Outdoor Journal: Slowikowski wins final Bassmasters event of the season.

OUTDOOR JOURNAL – The Capital District Bassmasters held its sixth and final tournament of the season on Sunday on the Mohawk River.

Anglers found a “warming breeze” blowing down the river at a nice 10-15 mph at launch time, putting a nice chill in the air for the entire day. Add to this a very large regatta, which resulted in a no-wake zone from the launch up to Jumpin’ Jacks, made for an enjoyable day on the river.

Mike Slowikowski of Ballston Lake showed that he was up to the challenge, weighing in a nice fall bag of smallies, weighing 15.374 pounds, along with the tournament lunker (3.56 pounds), making it two years in a row that he has accomplished this. He had 15.374Nice job Mike.

Dave Reynolds of Schenectady finished second with 13.36 lbs, and Tim Brown of Berne was third with 9.42 lbs.

Congrats to all. Once again, this was a hassle-free tournament season, which makes this a fun, but competitive club.

OPENING OF FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING SEASONS

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced last Friday that many furbearer trapping seasons begins Tuesday, Oct. 25. Approximately 10,000 New Yorkers participate in this trapping tradition, going afield for more than a dozen species of furbearing animals and often partnering with DEC biologists to provide valuable scientific information.

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“Trapping is an important component of New York’s outdoor heritage.” Seggos said in a press release. “Out furbearer populations are abundant, and furbearer hunting and trapping provide many benefits, including reducing property damage from nuisance wildlife and providing a sustainable source of good, fur, and income to harvesters and others in the industry.”

With 16 species of furbearers living in New York, furbearer hunting opportunities are abundant. Coyote hunting season began Oct. 1 across much of the state, and hunting seasons for other furbearers such as bobcat, raccoon, and fox, begin Oct. 25, and beaver, mink and muskrat opening on Nov. 1 in northern New York and Nov. 10 across the Southern Zone.

Season dates and zone boundaries for all furbearers can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/ and in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.

Before venturing afield, trappers are advised to note changes to special permit requirements for marten trapping seasons.

All harvested marten, fisher, otter, and bobcat need to be sealed/have a tag affixed by a DEC representative within 10 days after the close of the season in the wildlife management unit where the animal was taken. When having the pel sealed, harvesters must turn in a completed furbearer possession tag. Furbearer possession tags can be downloaded from the DEC website. Harvesters should contact their regional wildlife office to make pelt sealing arrangements prior to visiting.

A free special permit is required for trappers wishing to pursue marten. To obtain a permit, trappers should contact the DEC Region 5 Wildlife office in Warrensburg at 518-623-1240. Please note that a permit is no longer required to trap fish in New York.

Contact Ed Noonan at [email protected]