Erie County Conservation Society

06/20/2026

Hey members:
George Rocky still has a bunch of time slots open for the Erie County Fair.
This is a good opportunity to get your work time done.
Please contact George for information.

06/18/2026

Taken from WYRK

HISTORIC Change Coming for Deer Hunters in New York State
By Clay Moden,

If you love hunting whitetail deer in New York State, there is some big news as we get ready for the upcoming deer hunting season.

Across Western New York and much of the state, deer are already growing their antlers, and early reports suggest hunters could have plenty of quality bucks to choose from this fall. But for many hunters, the biggest story isn’t the deer themselves—it’s a new regulation that could make this hunting season even more exciting.

Hunters Already Looking Ahead to Fall;

Summer officially begins this weekend, but many hunters are already thinking about cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and time spent in the woods.

There is nothing quite like sitting in a tree stand or hunting blind on a crisp autumn morning and watching a mature whitetail buck work its way through the timber. It’s one of those experiences that is difficult to describe unless you’ve lived it yourself.

While hunters continue checking trail cameras, planting food plots, and inspecting deer stands for safety, state wildlife officials have been working behind the scenes on changes aimed at managing New York’s deer population.

New York Introduces “Earn a Second Buck” Opportunity;

According to a press release from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, several regulation changes are being introduced to encourage hunters to harvest more antlerless deer, commonly known as does.

One of the most talked-about changes is a new “Earn a Second Buck” opportunity. Under the program, hunters who harvest an antlerless deer may become eligible to receive an additional buck tag.

“Under the new system, all hunters will receive a first Antlered Deer Tag which can be used during any season (with appropriate privileges) except the September antlerless season. Hunters who harvest and report an antlerless deer using a DMP, Bow/Muzzleloader Antlerless Deer Tag, or Deer Management Assistance Program Tag will be eligible to receive a second Antlered Deer Tag, which can also be used during those same seasons”.

The goal is to encourage hunters to help manage deer numbers while maintaining a healthy and balanced herd across New York State.

Hunters React to the New Program;

Many hunters throughout Western New York are already discussing the change, and reactions have been largely positive.

I know plenty of hunters who refuse to shoot does and spend the entire season waiting for the right buck to walk by. State wildlife officials are hoping this new incentive will encourage more hunters to harvest antlerless deer, helping improve overall herd management while still rewarding hunters with another opportunity at a buck.

Hunting Remains a Key Conservation Tool;

At its core, hunting has always been about conservation.

Earlier this year, a controversial proposal allowing 12- and 13-year-olds to hunt with a firearm in Erie County generated significant debate. The measure was initially vetoed by the county executive before eventually being approved by the legislature.

Youth hunting programs play an important role in the future of conservation in New York State. Participation in hunting has declined over the years, and fewer hunters can make it more difficult to manage deer populations effectively.

With proper education, mentorship, and responsible hunting practices, the future of hunting and wildlife conservation can remain strong throughout New York State.

Stay Updated Before Hunting Season Begins;

As the fall hunting season approaches, make sure you stay informed about any regulation changes that could impact your plans.

Hunters interested in learning more about the new Earn a Second Buck program should follow updates from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and continue checking for additional announcements as the season draws closer.

With summer just beginning, it may seem early to think about deer season. But for many hunters across Western New York, the countdown to opening day has already started.

Send a message to learn more

06/17/2026

This is not a Garden Center.
These plants will all be available to win at the family picnic July 19th.
From azaleas to phlox.
Much more gardening and lawn items.
If you have a green thumb, you will want to attend.

We will have Coca Cola products and drink boxes for the youngsters

06/15/2026

06/14/2026

Open Trap Shoot;
Come out and show your support and shoot some clay targets.
July 26 from 9 am to noon
$6 per round.

06/13/2026

We would like to thank everyone who help make this years “Woman In the Outdoors” a success.
From the members who prepared the grounds and those who spent all day helping Springville Strutters from the Wild Turkey Federation.
It was great to see the returning event goers as well as the instructors of the classes.
Hope to see everyone next year.

06/04/2026

Members take note:
We call ourselves a Conservation Society yet somehow we leave this sort of mess behind at the pond.
This is unacceptable.
If you bring it in, you need to take it out with you.
If you can not respect the beauty of our facility and the work of those who come out to the Work Parties to maintain the area, then maybe you aren’t the type of member we want at our club.

05/29/2026

01/08/2026

2026 UPDATE
There will be no January meeting. The next meeting is February 9, 2026.

Hunting season is over. As stated in the newsletter, all tree stands must be removed by January 10. Any left standing will be removed and become the property of the Society.

The Society has a text alert system in place for urgent club business and events. If you want to be in the system, text your cell number and carrier to Jim Leonard at 716.628.3833. You will be notified of any cancelled meetings for weather or other reasons, avoiding any unnecessary travel.
Once the new calendar is complete, we will post it on the website.

01/08/2026

With the new year here and the holidays behind us, Willie, Greg and I were able to get over to the club and install the new fryer. Willie, it proved, is a very competent plumber who did the install while Greg and I were cheer leaders offering moral support. (Don't bother asking me for Willie's number as he is not up for hire.) After the work was done and all the fittings checked for leaks with a sniffer, we filled her up with oil and fired her up. Though I didn't put her on the clock I would say she heated up to 375 degrees in about 5 minutes. Now we just had to sample our offerings. First thing to hit the hot oil was French Fries. I stocked the freezer with shoe string fries and they came out great - an appealing golden outside on a great tasting fry. Next was a couple of chicken fingers. They, too, came out beautifully done and tasted great with a medium sauce and Ken's bleu cheese. If you had been there you would have thought we knew what we were doing. The final things we tried were pizza logs and mozzarella sticks with a dipping sauce.The pizza logs were a little tricky and we found they had to be heated a bit in the microwave before going for a swim in the grease to ensure the inside was hot before the outside too well done. The three of us gave each item an A+. These things will be added to the kitchen's menu, which still contains hot dogs and burgers, and be available at the winter league archery shoots coming up later in the month as well as at our monthly meetings. I will provide free samples of each at our February meeting.