Author Topic: Turkey hunting in Letchworth State Park (Read 2226 times)

ou812 · « **on:** April 12, 2005, 12:03:11 PM »

Greetings all.

Anyone here ever hunt turkeys in Letchworth? I just got a permit in the mail allowing me to hunt on the east side of the park for the duration of the spring season. I'm looking for any tips on hunting in the park, areas to avoid, words of wisdom etc.

Thanks,
OU812

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:06:10 AM »

ou812 - sorry friend, I tried that once but the only turkey I saw was a social worker from the Letchworth Developmental Center and she was way to fat to drag outta there (LOL). Mikey.

ou812 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2005, 01:29:53 PM »

Mikey,

Thanks for the chuckle. Have you hunted on the east side of the park? I'm trying to find out if there is parking access mid way on the east side.

OU812

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2005, 01:20:38 AM »

ou812 - no, I haven't been there but was thinking about it once. As I recall, I went to EnCon for some of their wildlife managment area maps and found where I could park and nearby areas to hunt. Give them a try, they are on the net and provide a lot of information. HTH. Mikey.

ou812 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2005, 11:55:20 AM »

Mikey,

Thanks for the tip. I've been studying topo maps of the area, but they don't show a lot of details like the trail systems/parking areas and such. I was hoping the park had maps with that kind of detail. I'll check with the local EnCon office and see what they have.

OU812

Lee · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2005, 03:54:03 AM »

Please keep us posted about the Letchworth area hunting possibilities

There is also an area to the south called Rattlesnake Hill, anyone with some info on these please share a little, Thankst

ou812 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2005, 03:03:24 AM »

Lee,

I never made it out to Letchworth, so I can't give you any feedback on the hunting. I was all set to go. I took a week off from work, got a trail map from the park office, printed out topo maps and aerial photos of the park, and picked out a couple of likely spots to start hunting from. Then the unexpected happened. Despite cool temperatures and some light snow, the turkey action turned hot locally. Needless to say, rather than drive two hours and hunt a relative unknown I stayed home to hunt birds that were gobbling and responding to my calls.

I still would like to try hunting in the park. I deer hunt out that way a couple time a year. Ill likely apply for a deer hunting permit this fall and give it a go then if I get chosen.

As far as Rattlesnake Hill goes, I dont know any more info about that WMA than what is offered on the DEC web site here. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg8/wma/rattlesnake.html

Good luck and good hunting.

OU812

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2005, 03:18:24 AM »

ou812 - just a thought here about Rattlesnake Hill - there might be rattlers there (no kidding). You may want to check with Encon - an e-mail should do it, to see where the known and recognized rattlesnake dens are located in NYS and if there are any in the Letchworth State Park. I say this in all sincerity. Up in the Lake George area there is a Rattlesnake Mountain, which has known rattlesnakes dens, inclduing Pygmy Rattlers as I understand it. I believe they use the name 'Rattlesnake' for a reason. You may want to check on it before ya'll go thumpin' through the bush. HTH. Mikey.

ou812 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2005, 07:27:36 AM »

Quote from: Mikey

ou812 - just a thought here about Rattlesnake Hill - there might be rattlers there (no kidding). You may want to check with Encon - an e-mail should do it, to see where the known and recognized rattlesnake dens are located in NYS and if there are any in the Letchworth State Park. I say this in all sincerity...

Mikey,

I knew there were some rattlers in CNY. I live a few miles away from Cicero Swamp WMA in Onondaga county, which is home to some rare species of rattler (I believe it is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake). I didnt realize that rattlers were more widespread in NY until I bought a book this past April titled 50 Hikes in Western New York which gives some hiking info and minor details on Letchworth and other state lands in WNY. Here is a quote from the book:

"[The timber rattlesnake] is found in every New York county that borders Pennsylvania (which has a sizeable rattlesnake population). The timber rattlesnakes range extends through southwestern NY, across the southern tier, northward into the Lake George area, and into the eastern Adirondacks where quite a few rattlers are found. Another species, the Massasauga rattlesnake can be found not too far from Rochester in the Bergan swamp area. Rattlesnake Hill lives up to its name. A few rattlers can be found in the more remote areas

Great. Just what I wanted to hear. I hate snakes.

Good advice on checking with Encon for known den sites. I never would have thought to do that. That certainly does help.

Regards,
OU812

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2005, 03:00:15 AM »

ou812 - hay man, thanks for that quote. I knew there are rattlers in in NYS, and know enough to stay out of those areas, generally but dang man I had no idea they were so widespread - so much for the cold upstate NY winters and the notion that rattlesnakes prefer warmer climates.

Now I think there is a very good reason to start making up some shotshells for the old revolvers, or just carry the shotgun. Thanks again. Mikey.

Lee · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2005, 04:50:29 PM »

Thanks, for the snake comments.

Last November I was deer hunting around 8th of November close to Potsdam, NY, I saw a garter snake crawling around on top of the fallen leaves, there were small patches of snow on the ground. It was looking to find a den for the winter.

That shows that rattlers could be out at that time too, so we are not really safe from snakes during fall hunting seasons.

I have heard that the poison of a young and small rattler is more potent than an adult snake. :eek: