In this week's episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport, your humble host breaks down the anti-gun laws recently signed into law after the state legislature passed a series of pre-written, law-abiding punishing gun laws, just waiting for another tragic criminal event to use as the crisis to capitalize upon. One of the new laws requires a license top purchase and possess any semi-automatic rifle, not just the scary-looking ones, and to get the permit, you need to be age 21. DEC has issued some clarification to hunters educators, and we can expect more clarifications in the coming weeks and months, along with lawsuits over this latest attack on our God-given rights.
The legislature also passed the county opt out bills pertaining to the Holiday Hunt, but that has yet to be signed. I believe all hunters should contact the governor and urge she veto this legislation.
The statewide lead ammo ban also appears to have died in the Senate, but Jekyll and Hyde Commissioner Seggos recently endorsed the lead ammo bad, across NYS, despite zero science behind the move. Legislative session ended June 2, thankfully. New session doesn't happen until January, with hopefully a brand new senate under GOP control to get balance back to NYS.
Several dates of importance coming up, including NYS opening of bass season, Great Lakes musky season, as they both open June 15. Family Fishing clinics are also coming up, timed with the free fishing weekend in NY, June 25-26. ECFSC holds a clinic at Chestnut Ridge Park, and the East Side Angling Assn holds free fishing days at Broderick Park, foot of Ferry St., Buffalo NY on both the 25th and 26th. Events are free to all to attend.
SWA Walleye Derby is now on and runs through June 19.
July 11 is the NYSCC Golf Tournament, deadline to sign up is July 1
July 12 - CAWTILE informational meeting at SWA Clubhouse on Southwestern Blvd, Hamburg, special guest State Senator George Borrello will be on hand to discuss Lake Erie Wind Turbines.
And the Region 9 Waterfowl task force submitted a report to the WNYEF that really spells out the problems with waterfowl hunting in NY in a nutshell. This season and next round out the 5-year SDM experiment, but we must wait until the 2024/ 25 seasons for relief.
While lead ammo may still be used in NY (for now) USF&W has proposed regulation to phase out lead ammo on federal refuges, which NSSF has lodged a strong objection to as without merit nd devoid of science. Truly is. Comment period for that proposed federal rule ends August 8, 2022.
And the renewable energy front, the reality of electric vehicles is discussed, factors no one is talking about, but better be thought of and fast. After all, when all the negatives are weighed it becomes self-evident the attack on gasoline and diesel is an attack on our liberty that affordable, effective energy delivers. This is why they wish to move from gasoline stored in tanks to electric that can be controlled by government. Nothing to do with saving the planet.
And finally, a 2050-foot armor stone berm is needed to protect the 5 turbines of Steel Winds II from storm damage from Lake Erie. According to DEC, the facility is being damaged by seiches and ice shoves, impacting the access road and causing harm to the turbine foundations. If turbines on shore cannot be protected from Lake Erie storms without a rock wall, how will they protect 50 offshore turbines from the wave energy and ice?
