Fair season puts outdoors on display
Notebook
County fairs offer an opportunity to see what dedicated, skilled outdoors folk do for the environment and for all those who enjoy well-conserved environments.
The Genesee County Fair ended Saturday in Batavia, but the Chautauqua County Fair opens on the fairgrounds in Dunkirk on Monday and goes to next Sunday. Outdoors exhibits include an informative Greenwing display from Ducks Unlimited volunteers.
The Cattaraugus County Fair runs July 28-Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds on Erie Street in Little Valley. Nothing little about this fair. The outdoors exhibits always rival those seen at much larger fairs.
The Niagara County Fair begins Aug. 2 and goes to Aug. 6 at the fairgrounds on Lake Avenue in Lockport. Cornell Cooperative Extension and county sporting clubs provide many outdoors exhibits throughout this fair. Erie County (America’s) Fair is set for Aug. 5-10 and the Conservation Building will offer visitors views of a variety of fish species and wildlife exhibits. This year, Harold Palmer, president of the New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) will be on hand for much of the fair to celebrate NYSCC’s 75th anniversary.
Conservation Building Exhibitors have a week to submit entry forms. For details, call 649-3900, ext. 403
Wyoming County rounds out the fair circuit for the summer with events and showings Aug. 9-16 in Pike.
Walleye winners
Canadian teams scored big in the New York Walleye Association’s AmaraCan Tourney held out of Dunkirk Harbor on July 12 and 13.
Boaters, averaging four anglers per team, weighed in five fish both days and first place went to the team of Don Skellie Jr., Dan Nalepa Jr., Mike Munson, and Brian Halberg. These winners weighed in a 65.06-pound total for their five walleyes and took home a $2,600 prize.
Ivan Charrois often finishes first or well into the money. This year he teamed with brother Charles Charrois, Shawn Barrett, and Gord Clare and took $1,475 for second place with 63.08 pounds weighed for both days.
The foursome of Chris Yalowica, Ryan Waines, Ian Birrell, and Chuck Climenhage got $1,050 for their 62.98-pound total, which placed them at third among leading teams.
Biggest fish honors for both days went to Ken Klinger on Saturday for a 10.54- pound ’eye; on Sunday, Denny Baker weighed in a 9.38-pound fish to top all weights. Both anglers received $300.
Junior hunter bill help
Junior Hunter/Trapper Mentor Bill (A11033/S8228) was unanimously passed in the Senate and Assembly, but Gov. David Patterson has yet to sign it into law.
Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte (D.-Niagara Falls), co-sponsor of the bill, has gotten word that anti-hunting factions have been urging the governor to veto it.
Hunters and outdoor folks favoring youth access to big-game hunting at 14, an age older than most other states permit hunting, are encouraged to fax or call the governor’s office in support of this bill. Dennis Money, noted outdoors advocate, writes, “It’s too late for postal sends and e-mails do not count.” Money suggests submitting a polite fax to the governor at: (518) 486-9652; or a call to (518) 474-8390.
