NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Today is #NationalFreeShippingDay! You know what always ships free? Why, the New York State Conservationist Magazine, of course! And now through January 4, 2021, you can give the gift of reading for 50% off! This full-year subscription includes 6 big issues, plus a bonus issue, all for only $6. Check out the details and subscribe here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/conservationist.html

Harbor seals are the most abundant seals found in New York and travel here from the Canadian Arctic to feed and rest along our shores during the winter. On the south shore of Long Island, Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, Inc. (CRESLI) has recorded over 200 seals based upon unique marking patterns on their fur. They have seen multiple seals repeatedly return each year, including one long-time resident that has been seen every year for the past 17 years. M...ost seals will migrate north during the spring, and some are believed to stay here year-round. Due to inclement weather, today's #AdventureAtHome seal-watching Facebook LIVE has been postponed. Check back early next week to join us with the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, Inc. to learn more about seals in New York. More details about their mission and guided seal walks can be found on their website: www.cresli.org : Dr. Artie Kopelman, CRESLI

‘Tis the season for seal watching! Seals are found in New York from late fall until late spring. Seals can be seen hauling out, or leaving the water to rest, on sandy beaches or rocks. Hauling out helps seals regulate their body temperatures and provides opportunities for socialization with other seals. Haul outs are also essential for females when giving birth to pups. Female seals frequently leave their pups on the beach for safety while they return to the water to feed. ...Human interaction with the pup may result in the female abandoning her baby due to assumed danger, so you can rest assured that small, solitary seals are, in fact, likely to be completely healthy and simply resting. Remember to always stay at least 150 feet from seals at all times and limit viewing to 30 minutes or less. If a seal is aware of your presence, you’re too close. Stay tuned throughout this week, where we will be sharing more about seals in New York. Be sure to join Cresli for a Facebook LIVE tomorrow at ~12 pm to learn about their work researching New York’s seal populations! To learn more about #AdventureAtHome visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/120387.html Photo credit: Harold Hellman

Warm sunset light illuminates the distant summit of Whiteface on a cold and windy winter evening. Adirondack High Peaks, NY Photo by Joey Priola (@priolaphotography on Instagram)

Hey anglers! Just a quick reminderthe catch and release season for black bass (largemouth & smallmouth) begins on December 1 and ends on the Friday preceding the 3rd Saturday in June (artificial lures only) for most counties in New York, but not all. Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties and a few other waters do not have a catch and release bass season. For those counties and waters, anglers must wait until the 3rd Saturday in June to target bass. Be sure to check the Special Fishing Regulations by County webpages to see if catch and release fishing for bass is prohibited on the water you plan on fishing: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71546.html.