According to the latest science, our earth, give or take 70 million years, is about 4.5 billion years old. Humans in even our most rudimentary form have only been in evidence for a few thousand years.
Further, we all believed the world was flat just 400 years ago. Most people did not know about evolution only 70 years ago.
So relatively speaking it is hard to believe there will be much long-term ill effect from two ice fishing tournaments 20 miles apart on the same weekend or even a crow shoot. Yet any press is good press when it comes to learning more about the natural things around us.
Recently, we see how we are fouling up our own wells and water as evidenced by the water tests, fishing, tasting Owasco Lake water and the contaminated wells in Aurelius.
For example, whether you agree on not, the success of moving the crows to a more socially acceptable location clearly shows we have learned enough to direct a desired change in our own environment.
If about 5-7 people attended their town board meetings, we could readily expand attitudes about improving and protecting our water. It would be even more effective if they were different people each time.
Also, contacting any local politician regularly to express your environmental concerns would be extremely effective. We need to redirect at least some of this new found Bass Pro sales tax money and higher lake assessments directly into watershed management.
The trip south to the Harrisburg Sports Show was extremely educational. It is like all our state fair buildings but only dedicated to thousands of people spending time and money on hunting and fishing. Bow hunting trips to western Canada and bird hunting in Argentina look pretty exciting and at least not totally our of reach financially.
It was 43 degrees and sunny on Friday in Harrisburg with not even a hint of snow anyplace. Lots of small-farm fields around there with little fall plowing done.
It is surprising how much difference only 270 miles south can make. Returning I-81 from Homer to Locke brought us back to reality with a foot of drifting snow in the road.
The good cold news is that the ice is firming back up and the competing ice fishing derbies next weekend should not drown anyone exhibiting reasonable care. You need to use a spud to test the ice as you walk out especially with the additional snow. It sounds like the bite is getting better on most lakes.
If you can't make the 19th ice fishing action, Jack Wellauer at South Shore Marine, the south end of Owasco is holding a tournament on Saturday the 26th.
Last year, the top prize money was well over $1000 if I remember correctly. Bass Pro might be the 800-pound gorilla but local sport shops don't monkey around either. South Shore Marine supported OWLA's calendar at the same level as Bass Pro and Jack has OWLA calendars on sale there too along with bait and gear.
Local sports are missing the boat if we do not support our local outdoor merchants regularly like Screwy Louie's, South Shore, John's Grocery, the Fur Shed, Parkers Pond etc.
I love cruising Bass Pro but live bait is only available at these types of locations and they cannot stay open on live bait alone.
Have fun, stay on the right side of the ice and get involved and join the fight to save our water.
Weedsport Rod & Gun Club hosted the Feb. 6 shoot, and its team of five highest scoring shooters, Roger Jorgensen (49); Gary Nickerson, Dick Smith (48s); Dave Bobbett, John Stanley (47s), placed fourth for the day.
In third place for team points was Otisco Lake, with its five best scores posted by Jack Gutchess, Gary Wood (49s), Conrad Hess, Nelson Pratt, Jan Ringger (48s).
The second-place team was from Falcon: Dave Bean, Frank Bozeat, Rod Roberts 49X50; Richard Bobbet, Steve Mack 48x50. First place was Camillus.
Camillus Sportsmen Club holds a substantial lead with 35 points. Weedsport and Falcon are taking turns on who's in second. As of last Sunday; Falcon 20, Weedsport 19; and Otisco in third, 16 points.
High ladies again this week were Dottie Wells and Jan Ringger (48x50). Sub-Junior high-shooter was Mike Kiselica (45x50).
Senior Vet, Jack Gutchess (49x50); Vet, Chuck Bellows (50x50); Junior, Chris Stevens (45x50).
The next two shoots are scheduled at Falcon Sportsmen on Turnpike Road in Auburn, today and at Otisco Lake the following Sunday.
