Well, I've been hearing that all my life, so this past Sunday, I did, literally. I met with the Bullthistle Hiking Club behind Howard Johnson's in Norwich at 7:45 a.m. Sixteen club members and I gathered in the parking lot, signed a waiver, and we whisked off to Whaupanaucau State Forest in our vehicles. Upon arrival, another member and his dog would meet us there.
Now mind you, my background has been a treestand hunter and boat fisherman, which equates to a little walking and a lot of sitting. My gear ranges from something akin to looking like the Michelin Man in bright orange tee shirt and sunglasses. And as long as I have something comfortable to sit on, I'm a happy camper. So, in all honesty, a hiker I am not.
It was a brisk 27 degrees at 8:20 a.m. when we assembled at the forest entrance gate. I quickly perused the members donning gear and clothing that was far from the cold weather garb I was used to. No wool parkas and heavy pac boots. Today it was wind-proof nylon jackets and pants, rubber-soled hiking boots, backpacks, walking stick,s and slip-on ice cleats. Of course, yours truly was totally unprepared for this new experience. My cotton tee shirt, sweatshirt, white waffled long johns, Wal Mart work shoes and Dollar Store polyester hat were completely unfit for even this short hike on a mild day.
But, my inadequacies aside, I had a great day on this six-mile hike led by outdoorsman and historian, Don Windsor. The rest of the group welcomed me with open arms and all were very insightful in our discussions on the trail. Enlightening me as to hiking gear, areas to hike, their varied backgrounds, the Bullthistle club and the Finger Lakes Trail. They were also a big help getting me up each time I slipped on the ice.
So, now equipped with several black and blues, catalogs from Eastern Mountain Sports, Campmor and REI and a new-found interest, I'm joining the Bullthistle Hiking Club – and you should too.
The Bullthistle Hiking Club was founded in July 2004. Current membership stands at about 100, split about evenly amongst men and women. I asked the ages of the members and was told that one member brought their one-year-old son along in a papoose, and the oldest being 94. On my hike with the club, ages ranged from 39 to 78, and let me tell you, those older guys and gals could walk circles around me. Dues are $10 per person per year; children of members are free. The club meets on the first Tuesdays of every month at the Norwich YMCA at 7 p.m.
The Bullthistles currently feature two hikes a week. Don Windsor leads the group on Sunday mornings, sometimes during the week, always within Chenango County, a different town every week. Tom Bryden leads his hikes during the week on the Finger Lakes Trail, in counties along the Southern Tier. Occasionally the club holds hikes in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and in Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Don Windsor 607-336-4628. You can also check out the upcoming hikes and find more information about the Bullthistle Hiking Club at www.bullthistlehiking.org
Watch for next week’s column when I discuss the Finger Lakes Trail and details on how to enter the "How many times will George fall on his next hike?" Contest (just kidding)!
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Crossbows have been a hot issue lately. The newly formed New York Crossbow Coalition (NYCC) has been garnering support for use of the crossbow during all seasons. As you may be aware, use of the crossbow here in the Southern Zone is currently during our regular deer hunting season and the special late muzzleloader season only. Indeed, by last season’s deer harvest of 491 statewide with the crossbow, it’s certainly not being used as a management tool. In actuality, its hardly being used at all. I mean, come on, you have a choice of taking your rifle or crossbow out deer hunting...what are you going to do?
The present law enacted in 2011 will sunset (expire) after the end of the 2012 seasons. This means that if no new crossbow legislation is passed, the crossbow will not be allowed to be used in any season in 2013 and beyond. The NYCC is working on legislation now to define the crossbow as a legal hunting implement so that DEC can regulate it in all seasons. Right now, you can't even use an crossbow to shoot carp while bowfishing. Keeping the crossbow out of any other season surely has no merit.
The man spearheading the effort to change the crossbow law to allow it during all seasons is Rich McDermott. Rich can be reached at (315) 882-1540 or email to: NYCrossbowCoalition@yahoogroups.com for more information. I might add, Rich is vice president of the Conservation Alliance of NY (CANY), and they are supportive of crossbow use in all seasons.
One last mention on crossbows here. I'd like to poll my readers and find out what you think about using crossbows in all seasons. Please drop me an email and let me know your feelings at george_franke@yahoo.com
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