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2020 in review!

Jack Danchak - Columnist
Posted 12/30/20

Some of the highlights of the Sportsman Outdoors columns that I reported on in 2020 include ...

JANUARY - At least 28 different coyote contests will be held this winter in the state of …

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2020 in review!

Posted

Some of the highlights of the Sportsman Outdoors columns that I reported on in 2020 include ...

JANUARY - At least 28 different coyote contests will be held this winter in the state of Pennsylvania. The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County, NY will also be holding their 13th Annual $3,000 plus Coyote Contest on February 7, 8 & 9, 2020 here in New York State.

The Federation announced that they are canceling their Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby because of unsafe ice conditions

NYDEC rewrote a DEC regulation that prohibits the intentional feeding of deer in NY State, effective immediately.

FEBRUARY - Reported on the results of the 2020 coyote contest. 636 hunters participated, a new record of 118 coyotes was taken and the winning coyote weight was 50.30 lb. Go to the Federation's website for all the results & stats of the contest: www.SportsmensFederation.com.

MARCH - Reported that hunters here in NYS had a safe 2019 hunting season with only 12 hunting related shooting accidents including one fatality.

Reported the NY and PA bear season harvests, NY 1,505 bear taken and PA 4,653 taken.

Pennsylvania deer hunters took their highest overall deer harvest in 15 years when they took 389,431 deer during the 2019-20 deer seasons.

APRIL - The NYDEC has stated they will be stocking 45,000 trout in Sullivan County. They have asked that people who normally help with the stocking to please stay at home due to the COVID-19 virus and be safe. DEC said they have enough DEC personnel to help with the stocking.

The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County has canceled all future monthly meetings until further notice due to the virus.

PA's trout stocking is delayed until a later date that will be announced.

MAY - PA Game Commission will allocate 932,000 doe tags this year.

Governor Cuomo said DEC boat launches will remain open for anglers.

The spring gobbler turkey season will open in New York on May 1 and last throughout the month of May.

JUNE - Announced that Kayak Bass Fishing Tournaments will take place this month.

One of the largest shad fishing contests that is impacted by the COVID-19 virus, the BI-State Shad Fishing Contest, is canceled.

PA's Sunday deer hunting is approved.

Eight-year old boy sets a New York State rock bass record.

JULY - The trapping industry struggles, due to the COVID-19 virus.

Gun group from Western New York sues Governor Cuomo over gun issues.

Reported that fishing license sales are up 21 percent.

AUGUST - Night Vision Optics now legal in PA. Hunters can now legally use night vision optics to hunt coyotes in PA.

Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County, NY cancels more events. The Federation cancels their Annual Dinner Banquet in October to be held at the Rockland House in Roscoe, and they canceled their statewide coyote contest that is scheduled to be held this coming February. These cancellations are due to the COVID-19 virus and state guidelines that must be followed.

SEPTEMBER - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service is making $3.5 million available to carry out research and management activities to help combat CWD.

Ladies Fishing Derby raises funds to fight cancer.

Federation cancels the Kay Danchak Memorial Youth Outdoor Expo Day, due to the COVID-19 virus guidelines.

OCTOBER - It was reported that there is a surge in people purchasing firearms, and the majority of purchasers are women.

Sportsmen's Federation releases 600 pheasants throughout Sullivan County.

Federation announces that Mark Puerschner is named their “2020 Sportsman of the Year.” Mark is a member of the Buck Ridge Hunting Club and a dedicated member of the Federation, and is well deserving of this “once in a lifetime award,”

NOVEMBER - Reminder to hunters about the firearms big game hunting seasons coming up in NY and PA.

NRA cancels the Great American Show that was scheduled to take place in Harrisburg, PA this coming February, because of the COVID-19 virus restrictions and guidelines.

One of my November weekly columns in the Democrat newspaper was my “Farewell” letter to the Sportsmen's Federation members and club delegates after serving 30-consecutive years as their president.

Reported about Trail Cameras and how much information you can get about the area you will be hunting.

DECEMBER - Reported on the NYS DEC's 2021 Draft 10-Year Deer Management Plan about crossbows and bow hunting combined seasons.

Sportsmen's Federation held their annual elections of officers and trustees for 2021: Elected President-John VanEtten, Vice President-Hank Samyn, Secretary/Treasurer-Linda Loughrey and Trustee for 3-years Keith Krauss.

Happy New Year!

Jack Danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.

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