Kozlowski, a local sportsman who is the president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, is The Citizen's outdoors columnist. He can be reached at
alkoz@baldcom.net
So relatively speaking it is hard to believe there will be much long-term ill effect from two ice fishing tournaments 20 miles apart on the same weekend or even a crow shoot. Yet any press is good press when it comes to learning more about the natural things around us.
Recently, we see how we are fouling up our own wells and water as evidenced by the water tests, fishing, tasting Owasco Lake water and the contaminated wells in Aurelius.
For example, whether you agree on not, the success of moving the crows to a more socially acceptable location clearly shows we have learned enough to direct a desired change in our own environment.
If about 5-7 people attended their town board meetings, we could readily expand attitudes about improving and protecting our water. It would be even more effective if they were different people each time.
Also, contacting any local politician regularly to express your environmental concerns would be extremely effective. We need to redirect at least some of this new found Bass Pro sales tax money and higher lake assessments directly into watershed management.
The trip south to the Harrisburg Sports Show was extremely educational. It is like all our state fair buildings but only dedicated to thousands of people spending time and money on hunting and fishing. Bow hunting trips to western Canada and bird hunting in Argentina look pretty exciting and at least not totally our of reach financially.
It was 43 degrees and sunny on Friday in Harrisburg with not even a hint of snow anyplace. Lots of small-farm fields around there with little fall plowing done.
It is surprising how much difference only 270 miles south can make. Returning I-81 from Homer to Locke brought us back to reality with a foot of drifting snow in the road.
The good cold news is that the ice is firming back up and the competing ice fishing derbies next weekend should not drown anyone exhibiting reasonable care. You need to use a spud to test the ice as you walk out especially with the additional snow. It sounds like the bite is getting better on most lakes.
If you can't make the 19th ice fishing action, Jack Wellauer at South Shore Marine, the south end of Owasco is holding a tournament on Saturday the 26th.
Last year, the top prize money was well over $1000 if I remember correctly. Bass Pro might be the 800-pound gorilla but local sport shops don't monkey around either. South Shore Marine supported OWLA's calendar at the same level as Bass Pro and Jack has OWLA calendars on sale there too along with bait and gear.
Local sports are missing the boat if we do not support our local outdoor merchants regularly like Screwy Louie's, South Shore, John's Grocery, the Fur Shed, Parkers Pond etc.
I love cruising Bass Pro but live bait is only available at these types of locations and they cannot stay open on live bait alone.
Have fun, stay on the right side of the ice and get involved and join the fight to save our water.
Weedsport Rod & Gun Club hosted the Feb. 6 shoot, and its team of five highest scoring shooters, Roger Jorgensen (49); Gary Nickerson, Dick Smith (48s); Dave Bobbett, John Stanley (47s), placed fourth for the day.
In third place for team points was Otisco Lake, with its five best scores posted by Jack Gutchess, Gary Wood (49s), Conrad Hess, Nelson Pratt, Jan Ringger (48s).
The second-place team was from Falcon: Dave Bean, Frank Bozeat, Rod Roberts 49X50; Richard Bobbet, Steve Mack 48x50. First place was Camillus.
Camillus Sportsmen Club holds a substantial lead with 35 points. Weedsport and Falcon are taking turns on who's in second. As of last Sunday; Falcon 20, Weedsport 19; and Otisco in third, 16 points.
High ladies again this week were Dottie Wells and Jan Ringger (48x50). Sub-Junior high-shooter was Mike Kiselica (45x50).
Senior Vet, Jack Gutchess (49x50); Vet, Chuck Bellows (50x50); Junior, Chris Stevens (45x50).
The next two shoots are scheduled at Falcon Sportsmen on Turnpike Road in Auburn, today and at Otisco Lake the following Sunday.
Kozlowski, a local sportsman who is the president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, is The Citizen's outdoors columnist. He can be reached at
alkoz@baldcom.net
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