The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Sports Outdoors

Next Step Hunting and Trapping Courses

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that DEC’s Hunter Education Program (HEP) is now offering Next Step courses in seven disciplines for those who have completed a hunter education, bowhunter education, or trapper education certification course.

Taught by HEP staff and certified HEP instructors, Next Step courses are offered in the areas of rifle, shotgun, crossbow, archery use and marksmanship, fur handling, land trapping, and water trapping. Each four-hour course focuses on safety techniques and offers students hands-on experience learning practical skills from knowledgeable instructors. The hands-on aspect of the courses, coupled with smaller group sizes, allows for more one-on-one instruction. Course participants will spend time putting what they’ve learned into practice on the range or in field exercises, which will help build confidence and comfort with the tools and techniques of hunting and trapping while reinforcing important safety habits.

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STRIDE 100K Vertical Challenge 

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Submitted by STRIDE Adaptive Sports 

STRIDE Adaptive Sports, an organization that levels the playing field for youth and veterans with disabilities, recently announced that its biggest fundraising event of the year, the 100,000 Vertical Challenge Ski Race, raised over $83,000.

The event took place on Monday, February 27th, when more than 54 participants completed 100,000 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding at Jiminy Peak. This marathon athletic feat raised funds that make sports and recreation accessible to everyone, regardless of their disability. Several corporations and foundations added their support, along with the great efforts of the participants through peer-to-peer fundraising competition. At its heart, the event is more a competition of fundraising, and the skiing is just a celebration. All proceeds will fund 18 different sports and recreation programs for people with disabilities, and in particular our 3 mountain resort adaptive snowsports programs at Jiminy Peak, Catamount, and Titus Mountains. 

For program information, contact Program Director Allison Ryan at 518-598-1279, or aryan@stride.org. A detailed list of STRIDE sponsors can be viewed at www.stride.org/about/sponsors/. 

2022 Hunting Season Tied for Safest Ever

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2022 hunting seasons tied 2021 for the safest year on record, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents since record-keeping began. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) in 2022, including one fatality. 

Four of the nine HRSIs that occurred in 2022 involved two-party firearm incidents, while the other five were self-inflicted. The one recorded fatality occurred due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound by a turkey hunter. All identified shooters were experienced hunters with an average of 30 years of hunting experience, emphasizing the need for all hunters to remain vigilant when heading afield. 

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Avoiding Coyote Conflicts

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued guidance to help prevent conflicts between people and coyotes. Coyote sightings are likely to increase in the coming months and DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of the potential for conflicts, and follow DEC guidelines to prevent negative encounters. 

Coyotes inhabit a variety of habitats throughout the state, from rural farmland and forests to populated suburban and urban areas. For the most part, coyotes will avoid human contact. However, conflicts with people and pets may occur, particularly during the spring denning and pupping period when coyotes tend to be more territorial and protective of pups. Furthermore, if coyotes learn to associate food, such as garbage or pet food, with people, these animals may lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the potential for close encounters or conflicts. 

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps:

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High School Bowling Sectionals

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Hoosick Falls

Submitted by James Lynch
On Thursday, February 9th, and Monday, February 13th, the Hoosick Falls bowling team traveled to Boulevard Bowl in Schenectady for this year’s Section 2 Bowling Tournament. Bowling as individuals in the Girls’ Tournament, senior Jordyn Wilwol 204-538-1065 and freshman Hailey Bedford 257-546-1030 each received recognition for their bowling. Hailey’s 257 was the top game in Class C, while Jordyn’s 204 was the second highest.

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Young Anglers Fishing Tournament

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On Sunday morning, August 7th, the Lake Lauderdale Improvement Association, Inc. hosted their 26th annual young anglers fishing tournament on beautiful Lake Lauderale. The 37 young anglers, ages 2 to 15 years old, lined the county park shoreline for a fun morning of fishing, face painting, food and prizes. 

Jonah Steven caught the largest fish, a 25 ½ inch Northern Pike, and was the grand prize winner. Francis MacJarrett caught the most fish of the day, twenty-one! Other prize winners: Age group 2-7 years: 1st place Connor Conklin, 2nd place Ellie Amatriello, 3rd place Parker Morrison. Age group 8-11 years: 1st place Eli Barnes, 2nd place Asa Steffen, 3rd place Justin Tully. Age group 12-15 years: 1st place Evan Yurshack, 2nd place Brigid Toleman, 3rd place Michael Becker.

Thanks to the generosity and support from individual donations and Cambridge area businesses, all young anglers received a prize for participating in this event. This annual event hosted by the LLIA, Inc. provides a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a fun morning of fishing and fun. Please visit www.lakelauderdale.org for a full list of sponsors and photos. [Read more…] about Young Anglers Fishing Tournament

Hunting & Trapping Education Courses

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Training in safe handling of firearms and hunting ethics is required before purchasing a hunting license.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded all new hunters and trappers planning to go afield this season that they must first complete a mandatory hunter, bowhunter, or trapper education course before obtaining the appropriate sporting license or hunting privilege. In-person, instructor-led hunter education courses are being offered throughout New York during September and October. Bowhunter education, trapper education, and waterfowl hunter education courses are also available, and all in-person courses are free and offer hands-on experience.

