Yes, they really are officially named Little Brown Bats. That name was likely chosen because of their small size (adults weigh less than half an ounce). They are common in our area although their numbers are in serious decline.

The only flying mammals that exist, bats are an important part of our environment. Don’t hate on them. Each bat eats thousands of flying insects in a night and helps to keep populations of mosquitos and other nasty bugs in check.

Bats use echolocation to find prey and scoop the insects up in the bats’ wings before transferring them to mouths to be eaten. That process is what gives bats their characteristic erratic flight pattern.

Little Brown Bats have silky dark brown and cinnamon hair with black wings. Their wingspan is 8-9 inches and their bodies are 3-4 inches long with black wings.

So where do their white noses come from? That’s the sad part of the story. White-nose syndrome (WNS) affects several bat species and is devastating to our local populations. Caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, WNS thrives in cool humid environments like bat caves and grows on the bats’ noses while they hibernate.

The fungus causes dehydration, starvation and death. It can wipe out 99 percent of bats hibernating together in a cave. WNS had led to losses of up to 90 percent of the bats in our area. The fungus is believed to have come from Europe or Asia. It came to North America in the early 2000’s. WNS was found in NY in 2006.

The three species most affected are Tri-Colored Bats, Northern Long-Eared Bats, and of course our local Little Brown Bats. WNS can be spread by humans, so if you go out spelunking, please thoroughly clean your clothes and gear before entering different caves.

Update on NY Crossbow Bill: While sent to the Governor, the bill has not been officially received yet for her signature (or veto). It is stalled at that point with no forecast on when it will move forward.

Update on PA Sunday Hunting Bill: It passed the Senate (it already passed the House on June 11) and will be sent to the Governor for his signature (or veto).

Let’s all enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.