasons
for more information about deer and bear hunting in NY.

09/05/2026

Be safe and Enjoy this Labor Day weekend

09/05/2026

17th Annual Jefferson County Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunt
Free Program Held in September for Youth Ages 12 to 15

NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) are again offering junior hunters ages 12 to 15 an opportunity to hunt waterfowl and pheasant with ECOs this fall. The hunt is a two-day event that will coincide with the waterfowl and pheasant youth hunting weekend. The event begins with a classroom portion at the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club on Sunday, September 20, followed by a hunt on Saturday, September 26. This is the 17th year of the program in Jefferson County.

‼️WHAT: Jefferson County Youth Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunt
‼️WHERE: Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club, 17500 County Route 66 (Salt Point Rd), Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
‼️COST: FREE Program for Youth Ages 12 to 15

Educational day: Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Hunting day: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Interested youth hunters must possess a New York State small game hunting license and register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/hunting-license/harvest-information-program
The event is free to participants and equipment will be provided if necessary.

The event is hosted by the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club and sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA).

For more information and to sign-up for the event, please contact Lt. Steven Bartoszewski at (315) 489-6984 or by email at [email protected].

Sign-up sheets are also available at the Sackets Harbor Sportsmen’s Club, 17500 County Route 66, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 and at VanTassel’s Gunsmithing, 30412 NY-37, Evans Mills, NY 13637.

🛑 🛑 Youth interested in participating must sign up prior to September 18, 2026.

09/05/2026

LABOR DAY WEEKEND HAB Report for Sandy Pond
As we head into the Labor Day weekend, here is the latest HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) results for North and South Sandy Pond. Three samples were tested this week by Upstate Freshwater Institute...two on North Pond and one on South Pond. All samples showed elevated Blue-green algae levels, including the species that produce toxins. Microcystin toxin levels were found in all samples and were particularly high in the sample from the back side of the beach on North Pond. Exact locations of the strongest blooms vary daily based upon wind and wave action. While Renshaw Bay does still appear to be less impacted in the satellite photo, a sample taken there did also show Blue-green algae and toxin.

This sampling program is provided by the Town of Sandy Creek to help keep area residents and visitors informed about bloom conditions.

🛑 As always, caution is suggested when in areas impacted by the blooms. Please refer to the following links for more info:

https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf

🛑 uYou can assist with the reporting process by reporting blooms on the DEC website:
https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications
This helps document the HAB's.

Ron Fisher, ELODC Landowner Committee Chair

09/03/2026

🎣OSWEGO COUNTY FISHING REPORT
Sept. 3, 2026
Salmon season in Oswego County has kicked off! The lake is still fishing great, the Salmon River has been experiencing small pushes for over a week, and now salmon have entered the Oswego River.

WEEKLY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
🛑 LAKE ONTARIO: Anglers are finding that the salmon have migrated east, so your best bet is to fish in 100–150 feet of water. From the Salmon River north to the dunes has been great this week, and lots of fish are starting to stage in that region.
‼️Don’t forget that this is the last big push for the LOC Derby, which ends on Monday. The $25,000 grand prize is on the line. Some big fish have been caught this week by anglers without a ticket, so they are out there! lots of fish are starting to stage in front of the Salmon River.

🛑 SALMON RIVER: Salmon have been steadily trickling in for over a week now. This has helped spread them out throughout the river. But, as always when it comes to early-season salmon, lower is best!
‼️ Look for the fastest current and travel corridors to have the most success throughout the day.

🛑 OSWEGO RIVER: the dam is the hot spot. When the early-season fish enter the Oswego River, they are greeted by warm water. They keep moving farther up river in an attempt to find colder water. That’s why the dam becomes the hot spot! They can’t go any farther, but they keep trying!
‼️ Please Consider the Following Year-Round Notice: There are mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) zones on the river. The Oswego Fire Department offers loaner life jackets at no charge through its “Loaner for Life” program. For more information contact the fire station at 35 E. Cayuga St. by calling 315-343-2161. Click here for the current water flow Oswego River at Lock 7, Oswego NY - USGS Water Data for the Nation
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-04249000 =continuous-00065-0&period=P7D&showFieldMeasurements=true

09/02/2026

🛑 Hunting Licenses and DMPs Now on Sale
🛑 New DMP Application Process in Place For 2026

‼️ Hunting licenses for the 2026 –2027 season are on sale now! Purchase your license online, by phone, or in person at any license issuing agent.

Please note that DEC adopted new deer hunting regulations that modified the Deer Management Permit (DMP) application process and allowed an unlimited number of DMPs to be transferred between hunters.

Under the new DMP application process, hunters can apply for up to four DMPs: two in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) with limited DMPs and two in WMUs with unlimited DMPs. For WMUs with limited DMPs, the DMP application and issuance process will work through the typical lottery and order of selection process.

Unlimited DMPs will be available in 23 WMUs. All hunters who apply for DMPs in these WMUs will receive them. DMPs that are used to harvest antlerless deer in these WMUs will be replaced with a bonus DMP upon harvest report, allowing hunters to continue harvesting antlerless deer. Used and reported bonus DMPs will also be replaced with additional bonus DMPs. There is no fee to obtain bonus DMPs.

Bonus DMPs will be automatically added to the hunter’s DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS) account and emailed to them if there is a valid email associated with their account. https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/decals
E-tag users will see the bonus DMPs in their HuntFishNY mobile app under “Licenses & Tags/Report Harvest.” https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/huntfishny-mobile-app
Paper tag users will be able to print the bonus DMPs from their email receipt or from their online DECALS profile or can obtain their bonus DMPs at a regional DEC office (appointment required).

Visit DEC’s Antlerless Deer Hunting webpage to apply for DMPs and for more information on the regulation changes. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/deer-bear/antlerless-deer-hunting

08/29/2026

Sandy Pond HAB report for week of August 23, 2026, updated HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) data table. Three samples were taken this week, all from North Pond. All showed fairly high levels of blue-green algae and Microcystis, the organism that produces the toxin associated with these blooms. The bloom appears to be quite widespread and caution is, as always, advisable when you encounter water that is bright green, swirled like paint, etc.

Additional information about HABs:

https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habspets.pdf

You can assist with the reporting process by reporting blooms on the DEC website:
https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications
This helps document the HAB's.

Ron Fisher, ELODC Landowner Committee Chair