With hunting licenses now on sale, first-time hunters and trappers are encouraged to sign up for certification courses soon to reserve a spot, as these courses can fill quickly. Each year, thousands of New Yorkers take DEC’s hunter and trapper education courses. DEC’s online registration system makes it easy to view a list of all available courses. To locate a hunter or trapper education course, visit DEC’s website or contact a local DEC office for assistance. 

Please visit this website for more specific information:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html.

Dutchaven Golf

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Skip Russell has rare feat during league play at Dutchaven

 

Notes:  Enjoy your kids and respect each other.  I have been involved in a lot of sports, either coaching or playing.  As you get older, hopefully you gain a little perspective of the bigger picture.  As you watch your kids play, enjoy the time.  There may be a bad call that goes your team’s way or goes against you.  Teach your kid a bigger lesson in life and realize that umpires are human.  The best advice I can give anyone is to walk in someone else’s shoes.  Be the umpire or referee or coach or opponent.  Some of you will remember how the 27th out of a perfect game was a blown call.  This took away a chance for someone to attain the rarest feat in baseball, a perfect game.  Armando Galarraga didn’t scream or yell, he just grinned at Jim Joyce.  There will never be a call in any high school or little league game that was that important.  Only 23 perfect games in 218,400 and counting, less than .011% (that’s not 11%).  When they came out before the next game, when Armando handed Jim Joyce the starting lineup, Jim Joyce had tears in his eyes.  People are human.  As I said many times in my articles, Be Kind.     

 

Current Leaders: Flight A  One team has played all four weeks together and they haven’t lost, Jeff Stevens and Keith Shannon.  They lead flight A with 50 points.  In 2nd place, Joe Gerwin and Jack Daigneault are unbeaten and have 47 points.  Gerry Taber and Dave Clark are in 3rd palace with 44 points.   Flight B  Skip Russell and Bob Hunt only have one loss on the year and have 44.5 points.  Billy Potter and Kyle Woodard also have only one loss and have 44 points.  The Harrington brothers, Chris and Gerry, are sitting in 3rd place with 41.5 points.  

 

Week Four Results: Throughout the year there is a rare feat at Dutchaven with their postage stamp par three hole 1 and hole 9 greens to par all 3 par threes.  Skip Russell did something better than that.  He birdied hole 1 with an amazing chip-in then proceeded to par both hole 3 and 9.  To shoot 1 under on the par threes is remarkable.  I don’t know if it will happen again this year. Bret Seiler shot 36 with 8 pars and yes he did par all 3 par threes.  Jeff Stevens was the only other player to break 40 on the tougher blue tees.  He shot 38 with 3 birdies.  He had back-to-back birdies on holes 6 and 7.  “Fore.”  Kyle Woodward had the low net of the night with his 31 and 3 pars.  Eric Speanburg helped his team move up the leaderboard with his net 33 and 2 pars.  Dave Vogt had a solid round with his net 33 and 4 pars.  Defending champions, Jeff Hull and Dale Dearstyne, had the low team net of the night with their net score of 66.  They combined for 6 pars.  Danny O’Rourke had 5 pars.  

 

Skins Update (week 4):  Each week, the 18-sided die will be rolled to determine which hole was the skin hole for the previous week.  Players are divided into 2 flights based on handicap.  If you are the lone low score on the hole, you win the skins pot.  Teammates can not cancel each other out.  You need to have a birdie or better to win the skin.   Skins possibilities this week in Group A were: Jeff Stevens – hole 2, Jeff Stevens – hole 7   Skins possibilities this week in Group B were: none  Dice will be rolled next week as weather prevented action this week.

 

Closest to the Pin Winners (week 4):  Hole 1 -> no one, Hole 3 -> Gerry Taber 4ft 10in, Hole 9 -> Garth Duclos 16ft 4in

Week Five – canceled due to bad weather.  So no new article, or life lesson next week.  When you hear thunder, head for cover, don’t be foolish.

Auto Racing

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by Doug La Rocque

Plans by the Albany-Saratoga Speedway for their earliest season opener on Friday, April 1 were washed out. The track now plans to open the season on Friday, April 15. What did take the green flag was the first race of the year at the Orange County Speedway in Middletown, with more than $25,000 going to the winner. That turned out to be Matt Sheppard from the Rochester area. The other top five finishers were Mat Williamson, Dan Creeden, Ryan Godown and Andy Bachetti.

The Fonda Speedway opens for the season with all divisions on Saturday, April 16. The Green flag will fly at Lebanon Valley for Big Blocks, Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks on Saturday, April 23. The Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT has its first night of racing planned for Saturday, May 7.