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Now is time to sign up for hunting courses

Tom Schlichter

July 25, 2008

There wasn't much to give it away; just a tine or two rising above the corn stalks on a small, East End farm. Sitting with my back to a stump, I raised my binoculars and watched patiently as the velvet-covered tips rhythmically appeared and disappeared while the buck made its way toward the end of the row. From there, I hoped, it would saunter across a small access road and into the woods, offering me a good look.

It took 10 minutes for the hefty whitetail to reach the crossing. I had suspected it was a large, but was still awed at its massive chest and thick body when it finally stepped into the open. The rack, not yet fully developed, held eleven stubby tines. Without breaking stride, the buck eased silently into woods and vanished into a brier patch - not 10 yards from a tree stand I hung back in February. It's a perch I'll not visit again until deer season opens on October 1, and then only if the wind blows nor' west.

That buck still has time for its rack to grow before hunting season arrives. Sportsmen looking to hunt for the first time this fall, however, need to get moving if they haven't already taken the required Hunter Education Course. The course covers firearm training and safety skills, and must be completed before purchasing a hunting license. To hunt deer or bear during archery season, a bow hunting course is also required. Both courses are presented by DEC trained and certified volunteers. For a listing of locations and dates, visit www.dec.ny.gov and click on "Hunting; NYS Sportsman Education Program; Sportsman Education Classes."

Hunting season, of course, is still some time away, but you should be scouting and target-shooting by this point. The problem, of course, is finding time to squeeze in all the outdoor activities tugging at your heart. After all, fishing and crabbing season is in full swing; blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are at the height of ripeness for those who hike Pine Barrens trails; and late summer is always inviting for clamming, snorkeling or just a simple day at the beach.

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On the fishing front, incoming water is still producing the best summer flounder scores. Hot spots include Fire Island, Moriches and Jones inlets, where shorts are in tremendous supply and smashing spearing and squid combos. Fluke action is also picking up in Ambrose Channel on the West End, and between the Shoreham pipeline and Mattituck Inlet in Long Island Sound. The Mattituck open boat, Captain Bob V, saw Walt Davis, of Cutchogue, lift an 11-pound 1-ounce doormat over the rail on Tuesday. There have also been some good innings with fluke on the north side of Montauk, where party boat pool winners consistently top six pounds.

Striper action remains solid at Montauk, in The Race and at The Sluiceway. Porgies are at Gardiners Island, although still scattered enough that you'll need to drift instead of anchor. There are also scup to be had in 25 feet of water off Cranes Neck. Bluefish, plenty of them, are roaming mid-Sound waters from Port Jefferson west to Hempstead Harbor. You'll also find choppers on the West End at Breezy Point and the Tin Can Grounds. For sea bass, hit the ocean wrecks off Freeport and Point Lookout.

Hot spots

Ambrose Channel (fluke)

Jones Inlet (fluke, blues)

Fire Island Inlet (fluke)

Moriches Inlet (fluke,

cocktail blues)

Ponquogue Bridge (bluefish)

Western Long Island Sound (bluefish)

Cranes Neck (porgy, bluefish)

Shoreham Pipeline (fluke, bluefish)

Orient Point (striped bass, porgy)

Montauk North Rips (fluke, striped bass)