We Love Outdoors April 3, 2022 - Episode 14

In this week's episode of We Love Outdoors with Rich Davenport, your humble host reviews some of the goings on in wildlife, while also reflecting on the loss of longtime Outdoors Writer and friend, Gene Pauszek.  His life was about sharing the outdoors lifestyle and he was a fixture at every Chautauqua County fishing or hunting event ever held. Fishing season is hitting full stride with the opening of NY's Inland Trout season on April 1, and along with the trout opener came new regulations taking effect, including the increased minimum size statewide for crappie from 9" to 10", as well as changes to sunfish regulations, trout ponds and lakes, and season opening dates as well. Steelhead runs are in full swing on the Great Lakes streams, and Spring Turkey season is also right around the corner, opening May 1.  Be sure you remember to treat your outerwear with Permethrin, as the ticks are very active, and this time of year brings no shortage of them.  Use Picaridin on your skin to help keep the ticks away too, while also keeping some black flies at bay as well. The NYS budget is late year, but suddenly this isn't a big deal, as the delays are a result of Democrat in-fighting, as no GOP elected representative can be blamed.  Still, despite no paychecks for correction officers, public meetings are scheduled to provide "educational sessions" concerning climate justice and what a disadvantaged community is, as NYSDEC and NYSERDA celebrate their suddenly too cozy relationship, the adversarial relationship these two are supposed to take. Finally, your humble host deviates from the norm with a final segment touching on youth hunting recruitment and retention, as some believe it is the changing times that are driving lower youth interest in the great outdoors.  The real reasons may actually surprise you.